posted on July 24, 2004 04:10:15 PM new Profe, Raccoons! That may explain the tomato that we found in the middle of the yard that was almost eaten! We have lights that go on when someone walks acorss the yard and the light was turned on this morning. Thanks for that info.
Wow...over 15 raccoons in 18 nights?? Maybe my husband has a good idea after all.
neroter It hasn't rained for a long time here and I think the birds are just thirsty.
posted on July 24, 2004 04:39:38 PM new
Helen, try dish soap and a water spray... it won't harm the fruit but may disuade the eating... I know it works on bugs for corn plants.
posted on July 24, 2004 04:56:00 PM new
Good idea too, KD...! Thanks. I think tomorrow I'm going to have some angry birds...they look like mocking birds...black with white wings. I sat out a bowl of water today and they wouldn't go near it.
posted on July 24, 2004 06:18:37 PM newMaybe my husband has a good idea after all.
It can be a tough call, but I wouldn't argue with him out of hand. Around here, standard ranch attitude is, if a critter comes on your place, kill it. I was raised differently and we don't operate that way. I like the critters (except for the raccoons; nasty, greedy, foul tempered little mini-bears) and I'll go out of my way to discourage them rather than kill them. If they persist in messing with my food supply though, I will eventually come around to a center fire solution.
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posted on July 24, 2004 06:48:37 PM new
"center fire solution" I like the sound of that but I'd rather not kill anything either. The poor little guys just want a few vine ripened tomatoes. You can't blame them for that.
posted on July 24, 2004 07:32:55 PM new
Helen, I have "disposed" of many raccoons over the last 30 years but I view them a little differently and you may, too, when they start wrecking everything in sight. This includes prolific pooping all over anything, destroying bird houses, feeders, ....and the squabbling and screeching in the middle of the night !!!
And you definitely don't want to corner or surprise one or have your dog tangle with one....not all dogs can kill them.
I found killing them is the only way to get rid of them. Sorry!
posted on July 24, 2004 08:05:02 PM new
Well, I have a Labrador retriever but he is probably afraid of raccoons.
I have been feeding the birds which may be a mistake with these creatures in the neighborhood. Based on the little damage so far, I doubt that there are very many so far but they do sound vicious! If they turn the motion sensor lights on again tonight I'll have to come up with a serious solution. Thanks for the information crowfarm!
posted on July 24, 2004 09:17:20 PM new
We use a pellet gun to discourage cats, possums, etc. Doesn't shoot beebees, but rather largish biodegradable pellets in the shape of small cylinders. They pack a nice punch, but don't harm the animal. Since we started there are many, many fewer little trespassers.
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Birds eaten tomatoes, huh? That is a strange one to deal with! I didnt even know birds liked tomatoes! 