Re: [CH] Garden pests (was Trinidad Scorpion Chile)
Robert Opersteny (docpepr@ccwip.net)
Sun, 5 Jun 2011 14:59:51 -0500
It's just the 'normal beginning of summer' down here; except for the lack of
rainfall.
Armadillo update: Although I have reinforced the perimeter, the onslaught
continues.
My 125 lb Weimaraner got a small one this morning; but the one that is
excavating my chiles must be big and smart.
One thought- Remember the John Travolta movie "Phenomenon" where he had a
"smart tumor" in the brain, and figured out that the rabbit
that had been raiding his garden was actually INSIDE the fence, hiding? No
sign of a burrow in my case, and the dog usually
finds 'em if they are hiding.
On average, I trap about 2 dozen armadillos a year with a Hav-A-Hart Trap
that is unbaited. They just walk-in along the edge of a building or fence.
The usually are attracted to recent watering and drip irrigation; and areas
where there are grubs and worms, especially during droughts.
Neighbors shoot 'em; I haul 'em across the nearby creek bridge and release
'em into a thicket.
I have tried repellents that worked for deer and rabbits, even cats and
dogs, but have never found any product that repels snuffling
and digging armadillos.
Back to a beefing-up the barrier, and dawn dog patrols!
At least we don't have a grasshopper/locust swarm this year...yet.
Bob "where's that 'dillo on the half-shell recipe?" Opersteny
----------
This is the page for the product:
http://shop.messinawildlife.com/collections/animal-stoppers/products/animal-stopper-2-5-lb-granular
They say it's good for 30 days, and I put it down last week. No new damage
to the plants. I did mix in some blood meal left from similar efforts last
year, along with the last of the red pepper powder I was putting down before
trying this repellent.
A chilehead spreads blood and pepper on the ground, and it's only June. Good
Lord, what will BYOF11 be like...