tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post8654856415039242219..comments2024-03-28T16:38:10.153-07:00Comments on Late to the Garden Party: Back with a VengeanceKris Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-60353759707259281942014-10-14T10:37:01.678-07:002014-10-14T10:37:01.678-07:00Wow! Your problems with raccoons make mine seem t...Wow! Your problems with raccoons make mine seem trivial. Although I occasionally see the raccoons as early as 10pm, they wait until the wee hours of the morning for most of their visits so, unless I set an alarm for nightly patrols, I miss catching them in the act. The fire extinguisher trick might make the sleep interruption worthwhile, though. Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-84509933031303559622014-10-13T22:05:55.937-07:002014-10-13T22:05:55.937-07:00I ignored the raccoons when they disassembled my r...I ignored the raccoons when they disassembled my rock waterfall weekly, and I put up with them (barely) when they pulled up vegetable seedlings – after they knocked over the very study tomato cages that I had set in place around the seedlings, but when they came in the cat door when I was out of town and made a huge mess in the house, I was done. I called the county trapper and he said if he had to come trap them, they’d be euthanized. He wasn’t allowed to play catch and release. He said get a small, kitchen sized fire extinguisher. When they come into the yard, walk toward them and spray the fire extinguisher toward them. It doesn’t hurt them but it scares the bejesus out of them. My husband did and it was months before they came back. KLWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17784619397253391460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-58092534672639494312014-10-13T20:10:48.463-07:002014-10-13T20:10:48.463-07:00I'm sorry to hear about the voles, Donna. Tun...I'm sorry to hear about the voles, Donna. Tunneling creatures have got to be very difficult to deal with - I live in fear that gophers, which plagued a neighbor last year - will find my garden one day. It's illegal here to trap and move raccoons here. I think we've got to reach some kind of understanding as to how to share the garden. Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-3561785093274710032014-10-13T20:06:32.758-07:002014-10-13T20:06:32.758-07:00The raccoons didn't do near the damage on thei...The raccoons didn't do near the damage on their infrequent visits to my old garden, Kimberly. I think the drought here may be making them desperate. (And Pipig thanks you for your appreciation.)Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-37300779139630932652014-10-13T20:04:32.782-07:002014-10-13T20:04:32.782-07:00Hordes of Killer Rabbits, Linda! It sounds like t...Hordes of Killer Rabbits, Linda! It sounds like the title of a horror flick. We all have our adversaries. I'm grateful I don't have deer, or armadillos, or killer rabbits! There are rabbits in the area but they've never but I've never seen one in my garden - perhaps the raccoons, skunks and coyotes keep them at bay. A juvenile peacock showed up here several months ago and, pretty as he was, I was glad to see him leave as they can also wreak havoc on a garden.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-32773478763486057642014-10-13T19:59:34.931-07:002014-10-13T19:59:34.931-07:00I think the raccoons have grown used to the humans...I think the raccoons have grown used to the humans occupying "their" territory, Christina - they aren't easily intimidated. I've got lights on overnight in the area adjoining the garden they like best and it doesn't deter them in the least - and one came right up to the screen door recently after I turned the light on and despite Pipig throwing herself at the screen. I'll try the Sssscat rosekraft recommended above and maybe the motion-activated sprinkler but I think my best bet is protecting the plants until they're firmly rooted. To answer your 1st question, they might dig around established plants but they don't dig those up.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-76001294486446427232014-10-13T15:12:02.658-07:002014-10-13T15:12:02.658-07:00Oh Kris I am sorry to hear about their return...li...Oh Kris I am sorry to hear about their return...like my voles they seem to never go away. We do live trap animals especially woodchucks and racoons and then release them. We have also had trappers trap and release skunks and racoons.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13420133886162844400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-10128738569257595792014-10-13T13:05:21.602-07:002014-10-13T13:05:21.602-07:00(I think I hit publish a moment ago without proper...(I think I hit publish a moment ago without properly identifying myself, so I'm giving it another go! Feel free to delete if you've already seen my original comment!)<br /><br />I did not know raccoons are so destructive! Good luck! My nemesis is the woodchucks. My husband and cats share the same feeling as yours I think. What a very cute kitty-cat you have, too!---KimberleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-10623920734288571412014-10-13T11:40:56.885-07:002014-10-13T11:40:56.885-07:00No raccoons at my place this year just hordes of k...No raccoons at my place this year just hordes of killer rabbits. Just planted four new plants that came in the mail and I think one is dead already from exposed roots. I spent much of the weekend caging new trees and shrubs to protect them from critters this winter. Spouses may be tired of our rants but other gardeners are always sympathetic!LINDA from Each Little Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02380944603357066650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-90493873838933091572014-10-12T23:47:47.973-07:002014-10-12T23:47:47.973-07:00That is so disheartening Kris. Do they do the sam...That is so disheartening Kris. Do they do the same thing to established plants? Would they be deterred by an automatic light coming on when they enter the garden? There are porcupines here that cause similar damage, plus they actually eat the roots of certain plants, especially Irises; so far they haven't managed to dig under the fences to get in. I do hope you find a solution soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-69080576634055863812014-10-12T21:10:11.684-07:002014-10-12T21:10:11.684-07:00Ha! - maybe they're angry that I've been r...Ha! - maybe they're angry that I've been removing my lawn? When we first moved in, they dug up the front lawn but, now that the lawn itself is gone, they're ignoring the open soil. One of my neighbors commented that they were making a mess of her lawn. Too bad I couldn't get them to take out mine.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-47382766563078979202014-10-12T21:07:21.096-07:002014-10-12T21:07:21.096-07:00I wonder what in the heck the raccoon wanted with ...I wonder what in the heck the raccoon wanted with the ant bait? They are natural thieves, though - here, they've carried off my garden gloves, seashells, marbles and stones left in pots, and even a filter taken from our fountain. They seem to have magpie-like tendencies.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-32898384672291277682014-10-12T21:03:56.021-07:002014-10-12T21:03:56.021-07:00I think a dog would make a big difference, Deb, bu...I think a dog would make a big difference, Deb, but my husband is adamantly opposed to getting one (he isn't even happy about Pipig) but the biggest obstacle to using a dog as a raccoon deterrent here is the active presence of aggressive coyotes. Most people keep their dogs in at night.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-18367023373690961122014-10-12T21:01:23.884-07:002014-10-12T21:01:23.884-07:00I hope so too! Some mornings I don't know whe...I hope so too! Some mornings I don't know whether to laugh or cry!Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-10033305954320456522014-10-12T21:00:48.859-07:002014-10-12T21:00:48.859-07:00Thanks for the tip, rosekraft! I hadn't heard...Thanks for the tip, rosekraft! I hadn't heard of this product. Maybe I'll try it before purchasing the motion-activated sprinkler thingy. I think you're right about the impact of the drought on local wildlife - they're desperate for food. The raccoons have been annoying at intervals in the almost 4 years we've lived here but now they've become nightly visitors.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-18358184983965182882014-10-12T20:54:59.163-07:002014-10-12T20:54:59.163-07:00I've noticed that they're less likely to d...I've noticed that they're less likely to dig in densely planted areas too, Alison. The Euphorbia are REALLY small (from 4-inch pots) so I don't think they ready to serve as a deterrents yet. The cages work fairly well - as least so far, no raccoon has torn any of those out (even if they do dig right up to the edge). Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-10328116579458154522014-10-12T20:51:28.306-07:002014-10-12T20:51:28.306-07:00I looked into organic controls and saw both milky ...I looked into organic controls and saw both milky spores and beneficial nematodes listed to kill the grubs the raccoons feed on. I ordered milky spores but, if that doesn't work, I'll definitely try the beneficial nematodes!Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-24819451902689886162014-10-12T20:44:39.115-07:002014-10-12T20:44:39.115-07:00You're right, Linda! Squirrels own my birdfee...You're right, Linda! Squirrels own my birdfeeders, even though all of mine are supposedly "squirrel-proof." I don't mind some pilferage - it's the raccoons' destruction of new plants that drives me crazy.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-60345762045232272182014-10-12T20:41:39.260-07:002014-10-12T20:41:39.260-07:00I'm sorry you're struggling with the same ...I'm sorry you're struggling with the same problem, Sue. I know they really like water and have heard folks here complain about raccoons going after their koi in ponds. Angry as I get with them, I don't think I could shoot one and I suspect another would just take its place anyway. Cars take out a lot of them along our local roads all the time but new ones keep moving in.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-66070902399943873542014-10-12T20:37:26.679-07:002014-10-12T20:37:26.679-07:00I should look into those spike mats, Tammy. My sh...I should look into those spike mats, Tammy. My sharp clay shards and prickly agave were intended to provide similar irritation. I think the clay shards did make a difference for awhile (I was told raccoons have "sensitive" paws) but I suspect their food supply is low as a result of our drought, which is causing them to become more aggressive about their foraging.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-77368609306023402602014-10-12T20:33:39.786-07:002014-10-12T20:33:39.786-07:00Ours can't get into the garbage but they do ea...Ours can't get into the garbage but they do eat fruit in season. However, I guess they don't like lemons, which is about all I have to offer at the moment. When I lived in a denser beach community, they'd show up a couple of times a year but nothing like the regularity of their visits here, which appear to be almost nightly. I'm guessing they have a nest nearby - I haven't found on our property but there's a lot of public land in the vicinity.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-81482039639905092942014-10-12T20:28:33.618-07:002014-10-12T20:28:33.618-07:00The problem with traps is what to do with a raccoo...The problem with traps is what to do with a raccoon if you catch one. Our animal control department doesn't permit homeowners to relocate raccoons and I couldn't bring myself to kill it. Chicken wire is a possibility.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-43191637629913311722014-10-12T20:25:41.304-07:002014-10-12T20:25:41.304-07:00Thank goodness we don't have armadillos - I...Thank goodness we don't have armadillos - I've heard they're awful. We do have possums but they haven't been a real problem here - I think the raccoons and skunks run this territory. A dog would be a good solution except that my husband is opposed and we have a coyote problem in the area - most people here don't leave their dogs out at night out of fear of coyote attacks, as they run in packs.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-27096321439506011242014-10-12T20:21:27.132-07:002014-10-12T20:21:27.132-07:00I can't really blame Pipig as she's not al...I can't really blame Pipig as she's not allowed out at night. I'm not sure she could hold her own with a raccoon, most of which are at least double her weight. She did throw herself at a screen door once when a raccoon was sniffing about outside - it didn't scare the raccoon in the least but neither did my yelling or clapping my hands. They're gutsy creatures.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8574540292918761182.post-47967711244221707062014-10-12T20:17:58.829-07:002014-10-12T20:17:58.829-07:00My hope, Jessica, is that once the plants are firm...My hope, Jessica, is that once the plants are firmly rooted in place, I'll be able to remove the gopher and tomato cages without losing any more plants. I can put up with cleaning up after the digging - it's the collateral damage that gets me down.Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.com