critters eating my squash /melons/strawberries / tomatoes ?

10 years ago

I have been trying to fend off the "critters" from eating my tomatoes and vegetables. Someone answered my tomato post saying that deer ate them, but that is not really possible as we have a 6-foot fence (I realize some large deer can jump a fence, but I highly doubt that is the problem). it is likely that the "critters" are deer, squirrels or voles. I don't mind what kind of critter, I just want to know what I can do to stop them. I have put up a border fence around the vegetable garden made of fishing line, I put out an owl to try to square away the crows (that seems to have worked at least a little), I have panty hose stuffed with bars of soap, i put out some shallow bowls filled with water, i have the Japanese beetle traps up, I am just not sure what else to do. I did manage to get an entire bowl of green beans, I guess these critters don't like green beans.

Thank you in advance for suggestions.

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Comments (5)

tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM
10 years ago
You can try bird netting over the squash and melons. That is my next try. In the past I have had squirrels scratch the fruit of squashes. Rather infuriating, even if some would heal over. We will likely put the bird netting over the pumpkins too. I have the netting over strawberries already, a 14 x 14 net at Wal-Mart was under $10. Wal-Mart is now out but Amazon has a variety of sizes for a respectable price. Good luck.
tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM
10 years ago
And here is a link to the netting. You can let it rest on most plants or use wire hoops (I think mine is #9 wire). I have wire over my strawberries but nothing else. I would take a picture for you but Dh has the camera and it will be a few days until I get it back. Good luck to you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bird netting on Amazon
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emmers_m
10 years ago
How big is that squash? If it's as big as it looks, I think your critter is bigger than squirrels or voles, with some pretty significant chompers. My groundhogs always go after plants, not fruit, but what about raccoon?
planatus
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If you had enough voles to do that kind of damage, you would be feeling squishy places underfoot, and running into their tunnels when you cultivate your beds. I'm wondering about rats, who can set up housekeeping in soil cavities beneath trees and shrubs. If anyone near you leaves pet food out at night, rats will come. One night of snap traps might yield some surprises. A week of snap traps will get rid of them.
kmonkey
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all for the comments. I had the squash on my counter so i could take it with me to the garden center to get help there but i won't have time until the weekend so i threw it out w/trash .... It was pretty big (10 inches ) i tried to take good pictures - it looked like something with sharp fangs or claws. - maybe one critter started eating and another came behind to get their dinner!?

I did put out some snap traps a couple weeks ago - inside a milk carton so birds and friendly creatures wouldn't get hurt - and both traps were tripped by morning with no critters but the apples were gone..... That method didn't seem to work well for me and i just don't want to hurt the wrong ones.

Thanks again for all the helpful suggestions!

I will try the netting over new growth as recommended- THANK YOU!

critters eating my squash /melons/strawberries / tomatoes ?

Comments (5)

tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM

tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM

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critters eating my squash /melons/strawberries / tomatoes ?

Comments (5)

tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM

tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM

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emmers_m

planatus

kmonkeyOriginal Author

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