hot pepper wax I suspect that actually will help, although you'll probably have to be faithful about reapplying it as often as the label recommends. Squirrels can taste capsaicin just like we can, so they will be repelled by the hot pepper sensations. Those who contend with squirrels eating birdseed intended for birds sometimes pre-mix the birdseed with chili powder, because squirrels can taste the heat, but birds can't (thus it gives the squirrels a reason to avoid that bird feeder while the birds don't notice any difference at all). Oh, assuming you are successful at getting the squirrels to avoid your new climbing rose, I suspect that once you do that this year you'll find that in the future you will have far fewer squirrel problems with this rose, and may very well have no problems whatsoever. I had problems with my Fragrant Cloud and Paul Shirville hybrid teas the very first year I planted them, but after I noticed trouble I sprayed the area with fox urine and after that had no further problems. That was a few years ago and I've had no problems since then. I guess the squirrels lost interest and look for other sources of food. It may be that once the rose and its thorns ("prickles" is the more proper term) are established the squirrels no longer want to bother with it as a food source as long as there are enough other sources of food around for them.

Yup, you have rodents. It could either be squirrel, rabbit or mice/rats. All create the same symptoms. There is one on the hill out back who loves anything I put there. I have "affectionately" named it "Purina", in hopes it will soon become either "finally useful" as fertilizer or as coyote chow. I accidentally discovered it LOVES Queen Palm Fronds. I cut some which were discolored and left them on the ground for later removal. Purina chowed down on them like a crack addict on fresh crack! LOL! I wish I had soaked them with something poisonous! Yes, Ingrid, scent is the primary deterrent to the vermin. Most herbivores rely primarily on their sense of smell for protection. They avoid strongly scented plants because it "jams their radar" by preventing them from smelling predators. When I worked in Pacific Palisades, deer were the worst problem. One client had a well fenced rear garden which had full access down one side he couldn't fence because the Fire Department required access in case of emergency. The deer used it nightly to eat his smorgasbord. There was a long run, about ten feet wide and with nearly full sun. I suggested planting a dense hedge of rosemary on both the fence and house sides the full length of the run. It allowed access to the rear area but created a "no fly zone" for the deer. The rosemary scent was so strong, they didn't even try to venture in to forage. Another found just planting rosemary, lavender and santolina at their driveway and front walk kept the deer from entering through their fences. There wasn't enough room for them to jump the fences and the front sidewalk and curb were too close to jump out, so the animals just didn't come in, though they had browsed their front garden for many years. Planting stinky and toxic plants at entrances and as a buffer around valued plants can many times prevent them from being "on the menu", as long as you have enough room, they're climatically suitable and YOU can tolerate them. I've never had any success in planting things just for the rabbits and squirrels. Providing them resources trigger then to reproduce in greater quantities so there are MORE of them. And, once they find good eats, they seem to invite all their friends and relatives! LOL!

Birdsong: I can certainly understand why you feel the way you do. In fact, I agree with your views 100%. I am saddened that we are all in the position of losing our tempers because this issue is so near and dear to our hearts, and we always feel that we are losing the battle (especially when facing the approaching season of Chemlawn ads). I think I pointed out to Dil in one post why we all feel as strongly as we do: . . . I have often seen posts on this board seeking information on how to lure and feed deer, raccoons, etc. only to later see the same people here seeking a solution when the natural reaction has created a nuisance. . . . so you can see why people develop strong opinions about this issue. However, after spending a couple of years reading, I believe that we all have a unique opportunity here. This kind of board gives us the opportunity to debate these ideas online for many people to read. I like to think that there are other people out there, like Dil (and probably each one of us at one time or another), who are similarly fertile ground. I think that when we do lose our tempers and get sharper than we want to, our argument loses power. I'm as guilty as anyone of losing my temper in this thread, but the amazing thing about Dil is that he hung in there. I personally think that takes a pretty big person . . . not to mention that Dil has promised to try to explain his new understanding to his neighbors. He won't win them all over, but he may convince a few. What more can we ask for? Afterall, what we are asking for is a paradigm shift. Our culture values making money and personal enjoyment above and beyond all else. So, we are asking for deeply-rooted cultural ideals to change. That won't happen overnight. Maybe I'm being way too optimistic, but I think if people did understand the common sense of it, some of them wouldn't do the things they do. The only way to hope to change people's opinions is to debate them respectfully. So, while I understand where your anger comes from, I hope you will rethink your approach. You obviously understand the issue clearly and have some valuable insight to add.

Great pic Oakley! Your cat looks very interested! Moccasins are BAD. I do think they are temperamental snakes! You better get some cilantro planted around those tomatoes! That bull snake would scare me too! I meant to say oak...don't know why I typed walnut trees! Bethpen that is so scarey!!! I would have almost died too! I cannot imagine a snake flying out at me! I used rags to scoop the snakes up. The only one that tried to bite was the baby snake stuck on the painters tape. It was hard to get off. It kept snapping at me. I didn't want to touch it and I was trying to bend the tape so it could get itself off. It finally did and slithered outside. I think snakes are interesting but I don't like them enough to touch them or ever want one for a pet. For whatever reason, I always seem to run into snakes. People who lived in AZ have told me they have never seen a rattler their whole lives. I stopped counting at 35 my first summer mtn biking here. I almost stepped on a huge one when my gears malfunctioned one night. I was VERY lucky it didn't strike as it was PO. Twice when I was small, I ran into rattlers in the desert that were angry and ready to strike. My grandfather had to shoot them with his pistol. Another time I ran into a huge King snake. He actually caught it with his bare hands to show me it was harmless. When I was little we moved to NC so my stepdad could go to duke law school. I found a baby snake on the side of the road and put it in my overalls pocket. I forgot about it until dinner. I remember my mother dropping dishes when I pulled it out of my pocket. It was alive and probably quite happy in my pocket. It was a copperhead.