Thanks to Havahart� for this guest blog post. This is useful info for all of the gardeners out there...learn how to keep those pesky little bunnies out of your garden -- safely and humanely. -- Rabbits are cute, except when they're chewing your lawn bare or destroying your garden. They can quickly become a source of headaches for any homeowner or gardener. Many build fences in attempt to keep rabbits out. However, what few realize is there is no rabbit-proof fence. Rabbits can breach just about any structure. Fencing should be considered a deterrent, not a fool-proof solution, for wild rabbits. Rabbits are especially adept at getting past fences for two key reasons: they dig and they squeeze. Although they spend much of their time above ground, rabbits build their homes underground. They have a natural tendency to burrow, which can compromise the integrity of any structure, such as walls and fences. And as anyone who ever experienced a rabbit problem in their yard knows, they multiply quickly. Rabbits can also fit through openings that appear smaller than their bodies. They are able to squeeze themselves through very small holes, typically as small as 3". Most rabbits are able to fit their bodies through any hole that their head can fit through. How to Build a Rabbit Fence When building a rabbit fence, it's important to keep in mind how rabbits behave. An effective rabbit fence is made of a material that is resistant to chewing, positioned into the ground deeply enough so rabbits cannot dig under, is tall enough to deter rabbits from jumping over, and has no holes large enough for the rabbits to squeeze through. When selecting fencing material, keep in mind rabbits will chew through just about any fence that is plastic, cloth, or wood. One material that is effective at deterring rabbits is chicken wire. To address rabbits' digging behavior, be sure to ground your fence deeply into the ground. If your stakes will be about 2" wide, you'll want to form a perimeter by digging a trench about 6" deep and 8" wide. Then, on the inside of the trench, pound the stakes in and bend the bottom 6" of the chicken wire outward along the ground to form a letter "L" shape. Finally, set the end of the fencing into the trench with the flange pointing away from your garden. Rabbits jump, so you'll want to make sure your fence is high enough. A 36" wide chicken wire will give you a 36" high fence. This should be high enough to keep the majority of rabbits from jumping over. Since rabbits can squeeze their bodies through tiny holes, you'll want to get the stakes as close together as possible. It's recommended to keep stakes at 2" or smaller. Once your rabbit fence is up, you need to check it regularly. From harsh weather to animal damage, the rabbit fence can be easily comprised. Once compromised, your garden is exposed to rabbit damage. Rabbit fences require regular maintenance to uphold the structural integrity. Alternatives to a Rabbit Fence Many gardeners prefer not to install fencing for aesthetic reasons. Chicken wire can deter from the beauty of a garden. Rabbit fences can become eyesores, ruining a once perfect landscape. And since rabbit fences require regular maintenance, they can be costly, in both time and money. A rabbit repellent is an effective alternative to garden fences. There are rabbit repellents on the market today that are highly effective at keeping the unwanted animals away from treated areas. Rabbit Repellent Improves the Effectiveness of Rabbit Fences Traditional rabbit fences are not foolproof. There is no rabbit-proof fencing. Fencing can help deter rabbits from entering an area, but do not offer 100% protection. Once a rabbit breaches a garden fence, substantial damage can be done to the plants. By using a rabbit repellent in conjunction with a rabbit fence, you are providing better protection from rabbit damage. When choosing a rabbit repellent, you'll want to consider the following: Effectiveness Economics (Cost) Type of Ingredients Small animals have a keen sense of smell, enabling them to detect potential predators and food sources. Therefore, the most effective rabbit repellents work by using scent to inflict a fear response from the animal. The smell is similar to that of a decaying animal, which rabbits recognize as a predator being nearby. They will flee the area out of fear. Before a rabbit even reaches your garden, the smell from the repellent will drive it away. In addition, the most effective rabbit repellents deter other animals, such as squirrels. An area that is prone to rabbit damage is also likely to be damaged by squirrels. Choosing a product that addresses both is wise. When considering cost, review the directions for reapplication instructions. Select a rabbit repellent that will last a long time. The top quality repellents last for 3 months before a reapplication is needed. Avoid rabbit repellents that require reapplication after every rainfall, because they are both costly and time-consuming. While the top-quality rabbit repellents may have a slightly higher initial cost, they make up for this in convenience and the peace of mind they provide. Finally, review the ingredient list. The most effective solutions for rabbits are those made with with egg. Putrescent egg mimics the smell of a dead animal, which rabbits will mistake as the smell of a nearby predator. In response to the smell, they flee the area in fear. While these solutions are very powerful to the rabbit senses, they have no detectable smell to humans once dried. There are rabbit repellents that contain chemicals. When selecting a rabbit repellent, be a conscientious consumer and choose one that is natural and organic. By choosing an organic rabbit repellent, you'll be keeping your family, pets, and the environment safe from chemical exposure. To ensure the product is organic, check for the OMRI logo on the label. Only products certified organic feature this logo on the label.

I know this was from a long time ago.... It IS caterpillar scat that has rehydrated from the water in the bowl. cater pillars "launch" it either 4 or 40 times their body length. I can't remember which. This is thought to be done to keep predators like wasps from finding their nest and larvae. I had one bounce off my head and land on the patio table. I thought it was a squirrel pellet till I noticed the lobed, extruded look to it and searched till I found what it was. Probably will not harm the animals.... It's plant matter.

I also bought a Hoover Windtunnel self propelled about 8 - 10 years ago. It worked great with an fresh bag in, but seemed to loose suction fast. I thought the machine was pretty good, and it was better than anything I'd owned up to that point. Then my daughter broke the self propelled mechanism, and that made it a drag to use, but I kept on for several more years. I bought something else, but it broke and it was still better to use the hoover than it. I finally broke down and bought a dyson animal. Was I amazed at what it sucked up. I now know that I should have been changing bags on that hoover twice each time I did a whole house vacuum. That is based on the amount of yuck I dump out of the dyson while cleaning. I don't find the weight an issue at all, but not being able to get under things is a drag. I've had the machine for about 7 years now and only cleaned it out good once, and it still sucks very well. And even sucking up things like pennies won't hurt it (no impellor). (BTW if you think the years don't add up it's because for a while I had two houses while we were trying to sell one- DH lived in one and I lived in the other, 400 miles apart). I have a few things that I still smile EVERY TIME I use them, and my dyson is one of them. I have been married over 30 years, and this is the first vacumn I've had that didn't end up being a disappointment after the first year. Every person can end up with different results - andersons loves their hoover compared to a dyson, and I think my hoover was a poor example of a vacuum compared to my dyson.

Happy 2nd birthday, Grant! Steph, I know so many people call the 2's "Terrible" but I teach a 2 year old class one morning a week and I absolutely love it! Enjoy all his questions, all his explorations, all his energy, even though it might be hard. He's learning through all of this! Have fun! Sheryl