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July 2, 2009
Window Garden Predator?
My herb garden is on my fire escape in window boxes [3 of them] and something is digging up the plants and tossing them aside. My friend says mice or squirrles or [ick] rats. Any hints on keeping them away?
Comments
It is squirrles. Try "Dried Blood" available with the fertilizer in any good garden center. I keep it in a large shaker and apply after each rain (gets washed away). Smells like a predator to the squirrles.
Other suggestion: shotgun!
Posted by: SenatorStreet at July 2, 2009 10:59 AM
It's not rats, the little critters doing the digging in your window boxes are squirrels... they bury their acorns
in the dirt, at least that's what I see them doing in my planters.
I have tried everything, but can't seem to find anything safe or effective to keep the cute furry critters out.
I'll tune in later to see if anyone has any good ideas!
Posted by: bren at July 2, 2009 11:01 AM
I use cayenne—same idea as SenatorStreet's suggestion, and same need to reapply after rain. Dried blood adds nitrogen, so have to be judicious with how much you're using. Depending on what you're growing, you can also lay chicken wire. I have heard that spreading diatomaceous earth can be effective, because of it's abrasive quality, but I've never tried it.
Posted by: vinca at July 2, 2009 11:25 AM
D.E. works for slugs. I use mothballs vs. squirrels - just put 2 or 3 about an inch into the soil - 6 inches apart.
Posted by: Arkady at July 2, 2009 12:54 PM
Any ideas on how to keep either Dogs or ferel Cats away ???
Posted by: SenatorStreet at July 2, 2009 12:58 PM
Any ideas on how to keep either Dogs or ferel Cats away ???
20 gauge double barrel...KIDDING!
Posted by: Action Jackson at July 2, 2009 2:37 PM
I've seen feral babies do this too.
Posted by: diego at July 2, 2009 2:45 PM
You may be breaking the law. It is against the NYC fire code to have anything on a fire escape. They are to remain clear at all times so as not to impede the emergency exit or get in the way fore fighters using them to access apartments. The FDNY will fine the building if they see planters on a f.e.
Posted by: Minard Lafever at July 2, 2009 2:53 PM
Many people think cayenne is cruel. I considered using it to keep the cats from destroying the garden. But I did some online research and found folks claiming that it is excruciatingly painful in the eyes and that there have been instances of cats scratching their eyes out. Decided I could handle the cats in the garden after reading that.
Posted by: jefrey at July 2, 2009 3:11 PM
Cayenne - what a good idea! Might keep those stray cats from pissing and sh**ing in my garden!
--> sender9999: don't give "Minard Lafever" your address - sounds like he may call the feds on you - lol
Posted by: SenatorStreet at July 2, 2009 4:02 PM
Two words: Carl Spackler
Posted by: East New York at July 2, 2009 4:48 PM
I've tried everything and what worked best is pieces of wire fencing - like chicken wire but stiffer. I got a big roll in HD for under $20 - you can probably get less. It cuts easily with a cheap wire cutter. Lay it on top of the soil and they can't dig. You can bend the ends and push them into the soil so they can't push it aside but I rarely find that necessary.
Posted by: jfss at July 2, 2009 9:31 PM
Jefrey: I googled cats and cayenne after reading what your wrote, but did not find anything other than the same anecdotal recitation. I've had plenty of cats—some have gotten pretty dinged in fights, but not one has scratched an eye out. Have to say it strikes me as an urban legend. The smell of cayenne is quite potent; enough to keep an animal from traipsing through treated areas. What does concern me in the recommendations above is the use of mothballs. Definitely a powerful odor, but highly toxic if ingested and likely to kill beneficial soil insects. As to slugs, my default is the old standby of a saucer filled with beer close to ground level. Some people say coffee grounds are effective against both cats and slugs. Another one I've never tried, and again an issue with nitrogen.
Posted by: vinca at July 2, 2009 10:57 PM
"I've seen feral babies do this too."
I had a good laugh with that one! unfortunately, I have had a few stinkers pull up my "pweddy fwowers" ! :)
Posted by: bren at July 3, 2009 7:50 PM
i don't have any cumin, but i have a big tub of taco-mix so i will try that...
will keep you posted...
illegal, shumegal...
Posted by: sender9999 at July 4, 2009 1:03 AM
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