Post by Paddy by Grace on May 8, 2009 17:47:53 GMT -7
Rabbits
1. Tree guards: In fall wrap the lower portions of the trunks with commercial tree wrap, burlap, foil, or metal window screen. The wrapping should be 2' above the height of the deepest snow expected, rabbits can walk on top of the snow. Remove wrappings from the trunks in spring.
2. Sprinkle or hang cheesecloth bags of bloodmeal around plants. If sprinkled it must be redone after rain.
3. Vinegar: Soak corn cobs (cut in half) left over from a meal in vinegar for 5 minutes, then scatter throughout the flower or vegetable garden. Two weeks later soak them again in the same vinegar. You can keep reusing this same vinegar again and again.
4. Spray a tea made from cow manure and water as a repellent.
5. Soybean plants will repel rabbits or some say they attract them.
6. Onions will repel them. So will bonemeal.
7. Use red pepper, black pepper, cayenne, paprika etc. as a dust to repel. Rabbits are always sniffing so they snort this up and it sends them packing.
8. Mix 1 well beaten egg, 1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce, and 1 gal. of water. Paint this on the tree trunks to prevent munching. This will not harm the trees.
9. Plant "Mexican Marigolds" (Tagetes Minuta) and garlic in the garden to repel them.
10. Set old leather shoes (from the thrift shop) around the garden to give it that "humans are here" smell.
11. Garlic Oil Spray may help to repel rabbits.
ยท To make: Combine 3 ounces of minced garlic cloves with 1 ounce of mineral oil. Let soak for 24 hours or longer. Strain. Next mix 1 teasthingy of fish emulsion with 16 ounces of water. Add 1 tablesthingy of castille soap to this. Now slowly combine the fish emulsion water with the garlic oil. Kept in a sealed glass container this mixture will stay viable for several months. To use: Mix 2 tablesthingys of garlic oil with 1 pint of water and spray.
12. Try planting some crops that rabbits will eat instead with, we hope, the intention of deterring them from your other garden crops. Try annual crimson red clover, planted as a strip border around the garden. Now even if it is not successful as a distraction the clover will up the nitrogen content of your soil. Soybeans are said to be good munchies for bunnies but some say they act as a repellant.
13. Pepper and Glue Spray: Mix together 2 tablesthingys of ground red pepper or Tabasco sauce, 1 tablesthingy of Elmer's white glue and a quart of water. Spray as needed but not right before you are ready to harvest as the solution may be difficult to wash off your produce.
14. A good rabbit repellent is a mixture of 85% raw linseed oil, 5% household detergent and 10% water. This can be applied with either a paintbrush or small sprayer. Use as a barrier spray but not directly on plant foliage.
Cats and Dogs
1. Grind up grapefruit or lemon rind. Spread over the soil.
2. Use any thorny plant clippings like rose or raspberry canes to spread on the soil.
3. Plant some catnip or catmint in an out of the way area to keep cats away from other garden spaces.
4. There is a repellent sold at PetSmart called "Reppers" that quite a few people have said is very effective against cats.
5. Make a tea from rue and spray the boundary. Cats hate rue. Try planting rue here and there to repel them and to have some to make your own sprays. Rue is a pretty perennial herb with blue, green leaves and yellow flowers. It can cause contact dermatitis in some people. Also try planting a thick groundcover like sedum acres, hardy iceplant etc.
6. Maybe: Here's an interesting trick. Place mouse traps with the trap side down on the soil. When they are disturbed they will pop into the air and scare the intruder. The trap is already sprung when it jumps so it won't hurt the cats.
7. Dogs and cats: Some folks have had success by sprinkling bloodmeal on the soil.
8. If you can get seeds from a sweet gum tree try using them as a barrier.
9. Spread pinecones around.
10. Try spraying full strength lemon juice where they get in the garden.
11. Plant calendula (pot marigold) which repels dogs.
12. Use chicken wire or plastic mesh disguised under some mulch in garden beds. Cats can't dig so they won't (hopefully) poop.
Rat and Mice Control
1. For trapping mice: Use pumpkin seeds; you'll find that mice can't resist them! They sure are great roasted and salted, the pumpkin seeds, that is!
2. Scatter fresh or dried mint or holly leaves as a repellent. The mint works like a charm! We use it everywhere mice are a problem and they will not go near it. Smells nice too. We have had a good deal of email from folks that wrote us to say mint works great for them too!
3. Protect the bases of trees by wrapping loosely with 1/4" hardware cloth or foil. Be sure to keep any mulch pulled away from the trunks.
There is always cats as an option!
4. Don't mulch any perennials until after a few frosts. The rodents will have found a home by then and not in your mulch!
5. Encourage snakes and owls to stay near the garden to provide natural control.
6. Trap baits: nut meats, dried fruits, or bacon.
7. Plant "barriers" of perennial sweet peas (Lathyrus latifolius) which will repel mice. You will enjoy the beauty of these plants for many years to come too.
8. Spray Ropel on the plants that are being bothered by mice.
9. Keep the soil around plants bare, as mice do not like to come out in the open.
10. Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), wood hyacinth (Scilla or squill) and grape hyacinth (Muscari) are said to repel rodents. Plant a pretty spring blooming border of them to help protect your other plants year round.
11. Planting herbs with a powerful scent will repel mice. Best choices are alliums, camphor plant, dwarf elder, elderberry, euphorbias, any mints and wormwood.
12. If you are allergic to or cannot tolerate cats then there are certain dogs which will take care of mice for you. Certain terriers are well known as "ratters" and so are Italian greyhounds.
Snake Control
Snakes may seek refuge beneath buildings. If there is a gap or opening, they will enter and inhabit a building, just as house mice do. Sealing all cracks and other openings greater than 1/4 inch can prevent them from entering. Gaps beneath garage doors are often large enough to permit snakes to enter, especially young ones. In summer, snakes may be attracted to cool and/or damp places, such as beneath buildings and in basements. Access doors on crawl spaces should be inspected carefully for breaks or gaps. Use caution if you must crawl under a house or other building. Hot tub or swimming pool pump enclosures may provide cover if they are not well sealed. The dampness associated with ornamental water fountains, pools, and fishponds may also make the surrounding area attractive to snakes.
1. Burn the leaves of Comfrey, Rue, and Bay. Scatter where snakes are.
2. A barrier of "Flowers of sulfur" may repel snakes. This should be available at local drugstore or pharmacy and is also known as elemental sulfur. We have heard of this being used successfully where copperheads are a problem.
3. Wormwood: this herb when dried and scattered around may repel snakes. Planting a barrier of wormwood plants is another method. A perimeter spraying of wormwood tea may help.
4. Spray ammonia around the snakes hole to repel, then later fill them in with dirt.
What can be done for snake bite initial first aid?
DO Try to calm the victim.
DO Gently wash the area with soap and water.
DO Apply a cold, wet cloth over the bite.
DO Transport victim to the nearest emergency facility for further treatment.
What should NOT be done after a poisonous bite?
DON'T apply a tourniquet.
DON'T pack the bite area in ice.
DON'T cut the wound with a knife or razor.
DON'T use your mouth to suck out the venom.
DON'T let the victim drink alcohol.
Squirrel Control
1. Bulbs: soak them in Ropel before planting and squirrels will leave them alone. You can also dust them with medicated baby powder.
2. Put sheet metal collars on trees to keep them from climbing the trunks. Prune back any access limbs also.
3. To keep squirrels from the bird feeders in winter try growing witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. It can be grown in the East and Midwest. They grow underneath trees and can continue blooming into December. The flowers form a seed pod that will eventually shoot out the seeds on the ground which supplies squirrels with some winter forage.
4. Sprinkle pepper or paprika around squirrel prone areas.
5. Using any type of "sticky barrier" can be effective as the squirrels' hate the sticky feeling on their paws.
6. For pole type bird feeders: grease the pole with petroleum jelly. They will get the message pretty quick and go elsewhere for goodies.
7. Learn to get along with them. We have squirrels who do get into the bird feeders but in general cause no trouble at all! In 15 years they have dug up some bulbs one time and that is it!
8. Plant Fritillaria imperialis bulbs in the area of plants that you want to protect. Supposedly they have a particular smell that squirrels and chipmunks find repulsive. They are certainly beautiful plants and a great addition to your garden!
9. Beware that water features will attract squirrels and chipmunks too!
10. To keep squirrels and chipmunks from bulb plants- soak them in Alum water before planting.
1. Tree guards: In fall wrap the lower portions of the trunks with commercial tree wrap, burlap, foil, or metal window screen. The wrapping should be 2' above the height of the deepest snow expected, rabbits can walk on top of the snow. Remove wrappings from the trunks in spring.
2. Sprinkle or hang cheesecloth bags of bloodmeal around plants. If sprinkled it must be redone after rain.
3. Vinegar: Soak corn cobs (cut in half) left over from a meal in vinegar for 5 minutes, then scatter throughout the flower or vegetable garden. Two weeks later soak them again in the same vinegar. You can keep reusing this same vinegar again and again.
4. Spray a tea made from cow manure and water as a repellent.
5. Soybean plants will repel rabbits or some say they attract them.
6. Onions will repel them. So will bonemeal.
7. Use red pepper, black pepper, cayenne, paprika etc. as a dust to repel. Rabbits are always sniffing so they snort this up and it sends them packing.
8. Mix 1 well beaten egg, 1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce, and 1 gal. of water. Paint this on the tree trunks to prevent munching. This will not harm the trees.
9. Plant "Mexican Marigolds" (Tagetes Minuta) and garlic in the garden to repel them.
10. Set old leather shoes (from the thrift shop) around the garden to give it that "humans are here" smell.
11. Garlic Oil Spray may help to repel rabbits.
ยท To make: Combine 3 ounces of minced garlic cloves with 1 ounce of mineral oil. Let soak for 24 hours or longer. Strain. Next mix 1 teasthingy of fish emulsion with 16 ounces of water. Add 1 tablesthingy of castille soap to this. Now slowly combine the fish emulsion water with the garlic oil. Kept in a sealed glass container this mixture will stay viable for several months. To use: Mix 2 tablesthingys of garlic oil with 1 pint of water and spray.
12. Try planting some crops that rabbits will eat instead with, we hope, the intention of deterring them from your other garden crops. Try annual crimson red clover, planted as a strip border around the garden. Now even if it is not successful as a distraction the clover will up the nitrogen content of your soil. Soybeans are said to be good munchies for bunnies but some say they act as a repellant.
13. Pepper and Glue Spray: Mix together 2 tablesthingys of ground red pepper or Tabasco sauce, 1 tablesthingy of Elmer's white glue and a quart of water. Spray as needed but not right before you are ready to harvest as the solution may be difficult to wash off your produce.
14. A good rabbit repellent is a mixture of 85% raw linseed oil, 5% household detergent and 10% water. This can be applied with either a paintbrush or small sprayer. Use as a barrier spray but not directly on plant foliage.
Cats and Dogs
1. Grind up grapefruit or lemon rind. Spread over the soil.
2. Use any thorny plant clippings like rose or raspberry canes to spread on the soil.
3. Plant some catnip or catmint in an out of the way area to keep cats away from other garden spaces.
4. There is a repellent sold at PetSmart called "Reppers" that quite a few people have said is very effective against cats.
5. Make a tea from rue and spray the boundary. Cats hate rue. Try planting rue here and there to repel them and to have some to make your own sprays. Rue is a pretty perennial herb with blue, green leaves and yellow flowers. It can cause contact dermatitis in some people. Also try planting a thick groundcover like sedum acres, hardy iceplant etc.
6. Maybe: Here's an interesting trick. Place mouse traps with the trap side down on the soil. When they are disturbed they will pop into the air and scare the intruder. The trap is already sprung when it jumps so it won't hurt the cats.
7. Dogs and cats: Some folks have had success by sprinkling bloodmeal on the soil.
8. If you can get seeds from a sweet gum tree try using them as a barrier.
9. Spread pinecones around.
10. Try spraying full strength lemon juice where they get in the garden.
11. Plant calendula (pot marigold) which repels dogs.
12. Use chicken wire or plastic mesh disguised under some mulch in garden beds. Cats can't dig so they won't (hopefully) poop.
Rat and Mice Control
1. For trapping mice: Use pumpkin seeds; you'll find that mice can't resist them! They sure are great roasted and salted, the pumpkin seeds, that is!
2. Scatter fresh or dried mint or holly leaves as a repellent. The mint works like a charm! We use it everywhere mice are a problem and they will not go near it. Smells nice too. We have had a good deal of email from folks that wrote us to say mint works great for them too!
3. Protect the bases of trees by wrapping loosely with 1/4" hardware cloth or foil. Be sure to keep any mulch pulled away from the trunks.
There is always cats as an option!
4. Don't mulch any perennials until after a few frosts. The rodents will have found a home by then and not in your mulch!
5. Encourage snakes and owls to stay near the garden to provide natural control.
6. Trap baits: nut meats, dried fruits, or bacon.
7. Plant "barriers" of perennial sweet peas (Lathyrus latifolius) which will repel mice. You will enjoy the beauty of these plants for many years to come too.
8. Spray Ropel on the plants that are being bothered by mice.
9. Keep the soil around plants bare, as mice do not like to come out in the open.
10. Daffodils (Narcissus spp.), wood hyacinth (Scilla or squill) and grape hyacinth (Muscari) are said to repel rodents. Plant a pretty spring blooming border of them to help protect your other plants year round.
11. Planting herbs with a powerful scent will repel mice. Best choices are alliums, camphor plant, dwarf elder, elderberry, euphorbias, any mints and wormwood.
12. If you are allergic to or cannot tolerate cats then there are certain dogs which will take care of mice for you. Certain terriers are well known as "ratters" and so are Italian greyhounds.
Snake Control
Snakes may seek refuge beneath buildings. If there is a gap or opening, they will enter and inhabit a building, just as house mice do. Sealing all cracks and other openings greater than 1/4 inch can prevent them from entering. Gaps beneath garage doors are often large enough to permit snakes to enter, especially young ones. In summer, snakes may be attracted to cool and/or damp places, such as beneath buildings and in basements. Access doors on crawl spaces should be inspected carefully for breaks or gaps. Use caution if you must crawl under a house or other building. Hot tub or swimming pool pump enclosures may provide cover if they are not well sealed. The dampness associated with ornamental water fountains, pools, and fishponds may also make the surrounding area attractive to snakes.
1. Burn the leaves of Comfrey, Rue, and Bay. Scatter where snakes are.
2. A barrier of "Flowers of sulfur" may repel snakes. This should be available at local drugstore or pharmacy and is also known as elemental sulfur. We have heard of this being used successfully where copperheads are a problem.
3. Wormwood: this herb when dried and scattered around may repel snakes. Planting a barrier of wormwood plants is another method. A perimeter spraying of wormwood tea may help.
4. Spray ammonia around the snakes hole to repel, then later fill them in with dirt.
What can be done for snake bite initial first aid?
DO Try to calm the victim.
DO Gently wash the area with soap and water.
DO Apply a cold, wet cloth over the bite.
DO Transport victim to the nearest emergency facility for further treatment.
What should NOT be done after a poisonous bite?
DON'T apply a tourniquet.
DON'T pack the bite area in ice.
DON'T cut the wound with a knife or razor.
DON'T use your mouth to suck out the venom.
DON'T let the victim drink alcohol.
Squirrel Control
1. Bulbs: soak them in Ropel before planting and squirrels will leave them alone. You can also dust them with medicated baby powder.
2. Put sheet metal collars on trees to keep them from climbing the trunks. Prune back any access limbs also.
3. To keep squirrels from the bird feeders in winter try growing witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. It can be grown in the East and Midwest. They grow underneath trees and can continue blooming into December. The flowers form a seed pod that will eventually shoot out the seeds on the ground which supplies squirrels with some winter forage.
4. Sprinkle pepper or paprika around squirrel prone areas.
5. Using any type of "sticky barrier" can be effective as the squirrels' hate the sticky feeling on their paws.
6. For pole type bird feeders: grease the pole with petroleum jelly. They will get the message pretty quick and go elsewhere for goodies.
7. Learn to get along with them. We have squirrels who do get into the bird feeders but in general cause no trouble at all! In 15 years they have dug up some bulbs one time and that is it!
8. Plant Fritillaria imperialis bulbs in the area of plants that you want to protect. Supposedly they have a particular smell that squirrels and chipmunks find repulsive. They are certainly beautiful plants and a great addition to your garden!
9. Beware that water features will attract squirrels and chipmunks too!
10. To keep squirrels and chipmunks from bulb plants- soak them in Alum water before planting.