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Location

Message

Date Posted

St. George, NB Canada

I have reached the moment of truth. My pumpkin "Monster Mark" has been nibbled on one end, not huge but a definite quarter-sized chunk removed.

One option is to harvest now. Growth has slowed way, way down. Option 2 is to treat it with something that makes it taste bad. But one way or t'other I gotta do it today. Any ideas?

My best guess is a skunk, cause I smelled one in the air last night. But it could just as easily have been a raccoon, squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit, porquipine or maybe pecking from a bluejay. I've pretty much eliminated my nearby goldfish as suspects, and I don't THINK it was a jealous grower. Bill C. in 'Critterville Valley'.

9/22/2001 11:00:29 AM

Western Pa.

Opti,

Sprinkle a little cayenne pepper powder on your pumpkin,and the critter will not be interested. If you mix it up with a little raw egg, (add some garlic for good measure) and apply it will "stick" better. I don't think the critter would go for the taste of sulphur powder either, which would also be excellent to treat the wound. I use rodex all season for critters, and so far have found 2 dead opossums.

kilr

9/22/2001 12:14:07 PM

Ga.

Bill,,,move to Ga.,,lol,,we got critters,,but only a few..Enough of woods here for them to stay in,,Thank Goodness....I wouldnt want any of what kilr suggested,,wow,,what a bad taste that will leave,,and hot too...

9/22/2001 12:58:01 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

Chicken wire around the pumpkin.

9/22/2001 2:33:32 PM

Long Island,New York

Dont harvest now...give it a chance to heal over and it will last a whole lot longer than if you cut it now. Coat with fungiside dust and sevin dust..put fan on it and protect it from critters....cage of chicken wire, a blanket works good......G

9/22/2001 4:02:04 PM

St. George, NB Canada

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to let it grow. For tonight I've covered her with a large piece of very heavy plastic, pushed in around the sides. Tomorrow I'm going to go with all of the advice. Especially like Kilr's recipe, and think I'll use the chicken wire as well, just in case rain washes away the cayene, and treat the wound.

Also have to think long term since I'm going to run into this problem again, and if its raccoons especially you have to be very determined to discourage them when they decide to go after something.

Jeff, we have so many critters if you go outside and stand still at night, you inevitably can hear something moving through the brush close by. The kids are used to it because they don't know any different, but it gives my wife and I the willies. Bill C.

9/22/2001 7:45:00 PM

Greencastle, PA

you guys beat me, I was going to say peper spray and chicken wire. I'll get ya next time. lol.
Tom

9/22/2001 11:00:06 PM

Greencastle, PA

AND YOUR LITTLE DOG TOO. HA HA HA. lol

9/22/2001 11:00:37 PM