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Eveleth MN

So far my biggest Pumpkin (small by most standards) is around the 50# mark on day 24 and picking up about 6-7" OTT every day. This morning I went to check it and my jaw dropped to see LOTS of teeth marks on it about the size of squirrel teeth (I've got quite a few of them around). I don't have any Captan (can't find ANY locally) to repair the damage and was wondering if there was any kind of home remedy I can put on the damaged areas? Also is there some kind of spray I can mix up that will make the surface of the pumpkin "taste bad" to critters?

7/27/2004 10:14:27 AM

I would try bleach. I had problems with mice last year and I painted bleach solution on wounds, and set out several rodent traps that were very successfull. This year I am going to put out rodent poison around my fruit before the damage occurs. You must have lots of conifers around to have red squirrels huh?

7/27/2004 12:55:53 PM

[email protected]

I'd wrap some bird netting around those pumpkins ASAP.

Hammer (no bricks allowed) stakes in the ground & use them for support.

7/27/2004 1:36:48 PM

Western Pa.

You've got to have rodent control, too many growers have lost 800#+ by not using a control! When they build a condo in your fruit from the bottom up, it's too late! Rodex works best for me!

7/27/2004 2:06:00 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Covering with a towel, sheet or blanket works well in addition to the traps & poisons.

7/27/2004 3:32:39 PM

Eveleth MN

Yep, LOTS of red/white pine around my place, about 100ft north of the patch. Those little suckers seem to know when I'm going to get the .22 rifle also. I washed the wounds with a 10% bleach solution today and I'm going to put a white sheet over it after the rain is gone today. I'm making a shade structure soon also. I even went and ordered Captan online for future use. I hope it stays together long enough to get good seed as this pumpkin is grown on a selfed 900.5 lyons which I happen to self again. Its definatly going to be a pumpkin and its got a perfect shape.

7/28/2004 2:20:44 PM

Eveleth MN

I ment sibbed 900.5 lyons, its the 534.8 Andrews 01'

7/28/2004 2:21:36 PM

Burt NY

I have chipmunk and red squirrel problems for years. last year they chewed one pumpkin you can see last years post aug 1st. this year post july 20 th fish food

7/28/2004 4:55:00 PM

Indiana

ddt

7/28/2004 5:30:50 PM

Eveleth MN

Found the bad guy.... walked out to the patch early this morning to find a WOODCHUCK sitting pretty in the middle of my patch and he was nice enough to stay there until I got back with the .22 rifle. Chucks-1 Brandon-1
On the bright side the damaged pumpkin is still putting out good wieght and I managed to get another Female to open on the same plant and I selfed this one also incase the big one dies due to chuck wounds.

7/29/2004 10:49:25 AM