Anti-Rabbit Fence

IMG_2247, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

So I had been wondering what to do with some extra fencing I found on the road...and Mr. Bunny has given me a good reason to use it. Right now he might be able to make it through this, but not if he gets much fatter eating his ill gotten gains. This stuff was easy to set up and attach using a staple gun. Took about 15 minutes.

Naughty Bunny!

IMG_2251, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

Here's the little guy posing for me. He's been mowing down carrot after carrot with impunity. One day, Mr. Bunny, I will have my revenge...nope, just kidding, but I will find your hole in the wall and plug it.

Rabbit Damage

IMG_2245, a photo by Pike-uliar Gardenings on Flickr.

Here's some evidence of rabbit incursions. He seems to prefer carrot tops to lettuce. This particular rabbit is very cute and also destructive. I am going to have to double check my fencing to find how he is getting in.

PVC Pipe or Blow Gun?

IMG_1819, a photo by okfuskee on Flickr.

Hmmmm...very tempting. This could change the nature of my relationship with the local squirrel gang.

Proof of Evil

IMG_1651, a photo by okfuskee on Flickr.

Squirrels devouring our art.

Squirrels and the Evil They Do

Yes...I hate squirrels. They are evil incarnate. They randomly dig up gardens because they "feel" like it. They gnaw on pumpkins and squashes,  haphazardly destroying months of work for a few seeds. They bite tomato after tomato in search of that "just right" flavor and then they organize rodential fireman's brigades to carry the entire crop out of the garden. They laugh at me when I install motion detector activated water sprinklers. My slingshot reduces them to hysterics. True, I was using acorns as ammo, which was a somewhat ironic twist which they fully appreciated. Although merely rodents, they have caused this primate to totally revise planting patterns. No more squash and reduced tomatoes. Instead the following are favored in the garden: eggplants, peppers, carrots, lettuce, onions, broccoli, potatoes, herbs. All of these can handle the squirrel onslaught in this region. But no more will we grow monster squash vines that produce buds that get snipped off like clockwork. Those days of feeding the local squirrel brady bunch are over. Here is a partial list of other actions taken to deter the invaders:

1. Chicken wire installed at the base of fencing - ineffective, though perhaps creating inconvenient moments for them as I chase them screaming like a banshee and wielding various weapons.
2. Fox Urine - ineffective and once I left it out and they stole the lid to mock me, perhaps it provided a savory accompaniment to my green tomatoes.
3. CD's on strings twisting in the wind - the dancing reflected sunlight provided amusement to both me and the squirrels.
4. Giant Tripod built of former christmas trees with maniacally spinning wire arms at the apex- The neighbors began to notice me. The squirrels did not. However it did have a sort of Blair Witch-ian charm that I often reminisce about.
5. The ScareCrow by Contech - I had high hopes for this device. After all, if it can handle bear, why not squirrel? This one actually worked a bit and was also amusing to me. It definitely reduced incursions and helped seedlings sprout and survive. However, as the summer wore on, I noticed that the squirrels were purposely triggering it at the hottest time of the day, just to see the way the hose heated and piping hot water would wilt the leaves in the middle of the day. So...a good solution for early on, but not later. 

Next steps?

Is there any hope? Someone recently mentioned trying other kinds of urine - can't recall - coyote maybe. Or Mountain lion...that sounds promising, though perhaps difficult to acquire without injury.

I also found this recipe for anti-squirrel pepper spray which I might try despite all the bad press pepper spray has gotten lately. 

Other things to consider:

in My Empire of Dirt , Manny Howard details how he trapped squirrels in his backyard farm and was then uncomfortable with the next step and so left them to sit for a week or two. The screams and shrieks of the trapped animals proved a sufficient deterrent. Eventually he drowned them in a garbage can. Witnessing this probably helped watching squirrels make up their minds. Manny was seldom bothered going forward. Not sure I could do this one.

The husband of a friend has shot and skinned a couple squirrels. I think this was moderately successful, but I am pretty sure that would get me arrested in the highly dense area in which I live. Nevertheless, a boy can dream.

Hawk Eating Rat

hawk eating rat
Originally uploaded by okfuskee

Started seeing rats this Fall. Hired a hawk to hunt and eat them. results were mixed and slightly disturbing. At first I was worried about the hawk...if he knew his job, was he good and happy in his work. I contemplated interrupting him, but got my camera instead. The rat struggled a bit, gave the impression that he was a somewhat reluctant participant. The hawk gave him a couple head pops and a good shake and next thing I new...it was all over. See it all here in super grainy video.

Why did I have rats? Well, Living just off Columbia Pike in Southern Arlington (Yes, the better half!) presents some interesting benefits and challenges. And rats are apparently one of them. I was using one of Arlington county's $17 composters (well it was $10 when I bought it actually) and...it was just too tempting for the rats. Those things are open at the top and the the old version which I had had pretty big holes in it...and even if it didn't some of my rodent friends can chew the holes bigger anyway. This thing brought lots of visitors. Mr. Rat and Mr. Possum were my least favorite. At least there is one less rat now. Come to think of it, there is also one less possum....but that is a story for another day.