My intruder in my garden

[DangerMouse]

Ok, help me out here. I have a bandit going into my garden and causing destruction. He is really stepping it up the past week, not only does he eat the tops off flowers, but he is totally removing the plant from the garden. So far he has taken out marigolds, petunias as well as African daisies. Fortunately he has left the larger lavender bushes alone.

Creatures I have seen/know of inhabiting our back garden include squirrels, gophers and the rabbit from next door.

The little buggar came last night and ripped open a can of seeds and left a trail of silver slobber. I'm assuming rabbits wouldn't have the dexerity to tear a can but then again I am not an expert on wildlife.

So does that sound like any of the creatures I have identified or would you suspect something else? We live in an urban area so know it is nothing like deer.

[Khan]

Most likely squirrels. They dug up my neighbor's flowers and ate some of mine. They were making serious progress at chewing their way into the plastic tubs filled with bird food. They also chew holes in screens.

[jimnjana]

Get a havahart live trap and trap the critters and take it for a ride out the the country.

Jim

[DangerMouse]

Here's me thinking these cute furry little things were my friends as I gazed at them adoringly. No point trapping them as there are tons of them living in the trees in our garden. Guess I just have to deal with them taking my plants. Hopefully they leave the bigger ones alone.

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerMouse Here's me thinking these cute furry little things were my friends as I gazed at them adoringly. No point trapping them as there are tons of them living in the trees in our garden. Guess I just have to deal with them taking my plants. Hopefully they leave the bigger ones alone.

Can you build chicken wire enclosures around plants?

[bbbamI]

Maybe it's MikeD's raccoon....

It's strange, but I've never had problems with squirrels eating my plants and flowers, and we have plenty of them here.

[Khan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbbamI Maybe it's MikeD's raccoon.... It's strange, but I've never had problems with squirrels eating my plants and flowers, and we have plenty of them here.

In 2007, squirrels decided bamboo was edible.
2008, geraniums.
I think my yard has been featured in "Squirrel Gourmet:.

[WhoDaresWins]

I guess I'm lucky. I get a few chipmunks nibbling the hostas but mostly I am visited by mallard ducks.

[DangerMouse]

Nah, will let it be. I guess I can plant it and they will come. Squirrels stealing my plants isn't the end of the world. I just know to limit my efforts taking into account the banditos living the 'hood.

[Bestwifeever]

DH is trying cayenne pepper sprinkled directly on/around the bunnies' favorite plants. I don't know if it works, but he's trying it and it shouldn't hurt the critters or the plants.

[Gotadimple]

Or you could just introduce them to your wombat!

[JPatrick]

DW uses a product called Liquid Fence to repel deer from her very extensive garden areas. The product says it is for deer and rabbits.
The stuff truly works on deer and apparently all others because we have had no damage this year and we are overrun with all forms of wildlife. Yes there is a deer watching me at this exact moment, but he is eating fescue and not going near the flowers.
The stuff costs $29 per gallon and I really can't say how long the can lasts. She treats the vegetation about every two weeks. Reasonable amounts of rain do not seem to diminish the effectiveness.
Apparently the secret ingredient is putrified eggs--yes it smells just like it sounds.. She wears a mask when she sprays it and I grab a bottle of Land Shark and get far away--very far away. The strong smell only persists for an hour or so.
Worth a try..Beware of cheap imitations as they say.

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerMouse Creatures I have seen/know of inhabiting our back garden include squirrels, gophers and the rabbit from next door. The little buggar came last night and ripped open a can of seeds and left a trail of silver slobber. I'm assuming rabbits wouldn't have the dexerity to tear a can but then again I am not an expert on wildlife. So does that sound like any of the creatures I have identified or would you suspect something else? We live in an urban area so know it is nothing like deer.

If you are sure it happened at night, then I doubt it was a squirrel. A raccoon or an opossum is a more likely night raider. Squirrels (and chipmunks) are active in the daytime. Also, I hate to raise the issue, but rats and mice are more active at light. A slobbery mess: sounds like an opossum, but raccoons can be messy, too.