RE: Something is eating my pumpkins Help!

First thing is to identify the critter. Then you can initiate the
corrective action. 
In the mean time, you have to keep them from eating everything you have
and at least get something set.
Try some deterrents like cayenne pepper, black pepper or any other
irritants you can think of. Of course you'll have to keep re applying it
due to plant watering but it may give you some time to figure out what
the critter is. Blood meal works on gophers as well as hoof and horn
meal. (Territorial thing).
I believe someone mentioned some kind of soap a while back for deterring
rabbits? 
You may eventually consider using a small mesh chicken wire or hardware
cloth and make a large enclosure which can later become your shade
structure by simply securing a tarp over it. It would be a lot of work
and preplanning considering you would have to plan for vine movement and
entry into the structure but you have to do what you have to do to
protect the fruit.

Bob
 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
Of BChris1335@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, July 12, 2003 8:07 PM
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Subject: Something is eating my pumpkins Help!

        I've now lost four pumpkins to damage by a critter. I'm assuming
that 
they are micebut I'm not 100% sure. I've lost all fruit on my 846 even
before 
they have a chance to be pollinated. I just lost a nice softball sized
fruit 
on my 845. I can see what appear to be teeth marks in the pumpkins. The
damage 
is on the under-surface and the 845 fruit was covered with Remay to keep
the 
sparrows out. I'd be happy to send photos is anyone is interested but
more 
importantly how do I stop this kind of damage? Been growing for five
years now in 
the same patch and have never had this kind of problem before (did have
a 
nest of mice under pumpkin once but they didn't cause any damage). I've
spread 
some Decon around on the soil around the plant hoping to kill the little

buggers. Any suggestions?

Brian Christensen
Rexburg, Idaho
P.B. 847.5 #, 2001

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