RE: *** SPAM *** Re: [sibrob] budfly

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Hi Anna Mae, and all,

Thanks for the advice on vole remedies. I do try to cut back the entire garden every early winter. This does allow the cats and my pitchfork to dispatch many of the varmints. With over 2.5 acres in plants, mainly perennials, there are plenty of places to hide, and plenty of roots to eat. This winter and last, we have delayed putting down the mulch until winter has done it’s hardiness testing. We use tree service wood /leaf/bark mulch, which is free for the hauling, and we need to apply a lot for effective weed and moisture control over 2.5 acres. Last year we were a little short and used 80 cubic yards. This year, we have 120 yards stockpiled.

Therein lies some of our problem. We do use mulch. Voles love mulched areas. In our climate, it would be nearly impossible to garden other than in rows because of year round weeds, that germinate in spring, late spring, August, and September. We also get some chickweed and other winter annuals that germinate in warm-ups in the fall.  We are in zone6/7 border, with yo yo weather all fall, winter, and spring, also giving significant frost heave and dessication, which the mulch helps to control.

Our best vole control has been Max, our 13 year old pedigreed cat. We have a young cat now too, that is learning, but is mainly good with mice. Our two other 13 year old cats are basically good  at eating cat food and sleeping!

At any rate, it is nice to not have to deal with Budfly, and only having significant insect problems with Thrips and Aphids on SI’s . Jim