[net.garden] Squirrels and Sweet Corn

karl@vrdxhq.UUCP (Karl Nyberg) (07/15/85)

Having successfully beaten back the June and flea beetles (with Ortho
Sevin), I find myself trying to keep the squirrels away from the
developing ears of corn.  Two things I'm trying: strips of aluminum
foil or tin pans strung around the garden, and cayenne (red pepper)
shaken onto the developing ears (especially around the silks).
Anybody with any other ideas and experience in this area?  I'd hate to
lose my corn now, especially as some of the plants have turned out to
grow quite well - over eight feet high!  Thanks.-- 
-- Karl
--

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nemo@rochester.UUCP (Wolfe) (07/16/85)

> ... I find myself trying to keep the squirrels away from the
> developing ears of corn.  Two things I'm trying: strips of aluminum
> foil or tin pans strung around the garden, and cayenne (red pepper)
> shaken onto the developing ears (especially around the silks).
> Anybody with any other ideas and experience in this area? 
> -- Karl

Fresh Corn!  (Swoon)  We did not not have a squirrel problem (most likely
because they were all preoccupied with the pear tree) but I have heard
that placing paper bags over the ears (once they are fertilized, of course)
will thwart racoons.  Might work for squirrels, too.  I've also heard and
am trying this summer (on the pear tree - lot is too small for a reasonable
corn patch - sniff) placing a rubber snake or two in strategic spots to 
keep the squirrels out.  Maybe the local zoo would give you a bag of some
large predator's fecal material (maybe small predator would be better) that
you could spread near the corn (not too much, now).  Good luck and let us
know what did and did not work for you.
Nemo (there's always squirrel stew - "Yep, got a bumper crop of squirrels
	this year.  Want a few?")
-- 
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