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Post by imgrimmer on Aug 16, 2014 15:22:37 GMT -5
I am not sure if I am right here, so please move this post where it belongs to... today I found my corn plants this way: photoMy first guess it was a racoon, could it be? racoons are new here when I lived further south they where quite common but here...they are spreading further north. what can I do to save my plants? these are my only ones and they are for seed saving, it is josephs frosted landrace. I read about chilli powder, any idea? thanks for your help!
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Post by oxbowfarm on Aug 16, 2014 19:46:48 GMT -5
I couldn't see the photo, it requires a login and I don't want another internet password I have to remember.
Racoons love sweet corn, if you have clear ground all around the patch an electric fence wire at 12-20 centimeters off the ground would probably help. Are electric fences and fence energizers very common in Germany? If it were here in the US I'd recommend using a conibear 220 body-grip trap, but I bet those are illegal in Germany.
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Post by billw on Aug 16, 2014 21:53:27 GMT -5
Raccoon with corn on the cob makes a fine meal.
I've had good luck with the dog-proof raccoon traps. Bait them with cat food or fish and raccoons will generally go for them even when other appealing foods are available.
I had no idea that raccoons had been naturalized in Europe.
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Post by ferdzy on Aug 17, 2014 7:07:05 GMT -5
Photo shows a cob still attached to the plant, but peeled back and stripped. I would guess that's raccoon; I don't know what else would have the manual dexterity to peel back the husks so carefully, although usually they trash the plants too. In my experience anyway.
As for getting rid of them, here's my plan: large live-trap, suitably baited. Garbage bin full of water. Check trap in a.m.; if you've caught one, into the bin of water it goes. Leisurely breakfast, followed by burial rites. That's my plan. So far, our local raccoons have proven to be adept at retrieving the bait without setting off the trap. @&%#!
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Post by imgrimmer on Aug 18, 2014 6:11:35 GMT -5
I managed to attach the photo. There are other plants completely trashed, but this one is the most interesting After thinking about for a while I am sure this is made by a racoon, unfortunately I am sick and staying in bed, so I hope there is something left when I can return to the garden... Anyone has experience with chilipowder? There are only few plants so it wouldn`t be so much work. But what I am wondering about is how to bring the powder onto the ears... I definately need a electric fence! Until now the worst enemy where rabbits, they are gone after an epedemy of a very effectiv sickness. This year I saw the first rabbits since some years, so I have to check the fence again...
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Post by RpR on Aug 19, 2014 14:32:28 GMT -5
The one time raccoons got into my garden that is how they left the corn looking.
If you are in an area where .22 rim-fire is legal, it works very well.
That said, I have been using this garden for near 30 years and although raccoons live in a slough only about a quarter mile from me, they only hit me once even though in another year I saw one waddling down the alley.
That reminds me of a TV commercial now running around here as at the time my significant other said oh look at the big kitty. I said I do not think that is a kitty.
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Post by imgrimmer on Aug 19, 2014 16:20:19 GMT -5
Today I painted all ears with a mixture of oil and chili powder. I must smile when I think what will happen... Will painting I got some in my eye, you should have seen me.... I need a camera with night vision!
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Post by darwinslair on Aug 20, 2014 1:47:11 GMT -5
have goddamn herds of raccoons apparently here. and unfortunately they prefer corn to fish.
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