Rodent control, reminder for newbies

[Kelby]

Lots of newer folks on here, just wanted to remind people to be vigilant for small rodents.

Mice and voles can decimate plants, in ground and in storage. I've seen them go in the bottom drainage hole on pots and eat all the roots as well as girdle the trees by eating all the bark at ground level. Trees can survive girdling, but it sets a you back at least 1 year.

I personally set up snap traps baited with peanut butter all around my potted plants in the garage. Caught one mouse already this year and it's not even cold yet. Last year I caught 3 or 4.

Rats are worse, Harvey can attest to this!

[rayrose]

Rabbits are just as bad.

[aphahn]

This is your fig tree on Voles...

[COGardener]

Oh dang! !!

I'm real glad I don't have that problem in my neighborhood.

[JohnnyK]

An indoor/outdoor cat works great also. My neighbors and I haven't seen a rabbit, mouse, or vole in years. My little guy is on patrol multiple times daily, and nothing slips past him.

[COGardener]

I have a falcon that likes my back yard for some reason along with a bull snake that took up residence last year.

Of course the bull snake does nothing over the winter, don't even know where he (yes a male. .. I checked) is hibernating.

I have seen the Falcon eating a mouse in my backyard, do not know if he caught it in my yard or was simply eating it in my yard. Also see the occasional owl sitting in the trees surveying.

So fortunately, my yard and home stay virtually rodent free.

[aphahn]

We have falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls. Want birds of prey? Get chickens! Now if only I could attract a bull snake. If you happen to end up with babies, I'll give you all the cuttings I'm rooting... oh wait...

[Gardencrochet]

Cat's are the best inexpensive solution for any rodent problem.

[COGardener]

Cats aren't bad. ... snakes are better!!!

Or a big monitor lizard!!

[Gardencrochet]

Monitor lizard bites are poisonous. You'll have to run every time you harvest figs. Hopefully it leaves you some figs for you to enjoy!

[COGardener]

That is 100% incorrect!!!!!

The only lizards in the world with venom are the Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard, which are virtually the same thing. The Komodo dragon can kill with a bite not because of venom yet due to the presence of bacteria in their mouth from their diet. When raised in captivity this is not an issue.

[Gardencrochet]

[COGardener]

A savannah Monitor eating a fig does not surprise me, they are far less picky than other monitors. Plus being raised in captivity their condition to eat nearly anything that they are given by their owners.

[cjmach1973]

last year was the first year we had problems with rodents. They had lots of snow to hide under. We had over 110 inches last year. This year we haven,t had snow yet, so the cats can do their job.

[Kelby]

There are 3-4 strays in my neighborhood. They are lazy.

[jrdewhirst]

would mothballs work to repel them?

[Tonycm]

Rodents do not like garlic. I have a bad vole problem and this has worked the past few winters. Grind garlic in a food processor with some water to form a spreadable chunky paste. Use rubber gloves, to keep your hands smelling too much, rub the garlic on the trunk and branches and pour some watered down garlic mix into the soil. No worry about poisoning pets or your trees.