So, I am back again complaining about the deer and the rabbits. And the red squirrels. And chipmunks. All very destructive animals. Not just to your yard, but to your home. Just ask me or anyone who has had these destructive squirrels and chipmunks find their way into your home. They actually chewed through the cement foundation wall!
The deer were not supposed to eat sedums. So I planted them in the front yard. Now, they love sedum. And they even left a huge pile of deer poop next to them. Disgusting, to say the least. Last year I cut down the hedge in the back of my fence after they destroyed everything below four feet - the browse line.
My backyard is fenced to keep them out. Unfortunately, the rabbits have found a way to tunnel under the fence. So, I closed it up. I go outside the other day to see some hostas literally torn to pieces. By what? So, yesterday, while standing in my kitchen, I see a rabbit in the yard. I go to chase him out and I see him jump through the shadowbox fence. How is that possible?
Well, here is how.
My trapper guy says that it is next to impossible to get them into a live trap, you have to use a leg trap, which he will not use. Where is Katniss Everdeen when I need her? The other idea is to get a dog. But a terrier would likely do nearly as much damage running through the plants to get the rabbit. I know. I have owned several dogs.
Another problem is voles. They destroy the crowns of plants. I read online that in some states it is illegal to kill voles. Really? They serve what purpose? And one pair can produce 100 offspring in one year?
And I am not the only one suffering. I saw a garter snake in the flower bed - minus the end of his tail. I wonder who did that to him? Actually, snakes I do not mind. And I have toads all over the place.
I love my yard. But I am just about ready to move into a condo and let someone else deal with the animals. This is getting beyond ridiculous.
In our old house we had a real problem with voles. We also had a cat that would bring us at least one dead one every morning! Now I don't let our cats outside so they wouldn't help! My daughter had a rabbit literally chew the stem of her clematis plant off right at the ground!
ReplyDeleteYes. I have a dead clematis in the yard among other things. There was a feral cat wandering around here in the spring. I cut the lawn a few weeks ago and found a dead vole in the grass. Probably from the cat.
DeleteIt does seem like you are being over run by the animals. Its a no win problem too. Anything you do will not be a pleasant experience I fear.
ReplyDeleteBetty
Yesterday one of my neighbors was replacing damaged boards on his outside wall. His next door neighbor thinks feeding the critters is a good idea.
DeleteWell I am certainly an advocate for apartment or condo living. Never been a gardener although I do enjoy an attractive garden. As for keeping all the animals away, I don't know what you do, it sounds like you are feeding the critters, albeit unintentionally. I agree with you about predatory animals. After all, we humans are the biggest predators of all.
ReplyDeleteYes, well I guess I could rip out all the vegetation and have sand delivered.
DeleteLiving high up in a loft apartment I don't have too much trouble with animals, just intrusive seagulls and pigeons who seem to gain amusement by joining indoors sometimes. My only animal intruder is a fox who has no problem with climbing 70 steps to my front door,and if it's open, joining me in my living room! If my door's closed he pops through my neighbour's cat flap!
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any fox around here for a few years now. They are certainly welcome to return. That is one friendly fox you have.
DeleteYears ago one of my sons was grilling on the patio. As young men are likely to do, he left the door open when he went outside. A cat was wandering around and walked right in.
We need more predators.
ReplyDeleteFolks around here get upset by the coyotes - which I fully understand as they attacked my son's dog last year in their driveway. But the last thing we need is more of my crazy neighbors who like to hand feed the squirrels - and then complain that they are chewing into the house.
DeletePeople think Nature is like an old Disney cartoon full of cute wide eyed animals. It isn't. We've killed off the predators and many animals suffer from overpopulation. Even those "cute deer" that eat many gardens (they just munched on some of our green bean plants) also carry Lyme Disease. Two people who work at my company have lost children to Lyme Disease. But you do seem to suffer a lot more than many. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThe husband of one of my employees had Lyme disease, but it took two years to get a diagnosis. Our county kept insisting that we did not have it here. They finally admitted they were wrong.
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