For the past several days, each morning I go out and find a plant dead or dying. So far I've lost 2 lilies, 2 New Guinea Impatients and this morning a Verbena. The dog caught and killed a vole 2 days ago and he's been hunting whenever out, but hasn't had any luck since. I checked out the Garden Foes forum and basically, the advice boiled down to getting a cat. I have 3 cats, but they don't go outside. If I got another cat, I'm sure I wouldn't be able to stand the poor thing being out all the time and would eventually make it an inside cat. I don't need another cat. I tried those sonic things for mice and they don't work. Interestingly, I haven't seen any mice. DId the voles chase them off? Anyway, any advice how to get rid of these critters before they kill off all my lilies? Should I try the Irish Spring soap again?
Looks Like I have Voles
It could be rabbits. Or woodchucks. Voles are actually mice and usually eat the bulbs and travel in tunnels created by moles. (Moles can be treated with castor oil sprayed around the garden. Then use a grub killer because that is what moles are after.)
I just did some vole research for a friend at work, here's what I found online:
http://www.pestproducts.com/voles_meadow_mice.htm
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7439.html
http://landscaping.about.com/cs/pests/a/vole_control_3.htm
It looks like the top choices for bait are zinc phosphide-based products such as ZP Gopher Bait and
d-Con or Rodex which are Warfarin-based. Hope u get those nasties!
It's Voles. The dog got one the other day.
Thanks, Mainiac and Kooger. I'll check out the options.
beaker, I think the castor oil thing works for voles also. That is a problem on some acreage we own and the castor oil formula works. I will try to find the formula and post it here. It the problem is really bad, you have to reapply.
I wish my dogs would chase them. but they don't.
I have a West Highland White Terrior. I believe they were bred for rodent catching. I lose a plant or three every year due to his hunting techniques.
here it is
1/2 cup castor oil in 2 gal. of water. works with most rodents. reapply if problem persists.
This message was edited Jun 4, 2006 10:19 PM
Thanks, Voss. Do you put this in a sprayer or what?
I've used a bottle sprayer because I didn't want to risk the chance of ruining my gallon sprayer. I just hit the mounds and anywhere I could see soil disturbance.
This is probably a dumb question. Where do you buy castor oil; drug store?
yep. should cost about $1.50 for a little bottle. should be with the pepto, phillips and all those other yummy concoctions.
Yes, Beaker. Walmart carries it in the drug section. I know because my best friend encouraged me to drink it when I was overdue with my youngest son so I would go into labor. I didnt go into labor but my colon was clean as a whistle!
Kelly in OK