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Gardeners,<br>
Here are a few suggestions for non-violent ground hog
control.<br>
<br>
Option #1 simply entails installing pinwheels or other devices around
garden areas to frighten groundhogs away (groundhogs are timid, and the
motion will bother them).<br>
<br>
Option #2 Epsom salts can be sprinkled on the vegetation and fruits of
your garden
plants to render them foul-tasting to groundhogs. The good news about
this strategy is that Epsom salts will also help some of your garden
plants to grow better. But the bad news is that rain will wash off the
Epsom salts, meaning that you will need to make repeated applications.
Another strategy that suffers from the same drawback is discouraging
groundhogs with foul-smelling agents such as ammonia. Ammonia-soaked
rags can be strewn along the perimeter of your garden, forming a stinky
barrier to repel groundhogs. But even ammonia's smell fades eventually
and a re-application will be necessary.
<br>
<br>
<p>Option #3 (the one we are trying)
Fences such as chicken-wire fences can provide a more permanent
solution to your groundhog pest problem. Be aware of two factors,
however: groundhogs can climb <b>over</b> your fences, and groundhogs
can tunnel <b>under</b> your fences. To discourage the former, make
your fences 3'-4' high. To foil <a
href="http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/wildlife/g09452.htm"
onclick="zT(this, '1/XJ')">tunneling</a> attempts, the University of
Missouri Extension advises:
</p>
<p>"The buried portion of the fence should be bent at a 90-degree
angle, 1
foot below the surface, with the bottom of the fence pointing away from
the garden. This design discourages burrowing if it is started at the
fence line."<br>
</p>
<p>#4 Castor Oil</p>
<br>
On the other hand, I’m told if you mix one ounce of castor oil with 10
ounces of water you’ll deter all kinds of pests. According to the
castor-oil company in the U.S. the castor oil does not kill the pests,
they simply do not like the smell of it and avoid the area. In one
study, not only did the rodents stay away, but rabbits, squirrels,
groundhogs, raccoons and skunks also stayed away. I have not tried this
(the twenty foot square garden does not have groundhogs or enough soil
depth for them to live here) so I can’t offer any support to this
product.
<br>
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style="border: medium none ; overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br>
Read more: <a
href="http://www.beginner-gardening.com/groundhogs.html#ixzz0O5HbfrR2">http://www.beginner-gardening.com/groundhogs.html#ixzz0O5HbfrR2</a><br>
<br>
<p><strong>Scent Deterrents:</strong> </p>
<ul>
<li>Make a small pouch out of a nylon stocking or an onion bag and
place some dog hair in it. Attach this to a small stick and place in
and around your garden. The groundhog will think a predator is near. </li>
<li>Sprinkle dry blood meal around target plants to trick the
groundhog into thinking a predator is close by.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Taste Deterrents:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Plant garlic, onion and/or marigolds near the plants you would
like
to protect or sprinkle garlic and onion powder on those plants for a
similar effect. </li>
<li>You can also sprinkle talcum powder on or near the plants as
groundhogs dislike this taste. </li>
<li>Plant a patch of clover or alfalfa to lure them away from your
desired plants. </li>
</ul>
And my favourite You can buy commercial repellents to keep groundhogs
out of your
garden, but a homemade one that works well is 1 tbs. hot sauce mixed
into 1 gallon water. Spray the mixture directly onto the plants. You
can also spray it along the perimeter of the garden. MMmmmm.... hot
sauce.<br>
<br>
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<p></p>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
-----------------------
Jason Rochon
Campus Tech
(519) 888-4567 X33518
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