Critter repellent

Controlling pests of bamboo

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bigone5500
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Critter repellent

Post by bigone5500 »

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David
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by David »

Hey big. All the store bought repellents I have used work with mediocre to good results. I have just as good or better success with a homemade concoction of minced garlic, super hot sauce, and vinegar, (at this point it also makes a killer barbecue sauce :D ) and a good blob of dish washing detergent. Mix/blend everything together except the detergent. You mix it in last to keep the foaming down, then apply with a small paint brush. Deer and rabbits really hate this stuff. Squirrels require lead.

David
David Arnold
Middle Tennessee Bamboo Farm
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bigone5500
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by bigone5500 »

Should I brush some of that on the lead too? LOL!

Thanks!!
Matt in TN
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by Matt in TN »

So how do you keep the underground critters from eating rhizomes? I have one madake that's doing pretty well this year, but one that is absolutely eaten up both under and above ground (very odd, as they're only 20' or so apart). I thought it was moles making the tunnels all around and didn't worry about it at first. Once I realized the stunted growth I spread grub/insect killer all around the general area to get rid of the food source and hopefully drive the moles away. New tunnels keep appearing though, and the poor madake is being eaten alive - so I'm wondering if it's not moles at all but something else!

To add insult to injury rabbits have discovered the very same plant and I've caught them nibbling on the new shoots above the ground this year. With the two-front attacks I'm amazed it's still alive at all! I've got some ideas for the rabbits, but how do I dissuade the subterranean critters?
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stevelau1911
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by stevelau1911 »

After spraying bonide squirrel repellant and letting my cat hang around the bamboo garden, I haven't seen a squirrel there for a while. I think this stuff is working.
Alan_L
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by Alan_L »

It could very well be moles making the tunnels, but then voles using those tunnels to access the rhizomes.

I understand your goal with the grub/insect killer, but I never really understood the logic behind using it. Ok, you kill all of the grubs (and earthworms too I guess -- yikes!) in your yard. There's not a single thing for a mole to eat. How do the moles know there's no food in your yard? They tunnel around looking for it!
Matt in TN
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by Matt in TN »

It doesn't seem to kill the earthworms (or maybe it just doesn't work at all?) - as I was weeding and discovering chewed rhizomes last night I saw MANY earthworms doing quite well. Good point on the exploratory tunnelling though...
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Alan_L
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by Alan_L »

Matt in TN wrote:It doesn't seem to kill the earthworms (or maybe it just doesn't work at all?) - as I was weeding and discovering chewed rhizomes last night I saw MANY earthworms doing quite well. Good point on the exploratory tunnelling though...
Moles like earthworms as much as they like grubs, so it sounds like you can save some money and skip the grub-ex. :)
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needmore
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by needmore »

I've never used it but purportedly milky spore will be a grub eradicator. I would get some castor oil, rake the area clean and spray on a heavy dose all over. Keep on it, I've had some success with running them off this way.
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Matt in TN
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by Matt in TN »

Interesting idea with the castor oil - I just may try that! It doesn't seem to hurt the bamboo when you've tried it?
"The Way is in training" - Miyamoto Musashi
bigone5500
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by bigone5500 »

David wrote:Hey big. All the store bought repellents I have used work with mediocre to good results. I have just as good or better success with a homemade concoction of minced garlic, super hot sauce, and vinegar, (at this point it also makes a killer barbecue sauce :D ) and a good blob of dish washing detergent. Mix/blend everything together except the detergent. You mix it in last to keep the foaming down, then apply with a small paint brush. Deer and rabbits really hate this stuff. Squirrels require lead.

David
Is there a certain mix ratio that you use?
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David
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by David »

Hey Big,

For 1qt finished "Stannk!" I use ~ 1/2 - 1 cup minced garlic, 1/2 - 1 cup hot sauce, 1 cup white vinegar, a couple of tablespoons of dish washing detergent, and top it off with water.

I've used some form of homemade repellent for several years and this one seems to be the best so far.

If you notice nothing eats wild onions, and garlic seems to smell very much like them. I have in fact rubbed crushed wild onion tops (and bulbs if I can pull them up) on shoots with good success, but it's a lot of trouble when you can just use garlic.

I buy the qt size minced garlic, and qt sized hot sauce from Walmart.

I think this years concoction may be working the best because I blended all the ingredients, except the detergent. It really makes the garlic smell overwhelming.

Remember nothing works 100%, but 8- 9 saves out of 10 is acceptable for me.

Before you add the detergent brush some on some steaks and grill. :D

Regards,

David
David Arnold
Middle Tennessee Bamboo Farm
USDA zone 6b
Alan_L
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by Alan_L »

David wrote:Before you add the detergent brush some on some steaks and grill.
You have problems with critters eating your grill too? :shock:
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David
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by David »

Yeah! The two legged kind! :wink:
David Arnold
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bigone5500
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Re: Critter repellent

Post by bigone5500 »

It would definitely keep me from munching on your steaks!
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