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churchville, ny

I only thought I had to worry about deer, rabbits and woodchucks but I learned the hard way that chipmunks can destroy your plants. I checked my germination area this morning and found all of my plants destroyed. Chipmunks dug into the soil took the seeds and ate the leaves of the few that had germinated. First time it ever happened to me. I lost my Holland 1462, Nesbitt 1436, Grande 895, Christensen 1003, Albert 944, 1096 Privitera, 598 and 535 Savage, 786 Biga and the Holland 936 which I used to grow my 1119 last year, along with some others. Luckily some plants had germinated earlier and I had moved them to a different location so I still have some to plant. A few of the eaten plants no longer have the cots because the stem was chewed off at ground level and is still there - does anyone know if they will grow?

Live and learn, Swaintech

5/14/2009 10:14:29 AM

[email protected]

Chipmunks = rat traps = black oil sunflower seeds, only way to be rid of the buggers, I have them too. Thanks for the heads up.

5/14/2009 10:21:19 AM

Sort of Sunny Sometimes, WA

Very sorry to hear Swaintech. Chip n' Dale better to head to the Warner Brothers nutness protection program because I'm thinking theres not a safe chipmunk for miles around Swaintech's place right now.

5/14/2009 10:24:19 AM

ExtremeVegetables.com

I lost a bunch of cucurbit starts this season to two mice. They went through 20 to 30 flats digging for seeds.

I had them both in two days. I Gorilla glued a pumpkin seed to the plate of a mouse trap. :)

So yah like seeds HUH?? LMAO .

5/14/2009 11:29:47 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

5 gallon bucket of water, leave about 5 inches of space between top of bucket and water level, add a board for a ramp, fill top of water with sunflower/birdseed leave a few seeds going up ramp, chipmunks check in but don't check out!

5/14/2009 1:00:18 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Swaintech......email the WiZ...Ill replace your 895 Grande.....DangZ

5/14/2009 1:04:59 PM

churchville, ny

Thanks - for the ideas (and the seed Gary) - I will definitely win this war.

5/14/2009 6:26:37 PM

Bauernhof

Chipmunks and squirrels are just rats with better PR.

5/14/2009 10:54:37 PM

Gold Hill, Oregon

rat traps with peanutbutter.

5/15/2009 1:06:13 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Squirrel is a dirty word around here this year. Love the gorilla gluing a seed down.

5/15/2009 6:36:32 AM

Columbus,ohio

My grandpa used to put out chewing gum for chipmunks. I guess the would try to eat it and choke. A little bruttle but anything for the pumpkin plants.

5/15/2009 7:53:17 AM

Mcminnville, Or. ([email protected])

Tom, I need your address, Cheers Brent

5/15/2009 2:49:12 PM

Hamilton Nj

you guys are scareing me i got lots of squiurels at my house will chicken wire around pumpkin help//// or should i get the gun//// thankc pizzapete new jersry

5/15/2009 5:26:03 PM

churchville, ny

Thanks Brent but there were multiple seeds in the packets we exchanged so I have replanted your 598, 535 and 458.

5/15/2009 9:27:11 PM

churchville, ny

Pizzapete - I use an old 4 by 4 by 6 foot milk cooler as my germination area for about 20 plants with 2 100 watt light bulbs as heat source. I left the door cracked at night and that is how the chipmunks got in. The seeds were in gallon containers and they ate the leafs and dug in the soil of the pumpkins that had not germinated. It sounds like your plants are already outside - I imagine the squirrels are after the seeds but I'm sure there is someone reading this that has more knowledge that you or I.

5/15/2009 9:36:44 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

If you need another 1096, Just say the word.
Tom

5/15/2009 10:29:47 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Duane, I feel yer pain...my first set of maters and peppers...in a heated and lighted growing area in the garage, were terminated by mice, they dug up every seed, and ate every plant (approx 100 sprouts)!!! I reseeded, and set up lights inside the house, w/ motion sensors (just kiddin)!!! LOL Now if it would stop rainin...I will try and plant some maters and peppers!! Peace, Wayne
PS...have you called the Gorilla Glue folks yet??? LOL

5/16/2009 2:02:04 AM

churchville, ny

A GIANT thanks to Brent Savage who shipped me a 598 and a 535 PLANT!!!! - they left Oregon at 1:30 yesterday and arrived here at 1:42 today. We certainly have some fine people as giant pumpkin growers. Thanks also to Joel Holland who sent a replacement 936 (Pukos 998-Holland 1086) which I used to grow my PB of 1119 last year (that Pukos 998 gene rules for me)

5/16/2009 5:03:15 PM