Garden Pests

[LancYorkYankee]

Forgot to mention the dreaded squash bugs, squash vine borers, cucumber beetles, and flea beetles. We too have many bats and toads which are raised and encouraged. Up to last year we had loads of lizards and skinks but none seen this year. That concerns me as some envirmental snafu has got to them.

Just remembered this Black Rat snake story from last year. Went out to do my nightly check on things. Looked into my pen with baby chicks (5) and guineas (~20). Noticed a very large and bloated snake (~4 feet long) in the pen. It had got in but was too engorged to get back out. Hence she decided to hang around and continue dining.

Had no choice but to kill it. So, there I am in my boxers, snake by the tail in one hand, flashlight in the other. Had to keep a hold of both and get my knife. Finally got off the head and conducted research to see how much (who) she had eaten. She had 2 (3 week old) chicks and 5 baby guineas. It was pretty nasty and really shocking that it would eat all those in one setting!


There learned ya something else eh?

Brian

 

[SPUGGIE J]

Had no choice but to kill it. So, there I am in my boxers, snake by the tail in one hand, flashlight in the other. Had to keep a hold of both and get my knife. Finally got off the head and conducted research to see how much (who) she had eaten. She had 2 (3 week old) chicks and 5 baby guineas. It was pretty nasty and really shocking that it would eat all those in one setting!


There learned ya something else eh?

Brian

So its a new hobby then forensic examination of raiders to se what they have pinched? Or are you going to be a vivesectionist???

 

[LancYorkYankee]

Aye, my animal scientist background keeps me interested in these types of discoveries. Plus, I really hated to destroy said snake so wanted to make the best of it. I knew as cringing as the whole episode was, I wanted to have my facts right. Hence the numbers and size eaten.

Also the critter may have been closer to 5/6 feet (now wait, this is not just a growing fish story, hear me out). My only measurement was the fact I had it by the tail (~6-12 inches) and was trying to hold it above my shoulders and away from my body.

All the while this "Spawn of Satan" (I said I like that they eat the bad snakes and rodents, NOT that I like snakes!!!!!)(plus reliving this story is creaping me out), is wriggling around trying to get away and/or bite me ankles. Seeing as I'm 6 ft tall and the snakes head . . . . oh whatever . . . what was the question . . .did I answer it sometime ago?

I gotta get some coffee.... Is this not pure babble or is there anything of interest here?

Cheers anyhoo!

Brian

 

[Eric]

Aye, my animal scientist background keeps me interested in these types of discoveries. Plus, I really hated to destroy said snake so wanted to make the best of it. I knew as cringing as the whole episode was, I wanted to have my facts right. Hence the numbers and size eaten.

Also the critter may have been closer to 5/6 feet (now wait, this is not just a growing fish story, hear me out). My only measurement was the fact I had it by the tail (~6-12 inches) and was trying to hold it above my shoulders and away from my body.

All the while this "Spawn of Satan" (I said I like that they eat the bad snakes and rodents, NOT that I like snakes!!!!!)(plus reliving this story is creaping me out), is wriggling around trying to get away and/or bite me ankles. Seeing as I'm 6 ft tall and the snakes head . . . . oh whatever . . . what was the question . . .did I answer it sometime ago?

I gotta get some coffee.... Is this not pure babble or is there anything of interest here?

Cheers anyhoo!

Brian

Coffee sounds interesting ... I could use a cup myself

 

[jambutty]

I have this genuine anti-elephant knopkerry that was given to me by a Zulu warrior. He claimed that as long as I had it in my house I would never be plagued by marauding elephants. And you know what? He has been dead right all these years. Not a single elephant has wandered through my garden.

Pity really ‘cos it could trample on the slugs and snails that have grown fat on my seedlings. My attempt at creating a “Remembrance” garden with a large “V” of red poppies and meadow flowers elsewhere has so far produced just one yellow flower and a nice dainty pink one.

Still it is early days yet, although four weeks of rain haven’t helped and I may yet get a colourful display with bees a-buzzing, butterflies a-fluttering and boids a-choipping above. I haven’t seen it for a few weeks now but a grey squirrel seems to think that it owns mine and neighbours gardens. At least having battled the slugs and snails and won, I think, my Lupins, Hollyhocks and Foxgloves now have a chance.

 

[Eric]

I have this genuine anti-elephant knopkerry that was given to me by a Zulu warrior. He claimed that as long as I had it in my house I would never be plagued by marauding elephants. And you know what? He has been dead right all these years. Not a single elephant has wandered through my garden.

Pity really ‘cos it could trample on the slugs and snails that have grown fat on my seedlings. My attempt at creating a “Remembrance” garden with a large “V” of red poppies and meadow flowers elsewhere has so far produced just one yellow flower and a nice dainty pink one.

Still it is early days yet, although four weeks of rain haven’t helped and I may yet get a colourful display with bees a-buzzing, butterflies a-fluttering and boids a-choipping above. I haven’t seen it for a few weeks now but a grey squirrel seems to think that it owns mine and neighbours gardens. At least having battled the slugs and snails and won, I think, my Lupins, Hollyhocks and Foxgloves now have a chance.

I think the problem is that your squirrel is lonely ... he needs friends ... now I just happen to have 30 or 40 of the little devils that would just love a vacation over the pond ... and for the night time, a family of raccoons ... just say the word and they are yours

 

[jambutty]

No thanks Eric. The North American grey squirrel has duffed up our red squirrels almost to the point of extinction.

The racoons would be an interesting addition though.

 

[Eric]

No thanks Eric. The North American grey squirrel has duffed up our red squirrels almost to the point of extinction.

The racoons would be an interesting addition though.

At least you wouldn't be bothered by stray cats ... racoons are fiesty little buggers and no garbage bin in the neighbourhood would be left standing. Skunk, now, are really sweet natured, but there is a minor drawback with these little cuties

 

[LancYorkYankee]

Eric, I'd be more than happy to bring the coffee if you'd supply the fishing! I do take a left turn at Niagra Falls. Or, heaven forbid, is going throughg Detroit a quicker route?

Brian

Oh, I forgot the eh?

 

[Eric]

Eric, I'd be more than happy to bring the coffee if you'd supply the fishing! I do take a left turn at Niagra Falls. Or, heaven forbid, is going throughg Detroit a quicker route?

Brian

Oh, I forgot the eh?

Kingston is almost directly North of Culpeper, maybe a little to the east. Just goes to prove that you damn yanks don't know any geography other than your own.EH!