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Garden Pests #866725

Asked May 02, 2024, 8:25 AM EDT

Hello! I have a problem with something that keeps eating the veggies in my kitchen garden and I'm not sure where to turn for advice on the best way to solve it... I have 4ft. tall garden fence that is buried for several inches all the way around. Also, because last year there were baby rabbits and baby groundhogs that went through the fence and ate EVERYTHING (ugh), I put two ft. chicken wire all the way along the garden fence (also buried) and also wired it to the fence at the top. Something is still getting in and eating whole melon plants and broccoli I put out, mostly at night. It does not touch the herbs and corn. There are ground hogs under our shed (Do they climb?) Otherwise I think it must be deer. I am considering either electric wire along the top, adding deer fence along the top (to make it higher), or ultrasonic repellers though I am worried about what they might do to the bees, which we have quite a few of. Any suggestions on what would be best? Thank you.

Kalamazoo County Michigan

Expert Response

Hi Lorrie, thanks for the question.

Sometimes it is difficult to determine what pest is eating the results of our hard work.  There can be some telling symptoms.  What does the damage look like? Rabbits make clean 45° cuts; deer yank, pull and shred; woodchucks will sample, trample and move on: and cutworms will topple the plant close to the soil line.  Look for paw prints.  Smooth out the soil around the plants or possible entry points in the evening and you may see a paw print or a pattern that can be identified. Check where the gate and fence (or gate and building) come together for an entry point. Check for recently disturbed soil.  Woodchucks can climb but they often have a secondary entry to their burrow that is sometimes hidden (and may be in the garden). If you see any scat (animal poo), it may help identify the culprit. If you have or can borrow a game camera (motion activated) you may get your answer. Send some pictures of the damage, scat or paw prints and maybe we can solve the puzzle. Here are some links that may be helpful.

whats_eating_my_vegetables.pdf (umass.edu)

What’s Eating My Garden Plants? (purdue.edu)

I hope this helpful, please reply if we can be of more assistance on this matter.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 07, 2024, 4:24 PM EDT

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