Farmer's Market

[DianaB]

I've got an armadillo that's digging in my yard too. Any ideas on how to get rid of it? I'm too tired at night to go out with a flashlight and a gun!!!!

[Tiramisu]

Diana, I'm with you on the tired! Harold told me that pouring human urine will keep them out. I reminded him that it hasn't stopped them where he goes out back! And, when I have to go, I have to go - no time to grab a container!

[DianaB]

That sounds interesting, Sandy. I'm going to have to think on that one for awhile.

[judy]

Maybe you have to pee on the armadillo!

I had a critter that chewed quite a nice chunk of my deck wall. There isn't a hole though. I think I'll have to fill the chunk though.

As long as there are no bears on my deck, I'm good. Jessie and Steve saw one running down the highway last week.

[Marilyn]

I had an armadillo that kept eating my caladiums. So I quit planting caladiums. Haven't seen the critter or evidence of him since.

[gja1000]

I don't know how to get rid of armadillos. My daughter said one had been rooting around in their yard too.

Oh, now I remember something. I heard on the gardening show that they are rooting for grubs, and if you get rid of the grubs, they won't root up the yard. Of course, that didn't help with them eating Marilyn's caladiums, now did it!

[DianaB]

I knew that they ate grubs but there's no way to get rid of them in the yard. Once Glen gets the fence completely up they won't be able to get in without digging under it. Another Aunt and Uncle live in Texas and they go out with a flashlight and a gun. One holds the flashlight while the other shoots!!! We may have to try that one!!!

[gja1000]

There is a way to get rid of grubs - beneficial nematodes. They live in the soil under the grass and eat grub eggs. BUT, you have to water the grass at least once every 7-10 days if it doesn't rain because the nematodes will dry up and die if you don't. They also eat flea eggs, thus they keep fleas out of your yard, as well as fire ants. I've used them for about 10 years now and dont' have fleas, grubs, or fire ants in the yard. YAY!

Diana, i think you have the problem solved though with the fence - now just get your hubby to finish it!

[DianaB]

I'd complain but he's busy trying to get the ground worked and crops put in. Now is NOT the time to complain about anything. With all of the wet weather that we've had he's behind in getting things done. He's up early and home late. He'll probably get the fence finished in the fall sometime.

[Janet]

Where do you find this....beneficial nematodes? We have moles, would it help? Is it safe for the dogs?

[gja1000]

Nope, beneficial nematodes won't eat moles. B-nematodes are microscopic organisms that live in the soil and eat the eggs of fleas, ants, and grubs; thus, they cannot grow to maturity and do not invade the soil yard.

I started using them to keep the fleas out of the yard and they work GREAT! I haven't used any commercial flea medicine on my boys for several years - except when we travel.

You get b-nematodes at most any organic gardening store.

[judy]

Do you know of anything for flies Gayle?

[gja1000]

Unfortunately no, flies are so difficult to control. I have a doggie door and the flies come in around the cracks from the swinging plastic - it drives me crazy. I have put the sticky fly strips around the frame on the outside and it kinda works - but then I find yorkie hair stuck to the strips and I know that it has pulled out their hair and that can't be comfortable.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by gja1000

Nope, beneficial nematodes won't eat moles. B-nematodes are microscopic organisms that live in the soil and eat the eggs of fleas, ants, and grubs; thus, they cannot grow to maturity and do not invade the soil yard.

I started using them to keep the fleas out of the yard and they work GREAT! I haven't used any commercial flea medicine on my boys for several years - except when we travel.

You get b-nematodes at most any organic gardening store.

I really didn't think they would eat the moles, but moles eat grubs. If they eat the eggs of grubs...maybe the moles will go away.

[judy]

Good thinking Janet! Maybe you can research that. The old food chain pest prevention!

Diana, I think you should go with the flashlight and gun method. It's quick and efficient.