Field mice in vegetables

Post Carbon · #1 08/16/12, 06:29 PM

Hi. I've been gardening for years, but only the second on this property in the country. Finally a big space for anything I want to grow.

Last year I didn't have this problem, but this year, in a large raised bed (raised on two sides to compensate for slope in the land) the field mice have moved in. They've built tunnels along the timbers, and are digging holes all through the bed, which is about 25x 18 feet, and has brassicas, beans, strawberries and potatoes.

They mowed off my Belgian endive, nibbled my broccoli and cauliflower, are chomping off the bush beans, both beans and stalks, most likely stole all the strawberries, and even left toothmarks in many of the potatoes I harvested. I've put out a trap early in the summer and caught nothing until last week. They aren't touching the rat poison.

How do people deal with these buggers? I live in the Pacific Northwest.

I should mention that the compost pile is right next to this bed, and I do not have a cat. Only vegetable matter in the compost pile.

Thanks,

PCP

#2 08/16/12, 07:47 PM

I have the same problem. destroyed a good part of my garden.
I found a hole and stuck the hose in there for awhile.
We shall see if that worked.

Post Carbon · #3 08/16/12, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veggiecanner

I found a hole and stuck the hose in there for awhile.

Oh, that won't work for me. There are WAY too many holes....

kimmom2five · #4 08/17/12, 05:23 AM

I don't know how well this will work but we will see. We knew we had a rabbit in our garden but DH just saw a mouse the other day. He made a Bunny B Gone spray out of dish soap and ammonia and we also put used cat litter around the garden to "hopefully" scare the critters away.
Our Rat Terrier is not living up to his breed either.

vicki in NW OH · #5 08/17/12, 05:30 AM

Cat who is a good mouser.

Rita · #6 08/17/12, 09:10 AM

My guess is voles. we have had similar damage and it's definitely voles. If you find out how to get rid of them let me know. I bought a Jack Russell pup who has yet to catch one. She is only a year old maybe soon she'll earn her keep.

RedDirt Cowgirl · #7 08/17/12, 09:25 AM

I feel with you - they can also strip the bark from the base of shrubs like flowering quince and lilac and I only wish I had an answer for their infestation. They don't seem to pick up bait, tried the Bonide stuff and nothing, and mouse traps along their trails, no catches. That garlic Shake Away Rodent Repellent didn't work.

So for what it's worth, here's the best place for our region to check this stuff out, unless UBC has something up there. Home Page - UC Statewide IPM Program

And here's thegeneral pest management sheet for voles:
Voles (Meadow Mice) Management Guidelines--UC IPM

You can go to the first index for specifics for potatoes, citrus, etc.

I did finally get a cat and that helped tremendously. Voles used to be a 3 - 7 year plague, and then none; now we have lots all the time.

Anybody got any tricks, let's hear 'em puhleeze!