Common Summer Pest Questions and Answers

[Pompeii]

Common Summer Pest Questions and Answers

Cheryl J. Shenkle Jefferson County Master Gardener Coordinator

July 2022

 

1.  What pest pulls a plant out of the ground and digs a hole where the plant was?

Omnivorous pests such as skunks will pull/dig a newly planted plant from the ground and leave it whole in search of the organic fertilizers such as blood, fish or bone meal in the soil of the plant.  When using it, add a commercial animal repellent or cayenne pepper to the area immediately around the plant and also in the hole.  You can even make your own hot repellent spray.  Don’t give up on the organics!

2.  What takes small bites out of my tomatoes and vegetables?

Odds are it is a squirrel, groundhog or other small animal in search of a cool refreshing drink!  If the weather has been dry and there is not a nearby source of water for wild animals, they instinctively look for juicy plants.  Vegetables fill the bill nicely.  Remember how good watermelon tastes on a hot summer day?  Create a small pool of some sort in a location away from the garden where wild critters can get fresh water daily.  Even a ground level birdbath will work.  Get out the trail cam and enjoy the visitors.

3.  How does a groundhog get into a high fenced garden? 

Easy, they simply climb over.  Allow the fence to move at the top one foot so it sways or flops when they try to climb.  They need sturdy footing when trying to go over the top.

4. Should I feed the birds in the summer?

Absolutely not!  Like deer, they have lots of natural organic food available as soon as the tree buds develop.  Bird seed is NOT organic, nor is it balanced for the health of the different birds.  Birds need protein to raise their babies and you want them to eat bugs and weed seeds.  Teach them to eat the natural food around them while it is available, and don’t put out a feeder till after the migratory birds are gone for the winter.  Remember, out with the winter birds, and in when the tree buds develop.  Diseases are also spread by migratory birds, so feeders at the wrong time of year can kill the birds you want to watch. The birds know when to come and go so don’t upset their digestion or native patterns by putting out an unhealthy buffet at the wrong time of year.  Unfrozen water is another story entirely.  Clean fresh water is a desperately needed staple at all times of the year.  Heated bird baths and summer fountains will bring birds to entertain you while not harming them.  Pests?  Bear, deer and squirrels love birdseed. Hint!  Always add cayenne pepper to your birdseed.  It does not harm the birds.

5.  Mice!  They also come looking for food and water.  Sink a 5 gallon bucket into the ground filled with about 3 inches of water and a handful of grain.  Cover with a piece of 2 x 4 welded wire to keep other animals out. Check it twice a day to remove satisfyingly dead mice.
6. How do I get rid of Bats.  I hesitate to add them to this article because they are truly not pests!  They are beneficial mammals that we need in areas where there are mosquitos.  However, they roost in high sheltered locations to sleep and be safe from predators.  If they are in an enclosed building or your attic, then watch for where they enter or exit in the evening.  Place an excluder at that hole or crack so they can go out, but not get back in.  Their droppings can also cause disease, ceiling collapse and odors you don’t want to deal with.  Save the bats by providing night scented gardens, bat houses and if one gets into your house, simply open the windows and outer doors to that area, and leave so you don’t distract them while they escape.  They are not a problem, but again, by not dealing with them properly, you are helping destroy their natural habits.  If you don’t like truly dangerous mosquitoes, then properly attract bats and enjoy the night flights!
7. How do I keep slugs, snails and earwigs from destroying my garden at night?

Place short pieces of wet lumber in your garden between the rows in the evening.  As soon as the temperature rises in the morning, lift each board and flick the attached insects into a wide container of soapy water. You will find fewer and fewer every day.

8. Japanese Beetles. 

The traps do work, but put them at a distance well away from the garden and fruiting plants.  Take a small bucket with shallow soapy water into the gardens several times a day.  Place the bucket under the beetles and knock them off into soapy water.  It’s fun to keep a count or make it a contest for the grandkids.  Spreading Milky Spore lightly all around the yard will create a death zone underground to kill the grubs before they hatch, but it is a little expensive.  It is a living organism that will spread till it completely creates a mat and will last for many years.  If you find skunks digging holes in your lawn at night, grubs are probably what they are hunting for.

9. Carpenter Bees!  Just paint any wood that they are intent on burrowing into, but do it early in the spring so you stop all egg laying by not letting the first mating pair get a family started.

If you have more questions, please submit them to the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 814-849-7361 Ext 508 and a call will be returned to you.

We will also do presentations for any group making a request.  We look forward to suggestions for articles also.

Come see us in the Demonstration Gardens at the Jefferson County Fair in July and at various farm markets throughout the summer.

Master Gardener Classes will begin again in early October, so if you have ever dreamed of spending time working in Horticulture with friends, this is your chance.

Certified Master Gardeners are local volunteers trained by Penn State to answer Horticulture questions with properly researched information. For a “best practices” answer to your question, call Penn State Jefferson County Extension to leave a message at 849-7361, Ext 508, e-mail cjs5618@psu.edu, or mail your question to 186 Main Street, Suite 3, Brookville, PA 15825. 

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

[Pappy]

For Carpenter bees, light blue paint I heard works the best

For mice you can also set out Baking soda and cornmeal( can use flour also) add a little sugar if you want but this will kill rodents. Rodents cannot burp or pass gas this method works on them and is safe for all other animals. Buy a small cheap dollar store tupperware style container cut a hole in the front so the rodents can get in and feed and voila your rodent problem will be solved. 

[lavender]

I'm pretty sure that chocolate kills mice. The mouse was certainly dead and the packaged hot chocolate mix was certainly empty. He died happy!