View Full Version : I am going to have to kill something, but not certain what...
sputinc7
03-30-2017, 08:20 AM
Something has been climbing my plants lately for some reason. My guess is a raccoon, but why? This latest entry seen in the pics seems like a lot of damage for a raccoon, though.
My poor Pisang Ceylon... it was recovering so nicely after the winter chills and now I had to stump it. The VC in the background got torn up some as well. My Goldfinger had it's cigar leaf broken, too... All in the same night.
I have noticed some broken leaves lately, so I know something has been climbing, but this time was the worst. I am not sure what has been rooting around the base of my plants, though. It's been digging up roots and I am tired of fixing the mulch every day.
I can only guess he's going after the bunch on my Brazilian which should be turning any day now, but he's climbing the wrong plants. Never seen damage like this before, though. Broke a few leaves on the Namwah last night, too.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61331&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=61331&ppuser=22903)
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61330&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=61330&ppuser=22903)
Tonight's dinner will be a double portion of Just One Bite. Don't want a hungry raccoon breaking more of my bananas off.
HMelendez
03-30-2017, 10:26 AM
Steve,
I'm sorry to what happened to your 'nana plants!....Hopefully they recover soon!....
Tytaylor77
03-30-2017, 10:36 AM
I agree DEATH is the punishment for this crime! Hope they recover soon.
edwmax
03-30-2017, 11:58 AM
Digging & climbing ???? A possum! It must smell grubs. Let us know what you find. could be a coon, but ...
Anyway, they will grow back. KILL it!
beam2050
03-30-2017, 12:51 PM
sorry to see this. I'm with edwmax possum. that Ceylon is pretty well tore up. and if its digging roots? it likes veggies. are remote enough to have bears. be carefull.
sputinc7
03-30-2017, 03:16 PM
I have seen raccoons. One was helping himself to leftovers in my cat's dish two nights ago when I came home... Saw it next door in daylight a week ago or so. Just one bite got em last time but it's getting hard to find except online. Best critter getter there is. Quick acting, very potent and an irresistible taste.
They already ate what was left of some other rat bars from Ace a couple nights ago. Raccoons digestive system and liver can handle a lot of poison. Saw it on a documentary a few years ago. I would shoot them if I lived in the country, but I have neighbors all around.
Whatever it is, it loves peanut butter.
edwmax
03-30-2017, 03:19 PM
Is that an egg in the photo? Did you put it there for bait? Or, do you have chickens? My chickens have broke down a couple of my bananas. So now I have a bird-net fence around the patch.
sputinc7
03-30-2017, 05:14 PM
No. It's an orange. The fruit in the fruit bowl was getting od and drawing those awful gnats, so I told my daughter to put the old fruit by my bananas... She put one thing by each banana plant.
So, how does one kill a possum? Giant rats... Same way you do a raccoon? Can't shoot it or I would, gladly. If it's a possum, being it has been tilling around my plants for weeks and every so often climbs all my bananas, breaking one leaf each until last night. You can see, to the right of the plants, where it had been tilling or rooting last night, as well.
Jamie p
03-30-2017, 05:29 PM
You should set up a game camera . Lol take a picture of the criminal
greene33
03-30-2017, 05:38 PM
I agree a game camera will show you exactly what you need to kill. Motion activated with night vision. Bass Pro Shop sells them.
Checker55
03-30-2017, 06:02 PM
Havahart trap or a electric fence.
edwmax
03-30-2017, 07:49 PM
...
So, how does one kill a possum? Giant rats... Same way you do a raccoon? Can't shoot it or I would, gladly. ...
Same way you kill a coon. ... Call your local Game Warden, Tell him your problem and the plants are worth about $200 each. He may have a trap or two he can loan. Or he may tell you to shoot'em. ... Anyway, putting poison out might get you in trouble if someone's pet or protected wild life eats it. This way the Game Warden is on your side and knows what you are doing.
sputinc7
03-31-2017, 09:06 AM
Well, it came back last night. I don't understand what is driving this critter to smash banana plants all of a sudden, but it got my Cavendish and finished off my VC. It also finally found my banana bunch on the Brazilian and broke open one banana, but so far, that is all. I REALLY wanted them to start ripening on the plant so I am sure they are done, but now I guess I better cut them so t doesn't destroy the whole bunch tonight.
Here is the poor D Cav... It was recovering from the cold so well and now it's never gonna make this year.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61337&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=61337&ppuser=22903)
VC.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=61336&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=61336&ppuser=22903)
raygrogan
03-31-2017, 01:59 PM
I've had good luck with BIG Havahart traps catching both coons and possums (they were destroying taro plants, I assume looking for frogs or fish). One I borrowed from a neighbor who has lots of fruit trees. Another I borrowed from the Humane Society. To drown these critters it took a BIG trash can (one of those city-supplied automatic ones), or a pond.
cincinnana
03-31-2017, 08:03 PM
Could be a cat.
.https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3920/14651671774_22fee02920.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ojHDyA)
Lost cat (https://flic.kr/p/ojHDyA)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
Glad I never encountered one of those "cats" ever.
Tytaylor77
03-31-2017, 11:22 PM
I see those cats a lot! They all seem to have the same disease that causes them to loose all their tail hair though. Lol
Good luck Steve! Now the ripe nanners are gone maybe your pest will be also.
sputinc7
04-01-2017, 03:27 PM
It did not come by last night. Maybe it was still full from the double size meal I left out for it the night before... Some cornmeal and peanut butter with a couple "flavor packets" in it.. Tomcat 32708 Rodent Bait Liquid Concentrate 1.7 oz. Pouches (8/Pack) (http://www.circlecsupply.com/tomcat-32708-rodent-bait-liquid-concentrate.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwn_3GBRDc8rCnup-1x8wBEiQAdw3OAf6GjS6T-oupgqh3DapBu7Xaxx4IqEbfHE8phNQL80gaAiFC8P8HAQ)
I didn't even get to test my wife's ingenious method... Maybe another will come around tonight for one of the peanut butter bananas I left out, connected to my household current on wet soil. My wife said I should put an electric fence around my bananas (Cause she thinks it's bad to kill big furry things. Small furry things are ok, though. Especially if they have 8 legs.) and I had an epiphany... Zap em! Quick and pretty painless compared to poison.
sputinc7
04-01-2017, 03:32 PM
I've had good luck with BIG Havahart traps catching both coons and possums (they were destroying taro plants, I assume looking for frogs or fish). One I borrowed from a neighbor who has lots of fruit trees. Another I borrowed from the Humane Society. To drown these critters it took a BIG trash can (one of those city-supplied automatic ones), or a pond.
:ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha::ha:
A long slender knife would have worked...
cincinnana
04-02-2017, 06:02 PM
Glad I never encountered one of those "cats" ever.
Those are Kats...:08:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5561/14957716196_748400fb39.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/oMLcUy)image (https://flic.kr/p/oMLcUy) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
Larson..
cincinnana
04-02-2017, 08:53 PM
You should set up a game camera . Lol take a picture of the criminal
I was trying to catch Road Runners....lol
Every time the camera fired I get is ..........Beep beep.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2833/33805162835_3155bd4337.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Tvfia6)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/Tvfia6) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
.https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3839/33764689386_398682cbe6.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TrERP1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TrERP1) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2906/33811610055_1c5963e320.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkG4)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkG4) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/33811610885_7c8fa83306.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkWn)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkWn) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2820/33649069152_e2b02c9557.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TgsgWG)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TgsgWG) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
cincinnana
04-02-2017, 08:57 PM
I've had good luck with BIG Havahart traps catching both coons and possums (they were destroying taro plants, I assume looking for frogs or fish). One I borrowed from a neighbor who has lots of fruit trees. Another I borrowed from the Humane Society. To drown these critters it took a BIG trash can (one of those city-supplied automatic ones), or a pond.
Or a chainsaw...
This little fella was let go shortly after the photoshoot and after he ate all his ice cubes in his cage....
He was not harmed in any way..
https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5585/14771862510_ef6ed70090.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ovkE5E)
oops.... (https://flic.kr/p/ovkE5E) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
a.hulva@coxinet.net
04-02-2017, 10:05 PM
Get a trap from Ace or Tractor Supply. Use canned got food. Take it MILES away. Good luck
TheOrganicMechanic2016
05-15-2017, 11:04 PM
Did you ever catch the varmint?:2705:
Jonifg
05-22-2017, 02:59 PM
I had a raccoon who liked to get in my yard and eat my vegetables....notice I said had! I did nothing to it, BUT my 100 pound Doberman decided he did not want the raccoon in his yard. The raccoon is now in raccoon heaven.........as of last week.
Jonifg
05-22-2017, 03:00 PM
I was trying to catch Road Runners....lol
Every time the camera fired I get is ..........Beep beep.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2833/33805162835_3155bd4337.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Tvfia6)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/Tvfia6) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
.https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3839/33764689386_398682cbe6.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TrERP1)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TrERP1) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2906/33811610055_1c5963e320.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkG4)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkG4) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2911/33811610885_7c8fa83306.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkWn)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TvPkWn) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2820/33649069152_e2b02c9557.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/TgsgWG)Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/TgsgWG) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
A variety of critters!
edwmax
05-22-2017, 04:28 PM
AW HA! ... I think I found that Road Runner! This showed up This past Saturday night at the chicken/duck pens and still here Monday night ... She eats chicken food & cat food. ... I believe it has moved in.
http://caironet.com/banana/Peafowl-100_9960[1].JPG
http://caironet.com/banana/Peafowl-100_9957[1].JPG
Now to keep it from trying to roost in the banana trees!
cincinnana
05-22-2017, 06:54 PM
A variety of critters!
Yes mam....alot of seeds though....I do not recommend them for out of hand eating.08:
Snarkie
05-23-2017, 11:43 AM
I use a live trap. If it's a possum, I take them a few miles away and drop them off. Possums are destructive but harmless. They do not carry rabies and aside from hissing a lot, are not aggressive.
Coons, skunks and foxes do carry rabies, so be careful if you catch one. Skunks are pretty friendly, so pay attention. I've had them come in the door looking for a handout. Coons may act friendly, but if they are aggressive, kill them. I shot a coon a few years back that was literally swearing at me as it approached. I put a 9mm through its chest and it just blinked at me. That was all the confirmation I needed. Just the other week, there was one in the road on one of my routes. Every time I rolled the window down to talk to someone, it would head for my car. It was confirmed rabid. Luckily, I have a PA on my siren, so I kept everyone away from the area until AC showed up.
Foxes are hard to judge. So many people are feeding them now, that many are out during the day. Stop and talk to them and they'll come right over.
Skunks are never out during the day, so if you see one, it's prolly rabid. Early morning or nighttime though, they're pretty friendly and contrary to popular belief will not spray you on a whim. I used to have an uncle who would talk to them as he was picking them up and shoving them into a gunny sack. He rarely got sprayed. Treat a skunk like a cat and you'll be okay.
sputinc7
05-23-2017, 01:39 PM
"rarely got sprayed" ROFL
That's a big nope from me.
Snarkie
05-23-2017, 01:55 PM
I understand, but it really smells like lemonade.
Jonifg
05-23-2017, 02:35 PM
Skunks don't smell like lemonade....they just stink. My son hit one, then parked his truck in the garage. I woke up the next morning and the whole house stunk.....of course I yelled at him once I found out why the house stunk. It was a horrible STANK!
Snarkie
05-23-2017, 02:39 PM
They do to me, but then again, all perfume reeks except for Vanilla Fields. Prolly just me.
sputinc7
05-23-2017, 08:43 PM
Yep, just you. They STINK!!! Getting sprayed one time is one time too many. It takes weeks to stop stinking. Nothing washes it off.
To all of you who say 'live trap a critter and take it miles away and release'...
Please check with your state's wildlife/natural resources/fish and game departments, as in most areas, doing that is actually illegal!
I live 'out in the sticks' and do NOT appreciate getting everyone's nuisance critters dumped here...it ends up being my ammo that's used.
If you do live trap, call your local animal control/fish and game/dnr office and have them come collect dispose of it (yes, it will probably end up being killed).
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