Author Topic: Ways of keeping mice from peas? (Read 16344 times)

thomasb · « **on:** April 28, 2005, 22:31:17 »

Hi,
I am having problems with mice digging up and eating my peas I sowed 2 weeks ago. I sowed my early peas in modules and planted them out and they are fine....However, I sowed my next batch of peas directly into the ground and the mice are having a field day. I am finding half eaten peas stored in my cold frame 5 metres from where there were sown. Where are the peas are s riddled in small holes. Other allotment olders have also complained that their peas and beams are been taken my mice too.
Have anyone ideas on howto protect the next set of peas I will sow in a weeks time.
Thomas

PS... I though I was covered by protecting my peas with netted wire from pegions that live in a clump of trees close by....

caz 406 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2005, 23:06:58 »

A couple of the older gents at our allotments reckon you should soak peas in paraffin before planting to keep the mice off. Haven't tried it myself but they swear by it apparently... :)

philcooper · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2005, 23:12:24 »

A herbalist recommended pepermint oil as a good mouse deterent

Phil

ACE · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2005, 23:28:28 »

Chillie pepper.

redimp · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2005, 23:30:00 »

rhubarb leaves or rhubarb leaf tea.

BAGGY · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2005, 00:08:56 »

What's the rhubarb tea recipe. My peas are doomed.

Derek · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2005, 06:23:25 »

I saw this recipe on a US Forum about a year ago.

It had been concocted by a lady to combat bugs and beasties on crops to great effect it would seem. It was being widely used throughout the USA by forum members who raved about its success so much so they were experimenting on its effect with larger pests i.e. rabbits etc.(husbands/partners excluded ladies ;)) so it might just work on mice

I have (or should I say the Governor) has tried it at home and it does appear to work...worth a try.

Have fun
Derek

Recipe:
1 pint of hot peppers/cayenne Pepper
1 bulb of garlic
2 tbs dish soap
2 tbs vegetable oil
1 5 gallon bucket and 4 gallons of water
cheese cloth

Puree the peppers and garlic then add a little water and puree more.
Add pepper mix to water and cover. Let it sit over night. Strain through cheesecloth into a 2 gallon garden sprayer. Add soap and oil.
Spray plants, leaves, stems and around the trunks on the ground.
DO NOT Spray in the heat of the day or when the plants are in direct sun as it can burn the plants.
Must be reapplied after rain or watering.

redimp · « **Reply #7 on:** April 29, 2005, 07:38:23 »

Quote from: BAGGY on April 29, 2005, 00:08:56

What's the rhubarb tea recipe. My peas are doomed.

Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum).
Perennial potager plant.
Active ingredients. Oxalic acid as salt of calcium.
Action. Insectifuge against aphids, caterpillars, and other larvae. Repulsive to herbivores.
Preparation. In cold maceration, use 1 lb. of chopped leaves in 3 quarts of water; allow to soak 24 hours before filtering. Use full strength. This is a great way to use rhubarb leaves as you eat the stalks.

Derekthefox · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2005, 09:33:56 »

For the mice reason, I always grow my peas and beans in modules now, then plant out after germination. This avoids any misses in the rows as well.

legless · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2005, 10:30:17 »

i had the same problem with broad beans. the last batch i put some cat hair in with each bean and they didn't get eaten. there has to be one advantage to having 3 longhaired cats shedding hair all the time...

dingerbell · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2005, 16:45:33 »

I put sprigs of Holly bush around my peas and the mice haven't touched them! ;D

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #11 on:** April 29, 2005, 18:37:42 »

Mice munched through nearly all of my earlies and all of my sugar snaps! >:( I tried netting but they went under! Little bleeders!! On our site the chaps soak in paraffin.

thomasb · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2005, 21:32:30 »

Thanks all,
When some of you spoke of paraffin are you taking of paraffin fuel that I expect you go to a hardware shop for or is it paraffin oil that you get from a chemist?
Thomas

Roy Bham UK · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2005, 21:47:53 »

And is it Organic? ???

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2005, 22:05:54 »

I believe it is the fuel, from the hardware. Don't know about organic Roy, and I thought it would have inhibited germination, but the chap on our plot has a lovely row of un-nibbled peas growing.

Bramley · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2005, 08:58:07 »

I put fleece over mine this year and weighted the sides down with soil, so there was no way of the mice getting to them.

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2005, 10:11:30 »

Started mine off in guttering, mouse got in the greenhouse and ate them, then got a 2nd lot growing, not a prob (Had trapped the previous diner) good looking big healthy plants, took them up the plot, planted them, went back yesterday and the *T^^$^%$") slugs have had em! Makes a girl not want to be organic at times! :-\

the_snail · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2005, 21:52:16 »

Lmao doris_Pinks :D

Sounds like one on my happenings that does. Protect and beat one pest for them to be eaten by another!

Why not try little mini mice land mines ;D

Seriously I would sow ya peas in the ground then put wire chicken mesh over the ground surface and allow the peas to grow through the chicken mesh. Its stops the mice from burrowing after the seeds.

dawn34 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2006, 14:06:17 »

hi my husband and i have just started an lotty and we had a very bad crop of pea this year as we are new to all this could mice be the problem, as i was digging and a mouse came from the soil i was digging. our peas where very patchy and nothing to write home about :'( :'(

supersprout · « **Reply #19 on:** October 18, 2006, 14:08:55 »

Start them off in guttering in the g'house, plant off when 3-4" high. Mice like pea peas, not pea shoots :)

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Author Topic: Ways of keeping mice from peas? (Read 16344 times)