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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: dandelion on August 05, 2006, 22:20:12

Title: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: dandelion on August 05, 2006, 22:20:12
Someone on the site has netted his sweetcorn plants. Can birds be a problem ???
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 05, 2006, 23:45:00
I've had the odd cob chewed, but I think that was rats rather than birds.
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: Jill on August 05, 2006, 23:52:35
I'd say it's somewhat strange behaviour and certainly not necessary. ;D
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: wivvles on August 06, 2006, 08:13:58
We have a problem with badgers on our site - so I put that orange windbreak stuff around mine - seems to fool them and they wander off to eat someone else's...
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: Svea on August 06, 2006, 09:44:07
we have a serious trouble with squirrels - they have eaten someone's whole harvest!!!

Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: saddad on August 06, 2006, 11:20:13
Don't get me started on Tree Rats!
;D
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: dandelion on August 06, 2006, 11:43:58
Hmm squirrels and rats... We probably have those, and we definitely have mice. But I doubt that netting will deter rodents. We have foxes too, so I'll just rely on them to frighten the rodents off!
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: jennym on August 07, 2006, 10:40:22
Someone on here recommended cutting empty plastic bottles along one side and popping them over to protect them from mice/rats. I've never tried it, but will have a go with a few this year I think to see what happens. Never have netted them though.
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: supersprout on August 07, 2006, 10:58:36
Quote from: saddad on August 06, 2006, 11:20:13
Don't get me started on Tree Rats!
;D

Don't forget they can be cooked and eaten like rabbit saddad ;)
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: lottief on August 07, 2006, 15:22:10
They have done that on our site too - apparently to stop deer and/or foxes (some debate as to which it actually is that is so partial to the corn...).
The other advice I was given was to smear chilli sauce on the outside of the cobs.
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: Curryandchips on August 07, 2006, 15:29:02
Quote from: lottief on August 07, 2006, 15:22:10
The other advice I was given was to smear chilli sauce on the outside of the cobs.

Now that sounds quite appealing ...
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: lottief on August 07, 2006, 17:39:26
Hopefully not if you're a fox!
Mmmm, they are nice with chilli butter though...
Fingers crossed, some will survive the four-legged assult!
Title: Re: Netting sweetcorn?
Post by: davy1 on August 07, 2006, 20:48:18
I had  a priblem last year with rats so i collected the 2 litre plastic milk bottles, cut them up the narrow side and put them over my cobs. It works people.