Mice & Rabbits

[Harrod Horticultural]

We have a problem with mice and rabbits at the Harrod Horticultural Kitchen Garden. We appear to have solved it in the greenhouse by using a Pest Stop plug in device and are now investing in a similar Outdoor device. Has anyone had any success in keeping the little blighters off their veggie patch? What works for you?

[Nicos]

Mice? - nope nothing has worked for us. We have a cat which munches it's way through loads everyday - and we still have a big problem.
Even the ultrasonic plug in didn't work in our store area. Sorry!

[Harrod Horticultural]

Hi Nicos

The ultrasonic plug in didn't work in our greenhouse initially, then we turned it to the 'boost' setting and we haven't seen a mouse in there since.....and we have a LOT of mice!

[binley100]

S'ok if you have power in your gh , or lottie ........unfortunately I don't . At the lottie I rely on the natural predators, kestrels and weasels . In the gh , if I had a problem it'd be traps .........

[Nicos]

Hi Nicos

The ultrasonic plug in didn't work in our greenhouse initially, then we turned it to the 'boost' setting and we haven't seen a mouse in there since.....and we have a LOT of mice!

'Boost setting' ???...hmmmm- sounds interesting!

[lottie dolly]

leave them some sweeties,i had to resort to this 2 years ago,after having to many seeds being eaten,also cover with some debrie netting,just until the plants are no longer sort out by the vermin,it worked for me,

[Aberdeenplotter]

We have a problem with mice and rabbits at the Harrod Horticultural Kitchen Garden. We appear to have solved it in the greenhouse by using a Pest Stop plug in device and are now investing in a similar Outdoor device. Has anyone had any success in keeping the little blighters off their veggie patch? What works for you?

The kindness approachworks well especially with mice. Place a bit of food on a trap and set it.

Rabbits are difficult. I have used a mink trap(has a hinged door triggered by an internal switch/foot pressure plate) but the main success comes from stringing netting. With luck, and persistence. The rabbits get stuck or hindered by the netting to enable them to be caught or despatched

[Paulieb]

I caught a few mice with traps the first year, but wasn't too happy about getting rid of them (a necessary unenjoyable job).

So preventative measures are my option these days, so now I put my trays of seed on racking in the middle of the greenhouse (where the mice can't get to), the type of racking used for 'blowaways'. And just avoid sowing peas and beans direct, which is a pain when it comes to runners which are good to sow direct.

[redser]

I caught a few mice with traps the first year, but wasn't too happy about getting rid of them (a necessary unenjoyable job).

So preventative measures are my option these days, so now I put my trays of seed on racking in the middle of the greenhouse (where the mice can't get to), the type of racking used for 'blowaways'. And just avoid sowing peas and beans direct, which is a pain when it comes to runners which are good to sow direct.

Mind if I ask Paulie, if I start my peas and beans in root trainers or pots and transplant them out later, would hey be ok with mice? I developed a mouse problem in the tunnel over the winter and I'm worried they'll nibble the young plants. I've been using traps but they keep on coming. Thanks

[out in the cold]

We got rid of our mice when we got two Bull Terriers.

The mice packed up and shipped out about 2 days later

[binley100]

Mind if I ask Paulie, if I start my peas and beans in root trainers or pots and transplant them out later, would hey be ok with mice? I developed a mouse problem in the tunnel over the winter and I'm worried they'll nibble the young plants. I've been using traps but they keep on coming. Thanks

It's the seeds that they're after ...once the plants are well on they're way the seeds are too shrivelled to be tempting . But they'll be back for peas when they start podding..

[binley100]

Try placing prickly things (like holly leaves) around your plants , they don't like getting their tootsies prickled. Some of our more senior gardeners roll the seeds in paraffin before sowing ......not sure if I'd fancy doing that but am thinking about rolling them in chilli oil ......

[redser]

Thanks binley, that's a relief (for now).

[VirginVegGrower]

We got rid of our mice when we got two Bull Terriers.

The mice packed up and shipped out about 2 days later

I'd agree but that's at home - I have a WFT and we used to have a Welsh. They see off anything furry

[bearded bloke]

When I were a lad I was told that the pesky wabbits (polite version) have super sensitive noses by the gardener where I washed clay flower pots for pocket money in the school holidays,he favoured dunking hemp baler twine in creosote & pegging it around vulnerable plants/beds about 3/4" off the ground.