What large pests attack sweetcorn cobs? (and what can I do to prevent this)

[Samuel1988]

Morning all,

Yesterday I found that my cobs were attacked by what I presume to be rats (I say this because I have seen a dead rat on my pot and have heard of peoples corn getting eaten by rats n the plot). What else may have done such a hideous crime?

And what can I do to prevent this form happening again?

Many thanks,

Samuel

[Martin H]

On our plot the main culprits are pigeons. They perch on top of the cob and strip the sheath to get at the kernels. Here's a picture of the resulting damage that I took this week while cursing myself for not putting netting up:

[wellywoo]

We have a fox on our site that eats all corn that's not in a sturdy cage.


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[Nannysally99]

If that had happened to my precious sweetcorn, I would be sitting up all night with a shotgun. It never occurred that anything would be eating my babies 😀

[Nicos]

Squirrels and badgers are also partial to a nice corn of cob too!

I think you need to try and work out what caused it first before you decide on how to prevent it from happening again.
You could try netting/fleecing- that will help keep the birds off...but rats/mice and squirrels will climb up the stem.

[lottie dolly]

Rats will have it also,and some uninvited humans

[Bill HH]

They do say elephants can give them a bit of a bashing.