Courgettes, squash, nets & pigeons.

[Graham K]

Hi all,

just a quickie, my courgettes and squash (and a pumpkin for Halloween) are going great guns at the mo', so much so that the courgettes have now outgrown their netting.

Is it safe to remove the netting now that the plants are well established, or do/will the mass of pigeons we have eat squashes and courgettes? I know they love cabbage and the like but not sure about squash or courgette (we also have rabbits and pheasant and deer just to complicate things).

Any advice most welcome.

Thanks, Graham.

[pdblake]

I've never netted cucurbits of any kind. The only pests I've encountered are slugs and various bugs like woodilice, and while mice will probably have a nibble nets would keep out none of them.

Don't know about deer though.

[Thelma Sanders]

I've never netted them either

[Graham K]

Thanks for that, nets are coming off as soon as I've five minutes spare. Anyone have a spare air rifle as those pheasants are getting nice and plump!

[leonmc0708]

Never had a problem with pigeons on cuc's but this year the hot weather means they have turned to anything - parsnip leaves broad bean leaves lettuce the lot. They get some of their water from plants thus hot weather and dryness means they are desperate

[Stan79]

Thanks for that, nets are coming off as soon as I've five minutes spare. Anyone have a spare air rifle as those pheasants are getting nice and plump!

You can't really use an air rifle on a pheasant! Unless you got a clean headshot you would be unlikely to kill it and it would be very unfair on the poor bird!

[hollychap]

Thanks for that, nets are coming off as soon as I've five minutes spare. Anyone have a spare air rifle as those pheasants are getting nice and plump!

and i wouldnt try shooting them until the start of the game season

[Two_Sheds]

Anyone have a spare air rifle as those pheasants are getting nice and plump!

You don't kill pheasants with an air rifle.


Youse kills 'em with a bus, or a Bimmer.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Trouble with a pheasant road kill is you still can get in trouble if you pick it up.

Potty