Thimbleanna » Rodent Wars

Rodent Wars

June 30, 2010 on 8:53 pm | In Around the House | 66 Comments

If you’ve been reading along this spring, you know that we’ve been having a bit of a problem with too many critters around here.

Exhibit A — digested hostas from early May:

and Exhibit B — the presumed culprits:

A few weeks ago, I noticed that my impatiens weren’t flowering, so I knew the bunnies were dining on them. I tried cayenne pepper, as so many of you suggested, but it’s been such a rainy spring, that the pepper just washes away. Then, I sprinkled used cat litter (ewwww) around the plants, and that seemed to do the trick — within four days the impatiens had flowers. But last weekend, I was checking on my pretty-pink-lilies-to-be, and found this:

Now THAT whizzed me off! Almost all of my lilies are gone!

This.
Means.
War.

I borrowed TheBigGun from a friend of mine.

TheManoftheHouse put a delectable dinner of carrots and peanut butter in TheBigGun on Sunday afternoon, and by Sunday evening, we had a contestant.
But Wait! This isn’t a Bunny!

And neither is this:

Apparently we’re feeding a whole zoo of little critters around here. So far, the count is 1 ground hog, 1 bunny (I wasn’t here when he popped in), and 1 raccoon. They’ve all been safely relocated to a nice patch of woods by a church. I’m hoping they’ll get religion and realize the error of their ways. It’s a cardinal sin to eat my lilies.

Awww, look though. Aren’t they cute with their sweet widdle bitty beady eyes? I almost feel guilty taking them away from our smorgasbord.

Hopefully, we’ll find the rest of their friends and they can all be reunited for a weekend of repenting in the woods by the church.

XOXO,
Anna

P.S. I added Moda Bella Color cards to the shop AND the Bolts O’ Bella are once again on sale for 20% off in honor of the 4th of July!

66 Comments

LOL…Anna you kill me you are so funny. Husband and I were just laughing it up about the animals finding religion and repenting for eating the lilies. TOO funny. You do seems to have a zoo though.

Comment by Dandelion Quilts — June 30, 2010 #
we have a zoo as well…5 raccoons are our problem….i would settle for the bunnies…but the raccoons are having a gay old time…during the wee hours…playing & crying & ever so annoying…finding a trapper that traps & brings to wooded areas….have a great july 4th w/e…L NB

Comment by linda — June 30, 2010 #
Hey. We have a BigGun that we use for Operation Squirrel Relocation. Sometimes we catch a Magpie or a crow, too. I’ve oftened wondered what we would do if a skunk wandered in to TheBigGun. I’m quite sure I would put Mr. Go Girl in charge of that problem. Doesn’t animal trapping seem like a guy job?

Comment by Cassie — June 30, 2010 #
oh.
my.
goodness.
look at you, you little rodent wrangler!!

Comment by brigita — June 30, 2010 #
How could you get past those sad raccoon eyes? I would have had to hand feed the little bugger!!

Comment by Donna Coulter — June 30, 2010 #
Ok, so they aren’t my lilies so I’m sitting here laughing. Have you seen “Over The Hedge”? All your feasting critters remind me of that movie.

Jennifer :)

Comment by Jennifer — June 30, 2010 #
Ewww! I am soooo not a fan of wild animals. They scare the heck out of me! I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this problem. The other day my friend and I were running in the morning and we saw an animal taking it’s last breaths of life on the side of the road. At closer examination, we realized it was a raccoon and we took off running because we didn’t know how “alive” it still was. Oh, it was so scary ~ we were RIGHT next to it! I know it died because I saw it laying there later that day. Eww. So sad. So gross. Good luck with this problem in the future!

Comment by amber — June 30, 2010 #
Ugh, that would creep me out. I have rabbits that completely ate my hostas and I m scared of them. They are ugly. On a positive side, I have a mama quail with 9 tiny babies….well, 8 now. The neighbour cat ate one.

Comment by raina — June 30, 2010 #
They really have sweet faces. To bad they have their eye on your plants.

Comment by Amy C — June 30, 2010 #
This is the best post ever. How could you not like those cute little critters. lol. I have big critters eating my bushes and plants. They are commonly named Bambi. I have a whole family of deer that make backyard their home. We also have problems with raccoons but since I don’t have a vegetable garden they don’t seem to bother us. Good luck on converting them. lol.

Comment by Kim Walus — June 30, 2010 #
Are you going into Animal Control business now?? lolol Or starting a wildlife zoo??
You need a little deer and you’d be set. I have a few I can send your way. There eating my roses!!

Comment by sharon — July 1, 2010 #
Ohh gosh, you have a whole menagerie of critters munching on your garden!!!

I hope they see the error of their ways when they have been relocated and your flowers recover to bloom again.

Comment by Miriam — July 1, 2010 #
There are no more cute bunnies around here, since I found half-eaten, almost-ripe tomatoes, tossed aside in the garden! I’m taking shooting lessons, so they better watch out!

Comment by molly — July 1, 2010 #
ok. really. you crack me up…i’m hoping that those cute little guys all partake of something other than your blossoms and repent of their sinful ways!

Comment by Julie Isa — July 1, 2010 #
What a great post to wake up with, you crack me up! I hope those critters will show some repentance after their church retreat.

I won’t complain anymore about the critters in my little city garden… a little mouse, a little toad and a bunch of snales.

Comment by nicolette — July 1, 2010 #
Perhaps I shouldn’t laugh but that was so funny. I sympathise though… the pigeons are eating my salad plants!

Comment by Gina — July 1, 2010 #
What a fun post! At least you considered the little creatures moral re-education (thou shalt not munch on Thimbleanna’s plants)! I’ll be posting this evening on the progress of my hand-quilted cushions …. it’s going faster than I thought!!

Comment by frayedattheedge — July 1, 2010 #
Ahhhhh! You have such interesting critters Anna! How could you be so cruel as to take them away from their lillies???? YOUR lillies? Don’t be silly Anna, you know you grew them for your pets!

Lucy xxx ;o)

Comment by lucy locket — July 1, 2010 #
I had tears in my eyes from laughing so much after reading this post. You crack me up! You had a zoo that you were providing food for.

Comment by Janet — July 1, 2010 #
I will never sleep tonight – not after seeing those eyes…I want a raccoon – no I Need a raccoon…why don’t we have raccoons here…they could eat my whole garden I wouldn’t care !!

Bring all those cute sinners to my place !!

Comment by jodie — July 1, 2010 #
Anna you are a hoot! I think you may have found your retirement job…LOL! Neighborhood trapping companies here make a lot of money! Hmmmm, think about it!

Comment by Carol — July 1, 2010 #
A “big gun” in our neck of the woods means something different (I bring in the dog whenever I hear someone hunting nearby!!).

I’m concerned for Mrs. Raccoon…they mate for life. On the other hand, maybe she hadn’t found “Mr. Right” and will find him in the woods by the church! You’re doing an animal mating service. Could be a reality show!

Comment by Beth — July 1, 2010 #
Oh my gosh! We have one of those traps in our yard too, only I keep letting out the squirrels. Our problem is groundhogs and they are multiplying. What to do, what to do? If you have any suggestions, please let me know – my husband is getting very annoyed with this – his garden is dwindling and I don’t want him doing anything too drastic!!!

S.W.A.K.

Comment by Marsha — July 1, 2010 #
Just be glad you don’t live in CA. I saw on TV that if you trap an animal, you must release in the same spot you trapped it, which kind of defeats the purpose. These people had a family of skunks under their house and the law required them to release them in their yard.

I just plant enough for the animals and us and having our dog around seems to keep their hours of visitation in control.

Comment by Anne — July 1, 2010 #
wow! you have a diverse group of plant eaters!

i think i have finally gotten rid of the deer with some homemade deer repellent that i spray on constantly. really, i am obsessed!

Comment by randi — July 1, 2010 #
The rabbits are totally ruining a few of my plants so we put hair around them after David cut his hair. I haven’t seen a rabbit in the garden since.

You can probably ask at a local hair place if they will save a bag of clippings for you.

Comment by Sarah — July 1, 2010 #
Oh my lol, poor you and poor little critters … those eyes are just begging for your lillies. Hopefully they haven’t got homing instincts !!

Comment by periwinkle — July 1, 2010 #
LOL! Finding religion. That’s too much. I hope you’ve caught all your critters. I hope they don’t come back with an army of their critter friends though!

Comment by Jen — July 1, 2010 #
Whew! I feel so much better. I only have one marauding Scotty trampling my flowers, not an entire zoo!!!

Comment by Miss Jean — July 1, 2010 #
I have some animals in my back yard that need to join yours at church!

Comment by Blakely — July 1, 2010 #
Oh my goodness … that is crazy!!! Since you are so good at catching critters, feel free to come to my house and get that disgusting rat that’s been hanging around!!! :-)

Comment by MJ Smith — July 1, 2010 #
Yet another post that gave me the giggles! I’m sorry you’re having so many critter troubles–that is SO annoying! I’d tell you that the bunnies leave my impatiens and hostas and lilies and everything else alone but that would be rubbing salt in your wound so I won’t do that. But I WILL say–don’t give up the fight!! =)

Comment by Sarah — July 1, 2010 #
I really enjoyed this post! The picture I especially got a kick out of was the racoon. It looks like he’s trying to look as cute as possible. Reminds me of the cat in Shrek!

Hopefully they all attend prayer meeting and learn of their errant ways!

Comment by Quiltmonkey — July 1, 2010 #
Thanks for the memories and the laugh!

Comment by Susan — July 1, 2010 #
Ok…I’ve haven’t laughed that hard in a while…my side hurts. Great post!! Have a wonderful 4th of July!!

Comment by Jere'e @ Quilted Quickies — July 1, 2010 #
LOL – you’re bunny picture beats my bunny picture!!

I love how you’ve caught so many different dinner guests! They look so impressed!

Comment by Sew Create It - Jane — July 1, 2010 #
Wow, a zoo in your own back garden. Now if they weren’t dining on your pretty lillies then it would probably be really lovely … ya know, like something out of a disney movie lol. Can’t wait to see what you catch next lol!!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Comment by Joy :o) — July 1, 2010 #
I forgot to tell you before we left (I checked at the extension office) – rotten eggs should do the trick-you can actually buy it – somewhere – problem is that your beds stink!! It is so beautiful here – up in the mountains – oh my gosh. To be wealthy and be able to fly my jet in just for the weekend – you would love it. I will bring pictures. Great hike yesterday(hard) – fell and hit my little head – Andreas was even glad when we were done. The kids were white water rafting while we hiked- hopefully more hiking and rock climbing tomorrow. Ashville Saturday (no one wants to do Biltmore – idiots!). Mom would love it – I wish they would have come with us – you would love it too. Great quilt destination. Gotta go. Love ya. KL

Comment by mydadlovesmysisterbest — July 1, 2010 #
Sad for your plants but I’m glad you’ve been able to eliminate SOME of the problems!

I have to admit, I don’t really know what Bella is!

Comment by Karen — July 2, 2010 #
Critters eating plants is such a nuisance. Here in rural NZ we are allowed to shoot any really bad ones. ( opposums and rabbits mainly )

Comment by Ali Honey — July 2, 2010 #
I went traveling for a few days to places where there wasn’t any internet (yes, I know, we all do amazing things in the name of “family road trips”) but as soon as I got back to the net your blog came up with this post … HA HA HA – literally LOL. My head if filled with visions of all those critters sitting in pews with there heads hanging low while the preacher critter preaches about the error of their ways.

Comment by The Muse of The Day — July 2, 2010 #
Anna……you are a stitch. Well, my hostas in the back we eaten by something….I’m hoping it’s a bunny and not something worse. Oh, and one time, my mom had 6 raccoons in her chimney. She thought it was a bird. Raccoons give me the willies….you are brave!

Happy 4th!!

Amy

Comment by Amy — July 2, 2010 #
You have a whole gang of outlaws and bandits there! I hope they get religion and repent of their wicked ways. (but a guy’s gotta eat too!)

Happy Independence Day!
Jody

Comment by Jody — July 2, 2010 #
Oh, Anna, I laughed and laughed, and so did Mama. I was reading your post to her. At least your rodents are cute. We have intermittent rat infestations. They like chicken feed…..

Comment by Elaine/MuddlingThrough — July 2, 2010 #
Oh man…Hopefully they see the error of their ways :)
We had seen raccoon tracks early spring last year, so hubby decided to try and trap him. Well, we didn’t check the trap for a couple of days and it had been raining. When we finally checked, we found we had caught something…It was a ticked off…very wet…hungry stray cat. I stayed clear when they let it out. Never did catch the raccoon.
Sorry about your flowers.

Comment by Judy — July 2, 2010 #
Oh the joys of nature, till they come in your yard xoxo Clarice

Comment by clarice — July 2, 2010 #
Reading all this is just TOO funny… I live on (the bottom half of) Green Mountain and behind us it’s just woods, and I feed the birds. DH calls the back yard a birdy smorgasbord. In the past two years, we’ve relocated 19 (!) raccoons! Initially, DH was relocating them to where he thought was far enough away, but I swore they kept coming back (and threatened to paint their tails to prove it), but he started taking them across the river just in case. I am, however, somewhat dismayed to read above where they mate for life… well, DH always takes them to the same place, so hopefully, they’ll catch back up to each other in case of separation! Hooray for the catch and release plan! (I just cringe that one of these days we’re gonna wake up to find a skunk in the cage – and I KNOW DH ain’t gonna want to have ANYthing to do with releasing THAT one!!)

Comment by Michele in Huntsville — July 2, 2010 #
I enjoyed your post-and the pics of the critters! :) I, too, have nibbled on plants-the deer I used to feed corn to over the winter have taken a liking to the “salad” I am providing via my vegetable garden! If only we could trap and relocate them to find religion! Ha! :)

Comment by Jennifer Henson — July 3, 2010 #
Anna, Bill and I were just talking tonight after I watered my plants that I’m very dissapointed in my impatiens and hostas and petunias. They just aren’t flowering like they usually do. I think it’s the bunnies around here, but they’re making me mad!!!!

Comment by Tracey — July 3, 2010 #
Glad you managed to find the culprits – hopefully they’ll find some nice nibblings at the churchyard and not be popping back to you for their meals!

Comment by Julie — July 4, 2010 #
I was so excited to see your ‘header’ for the 4th!
Soooooo cute, clever, and creative!

I loved reading your story about the critters! The photos are so darn cute! Their little faces just want to make me melt. You could forget the fowers and start “The Critter Farm”

Happy 4th weekend!
Joni

Comment by jonipossin — July 4, 2010 #
BOOM! Sparkle, Sparkle!

Happy 4th!

S.W.A.K.

Comment by Marsha — July 4, 2010 #
Word has it, a local church has had an unusual attack on their landscaping!

Comment by Teresa — July 4, 2010 #
Oh Anna, those rascally rodents are indeed troublesome- Hope you have solved the problem and won’t have any more pesky visitors.
Have a great week.
Regards,
Anna

Comment by Quiltmom ( anna) — July 5, 2010 #
I recognise the racoon but who is the other one?

I hope you had a lovely Independence Day x

Comment by Emma — July 5, 2010 #
It’s good to see you have the rodents best interests at heart and have taken them to a church!!! As for us – I don’t think we should try to capture any wild animals that eat our stuff over the next few months…….could end up with a few dingos, snakes, crocs,,,,,you get the picture. Sorry I haven’t answered you sooner – things are a bit frantic here getting ready for the big adventure. But hopefully I’ll have lots of time on the road to email…

Comment by Jan — July 5, 2010 #
congrats on the war in defense of the garden….i have what would be gorgeous asian lilies with their one precious stem….ending in chew marks. as near as i can determine it is chipmunks. beavers stole two trees this spring including a little japanese maple, and the deer eat everything….even the cedar they supposedly don’t like…

Comment by nicole — July 5, 2010 #
oh my gosh that is to cute!!!!!!!!!!! they are really cute! when we moved into this house we were convinced we had a possum in the roof so we called the possum guy over and he goes upstairs and tells us oh no its not a possum you have rats! eeeeeewwwwwwwww he had to convince me they wouldn’t come into the house to bother me and he put some poison up there that makes them thirsty and run away from the house, never a rat again!

I’d take your critters over rats anyday!

Comment by corrie — July 5, 2010 #
Bee Hives! They look so cute. The cupcakes look so tasty and cute!

Comment by Meredith — July 6, 2010 #
Ha! “get religion”! Ha!

I’m going to tell my MiL about that one. She traps rabbits and chipmunks around her garden (though has trapped up raccoons and possum as well) and does the same thing – hauls them away.

Well, I wonder if taking them to The Lord would fix them.

Too funny, Anna. Good luck with your garden. That behavior pisses me off, too.

Comment by finnyknits — July 6, 2010 #
That’s too funny! Well, really annoying I’m sure, but it’s funny the way you write about it. My mom’s been finding bunnies in her flower pots, feasting….. the nerve!! I’ve been gloating about the lack of problems here but yesterday the farmer found a baby bunny on the porch eating my flowers! You’d think the wieners would keep them away!!

Comment by rohanknitter — July 6, 2010 #
You crack me up…really :) You do know they’re going to make a Disney movie about those poor critters and there dangerous journey back to your yard, so they can be reunited with their (now)starving babies…right? Gopher purge works for gophers and moles…so maybe for ground hogs too? Is there even a difference? I’ve always wondered that, not enough to actually google it or anything but still, I’ve pondered…Have you tried spraying liquid cayenne right on the plants? I can’t remember what it’s called but you can get it at organic type nurseries, I think home depot used to sell it. Kind of like tobasco in a sprayer, just make sure you wear goggles and stay downwind!!!

Your beehive applique is going to be adorable!! I’ve been working on things I’ve already started too. Today I worked on bindings ALL day. Tomorrow is borders, sigh. Flower Sugar is calling my name…I think I heard it calling you too lol!!!

Comment by Tammy — July 8, 2010 #
you are hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hope all your neighborhood rodents get religion. LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! i wouldn’t mind if the ones around here had a transformation as well. :)

Comment by amandajean — July 8, 2010 #
Hi Anna, I AM working on something SUPER fun – after a two week vacation sans the internet (oh my) I am back to blogging (t-shirt project finished) and reading your blog. I missed reading your blog. I came home and summer solstice had past, now the sun is moving back to it’s winter home. I too can not believe half the year has past.

Comment by The Muse of The Day — July 8, 2010 #
Have you ever tried hair clippings? It is pokey and the animals don’t like it. When my guy gets his hair cut he brings home a big bag of hair clippings and sprinkles them around our beds. It does the trick for us! Good luck and happiness…

Comment by gnee — July 8, 2010 #
Oh my goodness…..rodent wars indeed.

Comment by pamela — July 14, 2010 #