A place to discuss any pest problems you might have

I have to tell you, I discovered the most wonderful device in the world this year. The garden scarecrow. I was having wild turkeys and birds steal my raspberries, and rabbits eating my irises and lilies, and last year I had purchased the garden scarecrow on sale, so I tried it this year. You hook it up to a water hose, and when it detects motion it sprays in a large arc. Well, it didn't take long for the birds and the rabbits to get the picture. I move it around and turn it on every few nights, and it has been amazing.

It works with a battery, and just hook it up to a hose. It's not cheap, but no chemicals. I just love it.

I always saw it.. and wondered if it worked.. thanks!!... Randy's mom Michele gave me a solar.. sonic critter chaser.. but supposed to scare off stray dogs as well.. when I walked one of the dogs behind it.. no reaction .. don't think so thank goodness she didn't pay for it

The scarecrow worked amazingly well. Especially when the water was either nice and warm, or really cold. We saw it spray a few birds, and it wasn't strong enough to hurt them.

We have a watering ban on. Would that mess it up?

no water no workie

It only sprays when it sees something move, so it wouldn't be often. And after the first few sprays the critters seem to know not to go there. But, yes, it needs water to work.

It may be ok with the ban as it only works when it 'sees' movement

does it work at night?

it will if it has a costume like your picture

aaawww picking on poor gossamer

It works whenever you have it turned on. There's a control for turning it on and off. I turn mine off during the day lately, so the hot water from the hose won't burn the raspberries.

I gotta tell you, I am so happy with it. Obviously it doesn't work on bugs, but for the two and four legged pests it's just amazing. I used to spray those stinky sprays for rabbits that were eating my lilies, no more. So, I know it's going to save money in the long run.

Please know I have no stake in this company, LOL. I sound like an advertisement.

hey if it works it works.. you should spread the word.. Randy has a plan for the hose in back.. so we might give it a try

i have a plan for a rabbit eating our carrot tops - havahart

glad the hose is working out polly

Sounds like a great product Polly. Other than Liatris and some Tulips the cottontails seem to like the weeds more than anything. The chipmunks however are another story entirely. Holes in the lawn by the little ones I don't mind, but they've gotten into way too many beds that are finally starting to look acceptable. Downeast grown fox pee works for too short a time so I've reverted to old school. Not a happy solution but they were way too persistent.

My biggest problem now is mites I think. Little red buggers, "spider" webs and curled leaves (one the perennials), dead growth on the conifers. Many of the Mugo, Alberta Spruce and Viburnum have taken a beating. I've sprayed as much as I could with a systemic but I think they're present in just too many places. Anyone have any ideas?

I am not good with those things.. sorry.. Bill???

Evan, my inspector was here recently and said to use a systemic in the fall on the conifers. He suggested the Bayer tree and shrub drench to drench the ground below the conifers. have you used that? I will use it this fall. I have two blue spruce, in a row of blue spruce that are about 5' tall that are dying on the top. Kinda makes me sick to see it. They were in such perfect sync with each other.

I've been using a foliar spray Polly. The root drench sounds like a great idea. I'll spray the foliage one more time to keep them in check, but maybe the drench will take care of the problem for keeps. Plus I won't have to move anymore bir...., oops, I don't think I'm supposed to say that. The spray is nasty stuff and I hate using it, but I hate loosing these old shrubs as well. The Alberta Spruce is about 10' high and the Mugo range from 7-12' wide. As to the Viburnum they are in a sad state and this is year 3 in trying to revitalize them.

thanks Polly!!!

Allison, I forgot to mention that the hummers have a nest in one of these shrubs and I haven't touched that one. And the two beds where their flowers are, are also un-sprayed.