The Coastal Gardener:

Seems like I get more questions about controlling unwanted animals in a garden than just about any other topic.

A couple of weeks ago Jill in Costa Mesa wrote the following: “I have discovered that my vegetable garden isn’t for me this year. Something has decided to eat the tops of the corn, as well as the silks, and also the leaves of my beans. Someone suggested spraying a mixture of vinegar and water, which I did. We will see tonight if that did any good. Someone has also suggested a chili-water combination. I also think a rat or squirrel is eating my tomatoes, since I keep finding partially eaten green tomatoes on the ground. Any suggestions what I can do so I may actually have some vegetables?

“My house backs up to the flood control/Santa Ana River, across the street is the MV golf course. So, I know there are animals around me.”

Not far away, Katherine wrote, “Some red squirrels have been visiting my yard for about a year; I enjoy them and give them corn and peanuts. Mostly, they live in a large liquidambar tree in the front yard, which gives me a perfect view of their playful activities. Recently, though, they have been chewing off surprisingly large branch ends of a peppermint tree and are now munching on the rubber parts of the twinkle lights in the tree. In addition to breaking the lighting, they create a mess on the patio, which is littered almost every day with tree parts and broken bulbs. Any ideas for something I could spray on the tree to discourage their bad-squirrel behaviors?”

Well, Jill and Katherine, at least you’re supporting local wildlife, though not as you intended.

I’m afraid there are no sure-fire answers for controlling unwanted animals in a garden. Jill’s nighttime raiders are probably rats or California ground squirrels. Especially during the dry, warm summer months when other food sources become less available, these animals will move into vegetable and fruit gardens. California ground squirrels love tomato fruits and also feed on the greens of various vegetables, but are active only during daylight hours, not at night. Other possibilities include raccoons, but their presence is associated with noticeable digging and soil disruption. Opossums also feed on tomatoes, but not the corn silks.

Looking at the soil for waste droppings is probably the best way to be sure of what you are dealing with. Rat and squirrel droppings are similar, but differ in size. Opossum feces resemble those of a small cat, while those of a raccoon are more like a medium-sized dog.

In Katherine’s situation, at least we know who the little hooligans are. Katherine is dealing with an alien animal called a fox squirrel. Fox squirrels, native to the eastern U.S., arrived in the Los Angeles area about a hundred years ago. Considered a pest species because of agricultural damage, over the past century they have slowly expanded their range. In 1998 they arrived in parts of Costa Mesa and made it to Newport Beach about 2002.

Rats and squirrels are related and both have teeth that are continually growing. They gnaw and chew on just about anything. Squirrels like to chew on wiring in particular. They don’t chew on the wiring to sharpen their teeth as is sometimes stated; they chew on it to clean their teeth. This serves as a sort of squirrel dental floss and squirrels floss very regularly. The soft plastic outer covering on home wiring is a perfect teeth-cleaning material.

As for my advice, I would probably stop feeding the fox squirrels. Safe and non-harmful live traps are usually pretty effective, but what to do with the squirrel is controversial topic that I think I’ll stay clear of. You won’t have much success on squirrels with repellents, either home made or commercial, at least not in a whole-garden application.

For Jill’s rat or ground squirrel problem I suggest traps or baits, although you’re simply reducing the problem, not eliminating it. Traps or baits, if properly placed and diligently maintained will be quite effective. Always use a bait station when applying either of these techniques outdoors. Bait stations are plastic enclosures that have entrances for the rats or squirrels, but keep the bait well out of reach of children, domestic pets or other wildlife. Bait stations and baits are slightly different from rats to ground squirrels, so it would be best to determine the identity of the pest first.

Bait stations need to be checked and the bait re-filled or refreshed almost daily, at least for the first couple of weeks, less thereafter. If you prefer, you can hire a professional pest control company that will place and monitor these stations for you.

Ask Ron

Question:

I am using a row of Prunus Bright ‘N Tight as a screen plant along the edge of my garden. Although this plant is perfect for my use, the leaves are not as deep green as when I first planted it. I feed it regularly, with no improvement. Any suggestions?

Bradley

Newport Beach

Answer:

The lush, deep green foliage and narrow, full habit of Bright ‘N Tight has made this a very popular choice as a screen or foundation plant. However, Bright ‘N Tight prefers soil that is just a little less alkaline than what many of our gardens offer. I frequently see these shrubs with leaves that are somewhat blotchy and pale in color. I suggest you alternate feeding these with a low PH fertilizer, such as you would use for azaleas and camellias. Shortly, the deep green color of the foliage will return.

RON VANDERHOFF is the Nursery Manager at Roger’s Gardens, Corona del Mar.