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 niteowl
GrandPaw
 
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,781
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 Moth balls for vermin prevention 
#376239 - 03/01/10 03:10 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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I'm not growing, but a friend said that he has used moth balls placed near his plants
to prevent skunks and armadillos from digging up the roots, he said it was also good for bugs
I question the safety of this method.
Any ideas/opinions?
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The Ego is a pathological conditionlike a calcareous tumor or cystthat begins growing in the personalityin the absence of hallucinogenic substances-Terence McKenna-
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 encryptor
Green Thumb #1
Registered: 05/26/09
Posts: 125
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: niteowl]
#376404 - 03/01/10 06:45 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Yup, I completely agree. This should also deter snakes too! Plan on using mouse traps as well. : 
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encryptor
Green Thumb #1
Registered: 05/26/09
Posts: 125
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: encryptor]
#376406 - 03/01/10 06:47 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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but really not good for our environment, so be sparing. Don't want toxic mary jane either.
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour 
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: encryptor]
#376410 - 03/01/10 06:53 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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I think it's a good idea. It would keep animals away in general. I wouldn't worry to much about mice. As long as the moth balls aren't close enough to leach into the plants it shouldn't be a problem.
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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niteowl
GrandPaw
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,781
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: DrGreenThumb]
#376596 - 03/01/10 10:57 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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As long as the moth balls aren't close enough to leach into the plants it shouldn't be a problem
Thats the issue though, he is talking about putting them within 2-3 inches of the stalk
I don't know if the Moth Balls would harm the plant, or the bud
'cause you know that some of it will leech into the soil
what would be a good distance to put the moth balls from the stalk?
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The Ego is a pathological conditionlike a calcareous tumor or cystthat begins growing in the personalityin the absence of hallucinogenic substances-Terence McKenna-
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: niteowl]
#376648 - 03/02/10 04:27 AM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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I think the solution would be to put a few mothballs in like a small disposable butter dish or something, and put it close to the stalk. The smell in the air should be enough to keep pests away. Just spike the container down on the sides with a few nails to keep the wind from blowing it away.
Not sure if leeching would hurt the plant but I'm sure it can't be good for you. It probably wouldn't hurt the plant at all but don't quote me on that.
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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niteowl
GrandPaw
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,781
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: DrGreenThumb]
#376680 - 03/02/10 07:16 AM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Thanks for the butter dish idea.
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The Ego is a pathological conditionlike a calcareous tumor or cystthat begins growing in the personalityin the absence of hallucinogenic substances-Terence McKenna-
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: niteowl]
#376681 - 03/02/10 07:29 AM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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No problem. I am also going to try using mothballs this year in the same way. Mothballs and a bottle of animal and insect repellent to spray on surrounding foliage should do the trick for my area. No spider mites around here. I don't think I've ever seen a spider mite before.
OHH. And a copper strip around the stem to stop slugs. Can't forget that.
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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niteowl
GrandPaw
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,781
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: DrGreenThumb]
#376997 - 03/02/10 03:06 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Hmmm, never thought about spraying the leaves w/an animal/insect spray.
I live in the southern US....do you recommend a particular brand?
Will the spray keep deer away?
We were hoping the Moth Balls would repel any large animals
Those things will devour your plants when they are small 
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The Ego is a pathological conditionlike a calcareous tumor or cystthat begins growing in the personalityin the absence of hallucinogenic substances-Terence McKenna-
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hisheater
trigger man
Registered: 02/03/09
Posts: 61
Last seen: 13 years, 6 months
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: niteowl]
#378311 - 03/04/10 08:09 AM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Cervantes recommends putting chicken wire over your plants until they are big enough to take care of themselves. Where I am there are so many deer they just walk around town so I will be doing this method as well this year.
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They call them fingers but I never see them fing... Oh wait, there they go.
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Doo Yoo Hookah???
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niteowl
GrandPaw
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,781
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: hisheater]
#378556 - 03/04/10 06:21 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Yea, that's the best bet.
We have TONS of deer here too
but I dont have a place to grow close
we will take our lil plants on trip with a 4 wheeler
and spread our plants over a several mile (20) wide area
they will be (for the most part) on their own
the will only be checked on every 7-10 days
we need to find a fairly fool proof way of keeping the varmits away
that doesn't include trying to tote a bail of wire with us 
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The Ego is a pathological conditionlike a calcareous tumor or cystthat begins growing in the personalityin the absence of hallucinogenic substances-Terence McKenna-
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Magash
The Feminizer
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 6,634
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: niteowl]
#378622 - 03/04/10 09:01 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Moth balls work great. Put them in containers and put holes in the containers and hang them. Put some in a cool whip or some kind of plastic butter container and put holes in it also and put it near the stalk.
     
My outdoor work
Now if you want something that really works they make synthetic lions piss. I sprayed it one time in a garden and I didn't even see birds in the area on that grow. 
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All creatures tremble when faced with violence. All creatures fear death, all love life. If we can only see ourselves in others, then how could we possibly hurt another creature?
 Join us at the Growery!
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Inverted
CNC Machinist/Greenthumb
Registered: 06/01/08
Posts: 9,953
Loc: North Star
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: Magash]
#378634 - 03/04/10 09:18 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Hahah good advice Magash!
I use coyote and fox urine sprayed all over the surrounding vegetation as well as fishing line tied 2-3 feet above the ground all over the place, it freaks them out and they usually dip off.
Also when they are very young, I will sometimes put 3-5 inch stones all around the stalks so that nothing tries to dig up the fresh soft soil, because they WILL, and it really works. If they dig it will be far enough from the main root system to not cause damage. Irish Spring soap bars cut into slices and made into a perimeter also helps w/ deer somewhat. I rely on the urine or a physical barrier over those methods. I also wait to pee until I get to my plot so I can piss myself some human piss barrier along with everything else. Haven't lost a plant for 2 years using this method.
Quote:
DrGreenThumb said:
OHH. And a copper strip around the stem to stop slugs. Can't forget that.
Great Advice!!! 
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Don't criticize what you can't understand
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Inverted
CNC Machinist/Greenthumb
Registered: 06/01/08
Posts: 9,953
Loc: North Star
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: Inverted]
#378635 - 03/04/10 09:19 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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And a little dish of beer for slugs, if that's a problem.
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Don't criticize what you can't understand
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Magash
The Feminizer
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 6,634
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: Inverted]
#378637 - 03/04/10 09:27 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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True beer gets rid of slugs and snails but a ring of salt around the plant will also do that without attracting other pests to the area. Both my dogs and cats love beer.
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All creatures tremble when faced with violence. All creatures fear death, all love life. If we can only see ourselves in others, then how could we possibly hurt another creature?
Join us at the Growery!
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niteowl
GrandPaw
Registered: 04/20/08
Posts: 4,781
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: Magash]
#378665 - 03/04/10 10:41 PM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Wow, thanks for alla the advice.
we will be putting some seeds in small pots sometime this week
how big should we let them get before taking them into the wild?
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The Ego is a pathological conditionlike a calcareous tumor or cystthat begins growing in the personalityin the absence of hallucinogenic substances-Terence McKenna-
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DrGreenThumb
Registered: 08/09/08
Posts: 487
Loc: Phish Tour
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Re: Moth balls for vermin prevention [Re: niteowl]
#378715 - 03/05/10 05:56 AM (14 years, 9 months ago) |
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Wow, this thread has gone a lot further than mothballs!!!
This is the best outdoor advice thread I've seen in a long time! Thanks for all the input guys. I'll be putting all of these to use this spring/summer. Eye-opening. 
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“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” -Dr. Seuss
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