How Do You Keep Coyotes Away From Watermelons?

Over the years, the only deterrent we have found that works is putting a tomato cage over the watermelons as they start to grow. The coyotes have yet to figure out how to move the cages and the melons can’t be pulled through the wire. We manage to save a few watermelons each year using this method.

Will coyotes eat watermelon?

Despite their reputation for grabbing small animals, coyotes (Canis latrans) also love juicy watermelons, especially in dry summer weather, just like humans do. The damage to watermelon crops can be extensive, with reports of coyotes eating as many as 20 melons in one night being fairly common.

How do I keep animals from eating my watermelon?

All you need to do is place a melon cage over each of your watermelon plants. This common method of protection will not guard against insect damage but it is effective against rodents and birds. Place this melon cage over your plants to protect melon plants from birds and mammals.

How do you keep coyotes away?

➢ Ammonia-soaked rags or apply to an area with a squirt bottle. Must be re-applied over time/after rain. ➢ Motion lighting, strobe lighting, and blinking holiday lights. ➢ Other odor deterrents (such as cayenne pepper or vinegar in water guns or balloons, etc).

How do you fight a coyote?

Throw small stones, sticks, tennis balls or anything else you can lay your hands on. Remember the intent is to scare and not to injure. Spray with a hose, if available, or a squirt gun filled with water and vinegar. Shake or throw a “coyote shaker”—a soda can filled with pennies or pebbles and sealed with duct tape.

Will coyotes eat watermelon rinds?

Crows and raccoons will poke holes in the watermelons or just scoop some of the insides out, but coyotes will eat them right down to the rinds.

What animal naturally eats watermelon?

Raccoons and deer also like watermelons, particularly as the fruit becomes ripe. Damage inflicted by these animals usually is less extensive than the handiwork of coyotes. They may make holes in the rind and scoop or chew some of the inside of the flesh, but they don’t usually consume an entire melon.

How do I protect my watermelon farm?

Coolong stresses that the best way to protect vines is to turn them back in drive rows. Watermelon fields are set up in several groups of five or six beds that are divided by larger drive rows, which make the vines accessible by farm equipment.

What to put under watermelons while growing?

Instead, place small patches of plastic sheeting, coarse straw or a piece of plywood directly under melon fruits that have become at least softball sized. As long as the melon doesn’t rest directly atop wet soil or mulch, there’s much less chance for the melon’s underside to rot.

What is eating my watermelon plants?

If you’ve ever tried to grow watermelons (Citrullus lanatus), you’ve probably noticed insects, such as aphids, leafminers and caterpillars, like to eat parts of the plant almost as much as you enjoy eating the fruit. Repelling these pests is the key to growing a crop of watermelons good enough to eat.

What smell do coyotes hate?

Coyotes have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food sources and hunt in packs. You can take advantage of this by repelling them with smells they dislike, such as wolf urine, white vinegar, strong perfumes, and cayenne/chili pepper.

Do wind chimes keep coyotes away?

There are things you can try, such as predator eyes, wind chimes, leaving lights on, kites, and wind socks. Male urine around the perimeter of the yard will deter a coyote. Keep in mind, that these deterrents may only work temporarily; as the coyotes acclimate they will realize it is not an actual threat.

What are coyotes afraid of?

As a general rule, coyotes do have a healthy dose of fear about certain things. In truth, coyotes are afraid of people, objects thrown in their direction, loud noisemakers and sounds, bright lights, and predator urine. All of these can help to repel and deter coyotes from your property.

What does it mean when a coyote stares at you?

A coyote sighting is generally a message to take a look within, to not take life too seriously, to lighten up, and to learn to laugh at ourselves and even our mistakes. Coyotes also remind us that anything we do to others will come back to us—good or bad.

How do you know if a coyote is around?

But first, find out whether you need to take action with these 4 ways to determine if coyotes are crossing your property.

1. 1) The Noises at Night (and Sometimes During the Day)
2. 2) The Scats (A Nice Word for Feces)
3. 3) The Tracks (Similar, but Not Identical to Dogs)
4. 4) Dead Animals (They’re Food, Not Friends)

Will a coyote eat a human?

There have only been two recorded incidences in the United States and Canada of humans being killed by coyotes. One involved a child in Southern California in the 1980s and the other a 19-year old woman in Nova Scotia in 2009. These events, rare as they are, are serious and warrant serious response.

What animal eats watermelon rinds?

Yes, squirrels love nuts, vegetables, and fruit.
They will eat almost any variety of fruit, and for watermelons, this includes the rind. The squirrels’ love of fruits and vegetables makes them a farmer’s nightmare.

Will squirrels eat watermelon?

As long as it is fed in moderation, watermelon is safe for squirrels. This doesn’t mean that you should give your squirrels watermelon on a daily basis. Squirrels are scavengers and won’t have a problem getting the foods they need to stay healthy, without having to eat watermelon.

What can you do with watermelon rinds?

5 Smart Uses for Your Watermelon Rind

1. Pickle it. Plan to make this a few days before you use it, so the rind has plenty of time to develop a tangy pickled flavor.
2. Make it into a chutney.
3. Use it in an Indian curry.
4. Make it into a cool gazpacho.
5. Candy it.

Will a deer eat watermelon?

The answer is Yes. They eat watermelons and many other fruits. Deer particularly eat watermelons when they are ripe, which can ruin the harvest. They make holes in the watermelon rind and chew the tasty flesh on the inside.

Do possums eat watermelon?

And, they are doing so in the most adorable way possible. This group of five sibling opossums is thoroughly enjoying their bowl of delicious watermelon. If everyone liked fruit this much, we would be a much healthier world! Opossums are, sadly, regularly hit by cars in North America.