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How to deal with pests |
Some common pests of Epis are mentioned on the Main Growing Page. These pests are not as common but depending on where you live can cause a lot of damage in a short time.
1) RABBITS -First thing is to have your pots a minimum of 12 inches to 2 ft off the ground most rabbits wont climb very high, if there in hanging pots rabbits wont be a problem, there foragers so if its low and tender it’s a meal for them. If you just cant keep them away with proper fencing try this simple solution. Garlic juice-Crush a garlic or get it pre-crushed fresh cloves in a jar or can, dilute with enough water about 75% water to 25% garlic juice. Apply every week until they decide your epis are not very tasty anymore.
2) DEER -Well later I’ll add some links here for this product. It’s a motion activated sprinkler like your flood lights when they turn on, there’s a device that does it with a sprinkler/battery attached to a hose. It turns on and gets them wet when they pass by. They hate getting wet and it won’t hurt them. Works great for coyotes too.
3) RACCOONS -They seldom eat Epis but may dig up your pots/soil looking for bugs, put a stinky old shoe on both ends of the area, they smell humans and tend to stay away. Some are used to humans so a live critter trap or cage is the only way to move them away from the area.
4) BIRDS -Large crows can devour plants if they set there minds to it, try foil reflective tape or old/scratched DVD’s or CD’S tied up high with a string. The wind blows them around causing reflections, spooks them.
5) RATS -If you live in an area with lots of fruit trees around, pets with food outside there around. When those two sources run out they like the tender new growth on Epis in desperation for a tender meal. They can climb shade covers easily and tend to munch on the highest plants. Remove all food sources-dog/cat food, clean up thick bushes or wood piles where they might nest and put out poison bait boxes around the perimeter.
6) SCALE - This pest is bad enough to get a seperate page here!
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