Well, I was just a couple of days from my early variety sweet corn being ready for me to try, and something beat me to the chance on Sunday night. It appears to be typical coon damage, but it's wet enough, that the tracks aren't real defined. This variety is so short, though, that it could be almost anything that will eat corn. Over the years, we've seen coon, deer, fox, cats, skunks, coyotes, etc. in the sweet corn. I'd like to see what you have done in other areas to repel similar pests. We've tried several different things, with varying success depending on the year, etc. Has anyone used diluted bleach or ammonia solution sprayed around the perimeter of the patch right before dark?
Something's in the sweet corn...
- Thread starter DarinO
- Start date
John *.?-!.* cub owner
501 Club
electric fencer works good for me, put one strand 6 inches above ground, and another 6 to 8 inches above that. My corn had several ears that were not worth picking, and the night after I turned the fencer off the coons destroyed what was left.
My first guess would be coon. They tend to shred the husk somewhat and eat the corn just before it is ripe enough to suit me. I also use an electric fence quite sucessfully. Doesn't have to be a big unit. My first was meant as a pet fence. Have a bigger garden now and use a regular farm fence charger unit. I have also used the permanent solution. Around here coons are a large carrier of rabies so I handle with care if I do trap them for raiding the bird feeders and tipping the bird bath. Vern
John *.?-!.* cub owner
501 Club
Was looking garden over today, and noticed a couple ears down. ground is to dry and hard to see tracks, so i just put the electric fence up. One strand 6 inches above ground, and another 6 inches above that. I figure anything small will get into it, whether it be coon or skunk. Big problem is that ground is so dry it may not hit very hard.
Super bright light shining over the patch,--PLUS some loud obnoxious radio on only at night so that they dont get used to hearing it in daylight hours, worked for us last year,---ele. fence didnt!! they went right thru it!!!---light, and radio seem to put a stop to it! thanks; sonny
The deer and our little four legged furry friends take about 60 to 75% of my corn anyhoo. So i plant more so we get some too. We still have enough corn for all winter(frozen). But now we also have a blackbear and possibly a family of bruins to feed too. He's been spotted at 4pm making his rounds already again. I have bear droppings in my yard again. Anyway i figure its fresh meat on the hoof or paw if need be and its local and i know were its a been a eatin too.
Don McCombs
501 Club
Something's been in my corn, too. Fortunately, it was ME. 
First corn of the season for dinner tonight.
As far as the intended topic, we use Liquid Fence. It's not cheap, but it does the job.
First corn of the season for dinner tonight.As far as the intended topic, we use Liquid Fence. It's not cheap, but it does the job.
ScottyD'sdad
501 Club
Don McCombs":2s118fs7 said:Something's been in my corn, too. Fortunately, it was ME.
As far as the intended topic, we use Liquid Fence. It's not cheap, but it does the job.
Just getting your first corn, now? I had my first, just before leaving, for the Tug! (wasn't the good stuff, that started last week) Ed
ScottyD'sdad":19njr5ge said:Don McCombs":19njr5ge said:Something's been in my corn, too. Fortunately, it was ME.
As far as the intended topic, we use Liquid Fence. It's not cheap, but it does the job.
Just getting your first corn, now? I had my first, just before leaving, for the Tug! (wasn't the good stuff, that started last week) Ed
You folks who were at the Tug early enough to to enjoy Cecils chicken had the chance to have some of our sweet corn.
Don McCombs
501 Club
Bill, don't forget I live in the mountains. Frost in about 60 days.
Goraidh (Jeff)
501 Club
Critters are extremely adaptive, so changing up your deterrents on a regular basis is important to success. I try to change up and move my deterrents around once a week anyway. Seems to work pretty well.
I had some later maturing ears on some of my corn and have noticed that the VOLES have moved back into that area of the farm and promptly invaded the corn!---YES they do climb up the stalks and chew on the ends of the ears, shredding the shuck down as they go.--they also climb up into the apple trees and hack the ripe sweet side of the apples just before they get ripe too!---must be a heck of a ride when they cut the stem off while they are sitting on the apple and hit the ground!
Chipmunks are also a problem in my garden this year too and they too will shred the corn ears!---The tooth marks on the ears show mine to be VOLE and chipmunk damage so these could also be your un-seen --no- trackin' varmints too! thanks; sonny
Chipmunks are also a problem in my garden this year too and they too will shred the corn ears!---The tooth marks on the ears show mine to be VOLE and chipmunk damage so these could also be your un-seen --no- trackin' varmints too! thanks; sonny