Finding how to protect your watermelon farm is the only way to protect your hard-earned investment. Watermelons are very susceptible to pests and rodents. Let’s see how best we can protect our watermelon farms from animals and protect watermelons from squirrels.
If you want to protect your watermelon farm, you must first identify the animals destroying your watermelons. Most animals would like to take some juice from watermelons on open fields. What animals eat watermelon? Let’s list a few of them.
How to protect your watermelon farm
What animals eat watermelon?
- Birds: Pigeons, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, swans, pelicans, flamingos, parrots, toucans, macaws, and many more.
- Mammals: Deer, raccoons, bears, horses, pigs, cows, goats, sheep, camels, elephants, monkeys, and many more.
- Reptiles: Tortoises, iguanas, snakes, lizards, and turtles.
- Insects: Ants, bees, wasps, and many more.
How to protect watermelon from animals
Watermelons are a delicious and refreshing summer treat, but they can also be a target for animals. Protecting watermelons from animals is important for growing watermelons in your garden. Here are some tips:
- Use fencing. A fence is one of the most effective ways to keep animals out of your watermelon patch. Please ensure the fence is at least 6 feet tall and made of a material that animals can’t climb or burrow under.
- Use netting. Netting is another good option for protecting watermelons from animals. You can use bird netting, insect netting, or hardware cloth. Netting is less expensive than fencing, but it’s not as durable.
- Place melon cages around individual watermelons. Melon cages are a good way to protect individual watermelons from animals. They’re made of wire mesh and easy to place around the watermelons.
- Plant watermelons in raised beds. Raised beds are a good way to protect watermelons from animals because they’re more difficult for animals to climb.
- Mulch around your watermelon plants. Mulch helps to keep the soil moist, and it also deters animals. Use mulch that’s made of wood chips, bark, or straw.
- Inspect your watermelon patch regularly. Check your watermelon patch regularly for signs of animal damage. If you see any damage, take steps to repair it immediately.
- Use repellents. There are a variety of commercial repellents that can be used to deter animals from watermelons. Be sure to follow the directions on the label carefully.
What eats watermelon leaves?
If the leaves on your watermelon plants are browning with tan undersides, you’re probably dealing with spider mites. These small watermelon pests, like aphids, prey on the underside of leaves by sucking sap from plant cells.
Homemade pesticide for watermelon
- Finely chop one garlic bulb and a small onion.
- Add the chopped garlic and onion to a quart of water.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder.
- Steep the mixture for at least an hour or up to overnight.
- Strain the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Add a squirt of liquid castile or dish soap.
- Shake the spray bottle to mix well.
- Spray the mixture on your watermelon plants, paying special attention to the leaves and stems.
- Reapply the spray every few days or as needed.
Conclusion
You can also try planting marigolds around your watermelon patch. Marigolds have a strong scent that some animals find unpleasant, and by doing so, you can protect your watermelon farm.
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REFERENCES
- Watermelon farming manual PDF https://www.starkeayres.com/uploads/files/Watermelon-Production-Guideline-2019.pdf
- How to protect cantaloupe from bugs https://www.growgardener.com/how-to-protect-your-watermelon-farm/
- Homemade melon Cradles
