It has happened again, another damaging attack on my figs by a stinking packrat.   This occurred in my garage this time unlike last year's event http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/young-fig-plants-mowed-down-seeking-culprit-6042811?highlight=ingevald+packrat that occurred outside.    I had just watered the stored dormant figs about 6 days ago and all was well.   I stuck a heater in my garage two nights ago due to the -3 deg F nighttime temps.   I was not paying as close attention the other night but there were definitely no problems as of a week ago.   This critter(s) moves quickly.

I am frustrated by the damage.   It trimmed several plants over the entire area but the worst damage was to my smaller plants, cutting some close to soil level.   It also went after some air layers intended for folks and made off with some labels in the process.

I located the nest, confirming it is a packrat and have set several traps - not quite a minefield, but close.  I'll try to remember to post an update if the problem gets resolved.

I am posting this mainly for those folks who store figs during the winter.   I have learned in recent years that packrats and voles can be extremely destructive.  I imagine that other rodents can also cause problems.   Check on your plants during the dormancy season so that any developing issue can be stopped.

Ingevald

with new construction around here, i noticed some sign of mice. set up some live catch traps, but no luck. i hope they don't try to bite off my trees.

Thanks for the heads up! Hope they stay at bay from now on.

Ingevald, I have a terrible time with voles here. They tunnel down next to a tree and eat ALL the roots. Sometimes they even sever the tree in two before you even know they are there. They are even worse in my hoophouse because they feel safe in there and they destroyed a lot of trees last year before I was able to get everything high enough off the ground. This year they have even been on my benches - can't figure out how they are climbing up there. Traps haven't worked at all for me. Just today I put out some ZP poison. I have been trying hard not to use but I just can't keep feeding them my trees...

I'm sorry to hear of the damage, Ingevald, that's a shame.

A few weeks ago I had a mouse move into one of my greenhouses and eat all my young spinach plants.  I used to have a pet outdoor cat that did an amazing job of eliminating varmints, but she passed away last year.  Might have to adopt a new feline sheriff to guard the figs.

Well, here is the update.    I set snap traps and my squirrel size live trap yesterday.   This morning I found a well fed packrat in the live trap (banana, peanut butter & raisins must have been attractive!).   I'll set it again just in case there is a partner involved.   I've included a couple of photos.   The dog was quite curious.

Ingevald

 
 

Ingevald,
Thanks for starting this topic and the update.
You made me look... : )
I just checked all my potted figs and they are are all OK.
It will take me a bit longer to check the in ground figs, they are covered under about 10 inches of snow.

I'm sorry this is happening to you again.

   I'm glad you didnt need to use poison.  One time we used green rat poison and I'll never use that again.  It was agonizing, slow death for them.  All mammals suffer the same as dogs and cats so I'm interested in learning humane ways to control pests.
Soni

To repel them I would try moth balls stuffed in an old sock with quite a few drops of mint oil sprinkled on for good measure. Maybe 1 package every 10 sq feet or so. I, myself prefer the direct approach of the good 'ol mousetrap.

 I think the old fashioned mouse traps are probably the most humane, most of the time,  plus no poison to deal with.    I'm not opposed to quick kills when necessary but I'm going to try the mothballs hanging around my chicken coop first. I could plant mint around it too. The chickens free range by day so maybe they'd let it grow.

Hi,
Against voles try the following : plant jonquils or some "Fritillaria imperialis" in the ground all around the trees. The Jonquil's bulb is poisonous , if the voles touch, they go / to the opposite don't plant tulips .
The big advantage is once the jonquil are in place they do the job for you and they are quit hardy, not to mention that they are beautiful.
You would just need to replace some of the jonquils until you get rid of the voles.
Did I already mention that it helps keep Madame happy to have a nice looking garden with flowers in april ?