Quote: We have no pets. Have a gazillion kids and grandkids, and we have done our time (but we have a gazillion gophers and voles too)! So I'm taking a chance on this one! Just purchased 124 Castor Bean seeds from Ebay for cheap. The plant is gorgeous, as are the blooms, but the seeds contain ricin which will kill an adult in a nano, and a gopher even faster!! I will germinate 2 seeds at a time until one takes, and will surround that plant with chicken wire so no grand-kid or bird can get close. We will let it seed, and handle the seeds with gloves. Into each hole on our acreage will go one seed, and also under every deck. Too many gophers, voles and rats, and too little time! The entire property, well most is fenced, and if we accidently get a squirrel, a fox, a bob cat, a lynx, a raccoon, a possum, or any other destructive thing, won't bother me a bit!!
Because of the chain link fence (very sturdy) coyotes or dogs belonging to neighbors can't enter.
Suzi, a couple things. First, I see Martin has already made it very clear that coyotes have zero problem scaling a fence. I have seen them scramble up a 15' chainlink fence, which is actually very easy for them to scale, due to being able to gain a foothold in the links. If there is something on the other side of that fence they want, they will simply jump right over - like chickens, small dogs, and their very favorite "meal", a housecat. They routinely scaled my chainlink fence here in Vista every single day until I bought two large Australian Shepherds that now competently guard not only our property, but the surrounding area, as we run with them in the hills, and they go after the coyotes. They have taken a few down, and now the coyotes steer clear of our property. Plus, our kitty is not allowed outside ever. So, if you're thinking your future chickens will be safe, they will not. What we did for our chickens when we had them, was to put them in a large chainlink dog kennel that was completely enclosed, top, sides and bottom. That kept out coyotes, weasels, foxes and hawks/owls. Just a warning. You really need a safe roosting place at night that is "bombproof", or you'll find out the hard (and sad) way.
Secondly, do NOT PLANT CASTOR BEAN PLANTS. They are horrifically poisonous not only to dogs and cats, but also to humans, especially the peanut-sized ones. Plus, the animals you're trying to kill won't eat the seeds - they know not to. Just our dumb domestic pets and little kids will eat the seeds. Plus, they are on the California list of invasive plants. Once planted, they spread and compete with our native flora. You'll never get rid of the damned stuff. They will serve you zero purpose. If you're trying to eradicate gophers buy yourself several MacAbee traps or the Black Box traps. Find the main tunnel, dig down, set two traps next to each other, facing away from each other. Bait with peanut butter. Cover them up so the light doesn't shine through. Continue to do this until your trap all your gophers. Watch in the spring when tunneling activity goes up, and trap, trap, trap. This is "organic" and it is much safer and far more effective.
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