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Tonycm

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
I was told that rats do not like mint. If that goes for mice and voles too then it might be a good idea to plant it at the base of fig trees. Even though it's invasive it would help to stop rodents from girdling the bark during the winter months. Does anyone know if that is true. If it is, then it'd help save a lot of trees from being damaged. I've had several trees damaged from voles and would like to find something that would stop them.
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dawgdrvr

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Tony,
            Welcome . I grow Apples and Asian pears (40+ trees)  I used to have a real big mole and rat  problem until 2 years ago . I asked my local  AG agent What was a humane way to get rid of them . He advised me to grow GARLIC at the base of my trees . I now grow 14 different strains of garlic. both soft and hard neck varieties.(Garlic gives off sulfur) As far as mint goes. My step son had a mouse problem and he has a 5 and a 7 year old, so no mouse traps .We planted mint around the perimeter of the house and no more problem. and it's been 4 years . Mice do NOT like the scent of mint leaves, mint oil or peppermint oil. i hope that helps .
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Cody
Grand Mound,WA 98579
Plantmaps Zone 7~A, Sunset Zone 4 and USDA Zone 8~A.

WISH LIST: San Pedro ,Breba & Early crop Figs and ANY figs from 'Belleclare Nursery'
musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 

It seems to me that the voles around here are all grass eaters. I don't think they would go after bark, but rabbits do. Could your problem be rabbits?
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pitangadiego

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
May be, but figs are gopher magnets.

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paully22

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 
I know this lady that used to bred RATS for sale. She supplies just over 10,000 of these rats(big ones) to a wholesaler and she said rats eat almost every vege except that they hate Garlic. Business was very good for her until the authorities discovered her set-up and closed it down. The rats were meant for "pet food".
musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Jon,

For better or worse, we don't have gophers in these parts, but I can imagine what they can do to soft wood. Garlic repels a lot of things. I plant it around my roses to keep grubs away, then I hang it around my neck to keep relatives away.
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Wildforager

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 
I used to work with a guy that would shell cloves of garlic like peanuts and eat it raw. This guy was something else, breath to make your eyes water and farts to peel wallpaper.
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musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #8 

Besides repelling a variety of pests, it is suppose to be a "wonder food" full of anti-oxidants. If it wards off rodents, and you get to garnish your steak with it, why not grow it with your figs!?  Anyone know any fig-garlic recipes?
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dawgdrvr

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Posted Reply with quote  #9 
How does Fig and Garlic stuffed, Bacon wrapped Smoked Pork Loin sound? 
I have the Recipe if anybody wants it .
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Cody
Grand Mound,WA 98579
Plantmaps Zone 7~A, Sunset Zone 4 and USDA Zone 8~A.

WISH LIST: San Pedro ,Breba & Early crop Figs and ANY figs from 'Belleclare Nursery'
musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #10 

Sounds delicioso. Send it!
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non compost mentis in Zone 6a
dawgdrvr

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Posted Reply with quote  #11 
 Garlic and Fig stuffed, Bacon wrapped Pork Loin

1 1/2 cups (10oz) peeled figs ,diced .
8-10 cloves of Garlic peeled and cut into slivers.
1 Cup cooked brown rice.
1   4-6 lb Pork loin. (fat cap removed ).
1/2 Cup  dark brown sugar
1tsp each of Kosher salt,Fresh ground black pepper & white pepper .
1lb sliced Bacon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cody's Butt rub :
1Cup Dark Brown sugar
1/2 Cup Fresh ground Black Coffee (STARBUCKS)
2 1/2 TBS Black pepper 
2TBS Garlic Powder
2TBS Onion Powder
Kosher Salt to taste .




 in non reactive bowl (Pyrex glass or Stainless) mix Rice, Figs ,Garlic, Sugar and spices.

Butterfly Pork Loin making sure not to cut through to other side .Lay it flat .Spread rice mixture evenly.
roll Loin and tie with butchers twine (think Hostess Ho-Ho)
At this time I break out my Butt rub and sprinkle liberally . 
Either cross weave bacon or just drape over Loin roll.
Heat Smoker to 230* 
Smoke until internal temp hit's 160*
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Cody
Grand Mound,WA 98579
Plantmaps Zone 7~A, Sunset Zone 4 and USDA Zone 8~A.

WISH LIST: San Pedro ,Breba & Early crop Figs and ANY figs from 'Belleclare Nursery'
mastrclndr

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Posted Reply with quote  #12 
Mint is used as a rodent deterrent . . here's a link that extolls several plant deterrents:
http://www.ehow.com/list_7278896_rodent-repellent-plants.html

Remember . . . mint is fairly invasive . . . and sprreads through rooting tendrills over and under barriers . . but is relatively easy to clean up
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Jeff
Valencia, Ca. Zones 8b - 10b depending if you're in the flats or up a cyn
VdB, Marseilles vs Blk, Blk Sicilian, Red Sicilian, Blk Madeira, Blue Celeste, Flanders, Stella, Panache . . I need more room!
musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #13 

Thank you Cody!
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Tonycm

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Posted Reply with quote  #14 
Thanks all for the info. Looks like I'll be planting garlic, mint and lavender around the Fig trees. By planting all 3 that should definitely put up a shield to keep all those rodents out.



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mastrclndr

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Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Yeah well, . . don't forget to be vigilant in regards to Rats and Squirrels . .
They are prolific in the urban setting

Best of Luck
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Jeff
Valencia, Ca. Zones 8b - 10b depending if you're in the flats or up a cyn
VdB, Marseilles vs Blk, Blk Sicilian, Red Sicilian, Blk Madeira, Blue Celeste, Flanders, Stella, Panache . . I need more room!
musillid

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Posted Reply with quote  #16 

Veering a little off-topic here, but found this article that says marigolds deter root nematodes. I knew they helped with white fly, but here's another reason to grow them with figs: http://www.ehow.com/info_8559947_marigolds-grub-repellent.html
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Dale
non compost mentis in Zone 6a
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