Unwelcome visitor

A few weeks back I reported on the case in of the nibbled cucumber. I wondered if it might have been the fox given the height at which the cucumber had been eaten.

Since then the emerging cucumbers have all been eaten off at the stem as in the photo. And I noticed that the plants had been dragged down. I concluded that it was a mouse or a rat that was climbing up, so took measures!

The other day I went into the greenhouse and something (large) scurried behind the tomato plants. All my shouting, clapping and stamping did not encourage it to leave.

Five minutes later a neighbour said that they had at least one rat - they think living in their garden shed, despite their dog and cat spending lots of time in the garden. So they are taking measures too. Peppermint and camphor balls are also being placed to try and keep them away.

Some new fruits are emerging anew so fingers crossed they may survive.