North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>]

> I find that Cardinals are among the worst pests we have. Not only do 
> they steal our blueberries, figs, tomatoes and even bell peppers are 
> not safe.


They really like my grapes - even green ones - but robins and blue jays 
are a bigger problem for most of my fruit. And I've never had them 
bother my tomatoes or peppers, even when I didn't have fruit. Kind of 
funny how different animals behave in different areas, isn't it?

But when I net my grapes, they still sneak inside, occasionally. And 
then they'll get caught in the netting. I put a leather glove on my left 
hand to hold them, while I try to cut the net away with a scissors. But 
if I don't take care, the cardinal will grab the scissors in its 
powerful beak - and just hang on. They can really hold on tight! I don't 
imagine that it would feel very good if they grabbed onto skin...

It's a little harder holding them when I'm wearing a leather glove, but 
they can't bite through it, so I'd say that it's worth it.

:-)

Bill
Lincoln, NE (zone 5)

--
I'm such a good lover because I practice a lot on my own. - Woody Allen