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What’s eating new shoots?

Posted: December 15th, 2020, 5:07 pm
by Oliver Syd
Hello,

So I have a visitor of the night who’s partial to some fresh liquid amber shoots! Trees been stripped of all new growth which is frustrating to say the least. Repeat offending will only stunt the plant I’m sure!
I’m assuming my uninvited guest is either of the possum variety, a rodent, or a distressingly large caterpillar! I hope for the sake of my wife’s sanity, and heart, it’s not the latter, not the biggest insect fan haha.
I’ve searched for similar threads but have come up empty handed, and wondering if anyone has experience using these electric possum deterrents. Good reviews on Kogan on one item, with lots of people giving it the thumbs up.

https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/pestill-possum-repeller/

No idea how to insert a link with Tapatalk...

Could possibly be another nocturnal creature so any thoughts would be great!

Thanks
Ol

Re: What’s eating new shoots?

Posted: December 15th, 2020, 5:23 pm
by Stu
If your visitor is a caterpillar, you should be able to find it in a folded leaf or leaf underside and deal with it. If not it is probably a possum, particularly if the damage is overnight. Try moving the tree or spray with repellant.

Re: What’s eating new shoots?

Posted: December 29th, 2020, 5:44 pm
by Oliver Syd
So.... it’s not possums.... it’s them bloody cockatoos!!! Just caught them red handed face deep in my trident maple!
Think I’m gonna have to go full blown bird netting cage....
Any other ideas??
Cheers!