Water bowls

I used to have all sorts of difficulties with the critters mostly rabbits and the ground squirrels chewing into the narrow irrigation lines to the trees. This would end up defeating the emitter at the end of the line and cause water to spray all around and not drip where I wanted it, and let all the water out so that the drippers at the far end had no water at all.

I guess I could have gone and bought a pellet gun and tried to shoot rabbits and ground squirrels. Many people would. The pesticide companies would sell you squirrel bait.

But here’s another way. Maybe a way of working with the environment as opposed to trying to break its will to mine. I took the idea of someone else, so it is not my idea and I wish I could give credit but I’ve lost that information.

I put bowls under some of the emitters which then fill up with water, dribble into the ground and act just as well as the dripper alone.  And the critters have a water bowl so they don’t have to chew into the lines.

In 4 months they have chewed into only one line. One that did not have a bowl but which now does. I have actually seen the birds, and animals come and drink out of the bowls. Problem solved. And the Bobcat, coyote, big big gopher snakes all still have poison free, free range rabbits and ground squirrels to eat. And speaking of food! Happy Thanksgiving to all!