James Waddick wrote: > Dear all; > I am sorry I even brought up 'tree rats' (squirrels) and glad I > didn't mention 'rats with hooves' (white tail deer) or 'flying rats' > (Canadian Geese) which are all garden pests in this area. > > Instead I got wondering as I was harvesting a few pounds of castor > bean seed. Can these be sprinkled around for voles and squirrels to > nibble on? They are too big for birds and I can't imagine any domestic > animals eating them. If they germinate (not likely here) they are > obvious and can be pulled out easily. > > Could I just chuck a few down a vole run? Or might cats eat castor > bean dying voles and also be harmed? any experience? > > Best Jim W. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I tried a half-dozen beans where tree rats gather; they nibbled but none fell over. I suspect the ricin content of raw beans is insufficient to harm anything, though I didn't chew on any myself... -jrf -- Jim Fisher Vienna, Virginia USA 38.9 N 77.2 W USDA Zone 7 Max. 105 F [40 C], Min. 5 F [-15 C]