I wonder about the usefulness of predators. The very existence of predators implies the existence of healthy prey populations. I don't want healthy prey populations in my garden. And I've got plenty of predators: red foxes pass through, several of the neighbors' cats make themselves at home, and black rat snakes, sharp-shinned and Cooper's hawks, two types of Buteo, and screech, barred and great horned owls have all either shown up or been heard. And there is no shortage of rodents. Jim McKenney Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, the garden with the big Mickey Mouse balloon with the "free eats" banner over it.