Bark being stripped from plants ADVICE needed please

[WilliamPatrick]

Went out and saw some of the ladies have had vertically bark strips removed. From what I have read this is either rabbits or rats. I have surrounded the plants with cayenne pepper, cut up a freshly soaked sweaty shirt and used that to cover the stalk where the stripping took place. I have added cayenne to my neem oil and will soak them after the sun is off them.

The bark was taken in long strips but I can't see anywhere its been stripped all the way around, only half way in the worst areas. Has anyone had this happen? If so is there anyone else I can do. Fencing is not an option. Also are the girls screwed or can they be nursed thru? They are all still at least 3 weeks out...my heart is breaking.

 

[lr2jd]

They can be nursed through this, but make sure this never happens. Never cover up a stalk, especially with wet stuff. You'll get mold on the open wounds. Just let those wounds dry and they'll fix it themselves.

If you don't like fencing: use little wooden sticks to make a makeshift 'fence' by placing them upright in a random order in a circle around your plants. This way the rabbits will have a hard time passing through. Like the medieval stake-defences against horses, see image for the idea