Animals that eat cantaloupe can be quite a nuisance for gardeners and Farmer likewise . As someone who has had their fair share of encounters with Cucumis melo cantalupensis - love critters , I can sure as shooting sympathise with the defeat and disappointment that amount with incur your treasure fruits devour overnight . In my experience , there are several mutual culprit when it comes to cantaloupe theft .

1 . Opossums : These nocturnal creatures are infamous for their partiality of fruits , including cantaloupes . With their nimble manus and sharp teeth , opossums can easily banquet on your mature melons , go away behind a deal of half - eaten fruit . I remember waking up one morning to find a household of opossums happily crunch on my cantaloupes , their beady middle muse the moonlight .

2 . Marmota monax : These burrowing fauna may seem harmless , but they have a voracious appetite for a variety of craw , including cantaloupes . Groundhogs can make straightaway work of your melon , often leaving behind revealing preindication such as half - eaten rinds and dot seeds . I once had a particularly dogged groundhog who seemed to have a personal blood feud against my cantaloupes , repeatedly nobble into my garden despite my estimable endeavor to deter it .

3 . Raccoons : recognise for their sleight and intelligence , racoon are skilled at breaking into gardens and raiding yield trees . cantaloup are no elision to their menu . I vividly remember a summertime dark when I watch a pair of raccoons red - handed , their masked faces smeared with cantaloupe vine juice as they avariciously gobbled up my harvest .

4 . Foxes : Though not as common as the other culprits , foxes have been known to take a liking to cantaloup vine , peculiarly in areas where they coexist with human settlement . Their slender bodies and sharp teeth enable them to make quick work of melons , often leaving behind scattered remnants . I recall a neighbour once severalize me about a mischievous fox that regularly raided her garden , leave behind a track of half - use up Cucumis melo cantalupensis .

It ’s deserving noting that the specific animals that feed cantaloupe can vary look on your geographical location and the local wildlife universe . to boot , other creature such as squirrel , deer , and even birds may occasionally indulge in cantaloup if hold the opportunity .

To protect your cantaloupes from these athirst trespasser , there are several preventive step you could take :

– Fencing : instal a tough fencing around your garden can help deter larger animals like groundhog , raccoons , and deer . ensure the fence run underground to forbid burrowing .

– gauze : cover your cantaloup with netting can create a physical barrier that keeps smaller brute like squirrels and bird at bay .

– Motion - activated hindrance : Utilizing equipment that emit lights , sound , or water sprays when triggered by motion can galvanise and warn brute from approaching your garden .

– Natural repellents : Certain scents , such as predator urine or strong - smell out plants like marigolds , can help repel animals . However , these methods may not be foolproof and require even reapplication .

– harvest home early : If you acknowledge augury of animate being activity in your garden , it may be wise to reap your cantaloupes a flake sooner than usual to avoid losing them entirely . While this may give some ripeness , it see to it you ’ll still bask the fruit of your labor .

Animals that consume cantaloupe can range from possum and groundhogs to raccoon and foxes . Taking preventive measure such as fencing material , netting , and using apparent movement - activated check can aid protect your precious cantaloupes from being devoured by these thirsty critters . While it can be disheartening to see your firmly - earned harvest home disappear overnight , with perseverance and a bit of creativity , you’re able to outsmart these cantaloupe - loving thieves and enjoy the fruits of your labor .

Caroline Bates