Ziggy Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 To the risk of being slaughtered by public disagreement... there is something I've been wondering about... I have, over time, not just here but in other places, read a lot of stuff, where people get extremely aggravated with 'pests'... it covers rats, squirrels, rabbits, and so on, and lately pigeons... As a hopeless Hippie, with other sides to my personality too, I fail to understand the arguments brought on... the main argument I come across for destroying those 'pests' is 'they interfere with what I want'.... This was brought on to me very strongly recently when I considered getting an allotment... there is this absolutely gorgeous place nearby, with those amazing allotments, and I have (totally failing) trying to grow stuff for myself and family in my garden, and thought (probably wrongly, but I'm stubborn and would try my best) if I had a dedicated space, and planned well... maybe an allotment would allow me to focus on things better and I'd love to maintain one... garden has issues that the allotment wouldn't have... But then I got on the allotment site... and it was lovely... lots of community feeling, lots of help, lots of common tools and water and what not... till I got to this.... The allotment is located right next to a middle size nature reserve... it is a very amazing place... I walk my dog there, and there are rabbits, deers, and amazing peace and quiet... but the allotment site says 'rabbits from the neighbouring nature reserve are a pest and the council should come in and exterminate them'... and 'local dears are a pain and should be discouraged'... I can't help but thinking 'Excuse me?????... wouldn't the 'pests' say that the biggest pest to ever strike the earth was mankind??' I now don't want to join the allotment, cause I feel I'd be hated to oppose the rabbit extermination thing... I can't help but think... rabbits, deers, mice, rats, badgers, foxes, dears... all those creatures... and us... weren't we given the earth to share? not for one specie to overtake everthing, create the worst 'pest' pollution, cities, roads, and then claim a right to destroy whatever other specie still exist? I'm really bothered by this 'pest' attitude... if life on earth was measured as to damage, wouldn't humans be the biggest pest and would need to stop playing god? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 While I agree with some of your thoughts, I will always protect my home and my family from disease and damage caused by creatures, furry, feathered or otherwise. Destroying wildlife when other methods have failed to repel them is not a thing I would take pleasure in. However, in common with many animals, I will always put the needs of my family first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 That's quite a balanced answer you've given, to be honest... I understand the 'not taking pleasure in, but would put need first'... my feelings are more about whether we push our 'needs' too far... i'd take action against ants invading my kitchen cupboards... but rabbits in a wild warren being killed for the sake of my veg plot when i can get veg somewhere else makes me think i have a choice... the rabbits don't... they can't exactly go to tesco, can they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Hmmmm, I think I agree with you Ziggy. We ARE by FAR the biggest "pest" that has ever inhabited this planet, if it weren't for us Mother Nature would arrange things as she saw fit and the fittest and most adaptable would survive. That, however, is how we came to be here, in the position we are now in and unfortunately there are a lot of things we now consider "pests" which are really just animals or plants being in a place in which we don't want thm. I'd go ahead with your allotment. Deer are only to be "discouraged" and I think that is fair enough - imagine getting to harvest only to find out they've been in and eaten everything you have sweated and toiled over. A high fence and good gates should solve that and, if there's a reserve next door, then they have plenty of other space to forage. As for rabbits, I am totally opposed on the one hand to culling creatures for our "convenience". BUT. Once again, if you are planting rows of lettuce and cabbages then you really DON'T want rabbits otherwise you might as well not bother. I've never had to explore humane rabbit deterrents, but if there are any and you're on the allotment committee or community, then at least you are there to promote it. Think of it another way, you wouldn't leave your chickens out all day and night free ranging and leave them to take their chances with the fox, you lock them away to protect them. Same with the allottment and deer. Hope you get a "lotty" I've been on a list for over two years - nothing BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 difficult one, I used to love watching fox cubs playing on my lawn until I got chickens, now I do everything I can to discourage them. A good fence at the border of the wild life reserve should deal with deer but rabbits are a whole differnet matter Good luck with you lotty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Ziggy, I am with you on this big time. I am also a hippy & animal lover. I don't like frogs, but would never ever do anything to harm them. I like to see the birds, wild rabbits etc going about their daily business. What gives anyone the right to destroy the so called pests? Mankind is in many ways evil. Those that set traps, shoot pigeons & deer want their heads seeing to. These animals are only pests to these people, because they let them be. They need to get a life & see natures peace & beauty! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
