Solar Powered Lights in the SFG?

jkdistad Fri May 21, 2010 2:42 pm

Hi all.... I was just discussing my SFG with my MIL and she said something about putting solar powered lights (you know, those little ones people put along their driveways or pathways/edges?) in the garden and wondering if that might deter some night time munchies on the part of the local wildlife? She put a couple of the lights next to her flowers and her tom (she doesn't have an SFG, though, just a few things in the ground next to her porch), and says they "seem to be working". Any thoughts about this.... is this a sound theory? I think the rabbits can still get under my fence, as one of my snap peas is no longer 8 inches tall, but rather 2 inches now... Solar Powered Lights in the SFG? Icon_tongue

LOL!

TIA!

Jennifer

milaneyjane Fri May 21, 2010 4:06 pm

Or would it just light the way for them to see what they are eating?

jkdistad Fri May 21, 2010 4:32 pm

Hahaha! yeah, could just be like a neon light on an all-you-can-eat salad bar! I also got to thinking about how light attracts bugs, like moths and such.... hmmmm.... I haven't tried it yet, like I said, my MIL suggested it and said she had a couple of the lights and might get some more... I think her premise is that the light might simulate the presence of a person.... Solar Powered Lights in the SFG? Icon_idea

I dunno.... Still wondering if anybody else has some actual experience with it.

Retired Member 1 Fri May 21, 2010 4:52 pm

What does work well is motion sensor lights. I'm not sure they are available solar powered, but we had a problem with coons getting into the henhouse at my last hermitage, and a motion sensor light deterred them pretty well.

boffer Fri May 21, 2010 5:07 pm

I'm going to order several motion activated sprinklers to protect my beds and chickens. I haven't found an inexpensive solar light that puts out sufficient light to be of much use.

Retired Member 1 Fri May 21, 2010 5:35 pm

Neat idea. Does it really make that sound? That would scare a bunch of critters away without the water. I wonder if it would protect my plum and peach trees from midnight mauruders of the two footed kind as well as the four footed?

Ha-v-v Fri May 21, 2010 6:57 pm

Boffer,
Motion activated sprinklers !!! Im going to share this with my neighbors, they have unfenced row gardens. I love human ingenuity.

Ha-v-v

shocks20 Fri May 21, 2010 7:15 pm

Not sure if it helps with critters, as my fence (and the dog) keeps them away, but I have solar lights at each corner of all of my boxes. It's hard to get a good picture of them with my camera. Most of the light is coming from the flood light on the house.

Solar Powered Lights in the SFG? Img_1911

Solar Powered Lights in the SFG? Img_1911

Here's one without the flood light:
Solar Powered Lights in the SFG? Img_1817

boffer Fri May 21, 2010 7:37 pm

belfrybat wrote:Neat idea. Does it really make that sound?

Yes, that is the sound that the sprinkler makes when the arm hits the stream of water. No water, no sound. Sad

Ha-v-v Fri May 21, 2010 7:55 pm

I love the lights !! I would like to have those in my garden so I can sit in there at night Smile

That's very nice
Ha-v-v

PB Fri May 21, 2010 9:41 pm

I have the solar lights in my garden. I haven't noticed any bugs flying around them. They don't put off a lot of light. More of a glow. I enjoy them so much. Like little fire flies in the SFG.

Kabaju42 Sat May 22, 2010 11:21 am

I would have to think that the motion activated stuff would deter better than the solar lights. Animals would get used to the solar lights being on all of the time and then ignore them, but something motion activated will only turn on when they get near and would startle and scare better.

On the other hand, I think the solar lights would look really nice and cool. I like shocks20's lights.

quiltbea Sat May 22, 2010 9:43 pm

I had the colored ones that change colors all the time and they were strung along my strawberry bed. Alas, they didn't stop the deer from nibbling on my tomato plants just ten feet away. I put up deodorant soap in net bags to stop the deer and it worked.

**mckr3441** Sat May 22, 2010 10:20 pm

Solar lights, motion-activated sprinklers and solar lights -- I love it! Boffer, that sprinkler system is a fantastic idea. That will go on my "get it" list if critters become more of a problem than they are now. Right now I'm ready to get the Have-a-heart trap out. I think we have a possum or could be a raccoon digging, digging, digging.

We have a solar motion activated light on our deck. I'm not sure if it scares anything away because every time it comes on I look to see "who's there" and all I see is a tail! So it's probably me that scares them not the light. My desk is right next to the deck door.

We have a couple of those little solar lights near the SFGs but just for atmosphere. Shocks I love your garden with the little lights. We may have to get more of those lights so we can do something like what you have done. It's really pretty.

Claire Solar Powered Lights in the SFG? Icon_flower

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