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*A scroll is posted just outside the perimeter of the pumpkin patch, "The worm infestation has gotten much worse and seem to be popping up attacking anyone that comes through for a visit. We are thinking of roping off the area until we can find a proper solution. If anyone has any suggestions please tack your notice below and be on guard if you absolutely must visit your pumpkins."*

Salt.
Worms hate salt.

So do plants.

As much as I wouldn't want to risk killing the pumpkins... We very well might have to salt the ground to get rid of the worms for everyone's safety.

It might merit a message to Jeffrey to see if he could procure enough salt for our task. Perhaps instead of story time in the coming turns...

Is there really no other way? This isn't just a pumpkin patch, but a Memorial Garden also.

The scent of some herbs and flowers, if strong enough, can dissuade garden pests from approaching or act as an irresistible attraction.
Perhaps we could investigate the many varieties of growth in the lands – blossoms from the greenhouse, the herbs we collect and take to Caritas, Mirandines and En’sate and others which come to the mind of anyone else?
If any are found useful, cultivating them near the pumpkins might repel pests. Or growing them some distance away might distract such pests if they find the aroma of what is growing more alluring than that of fruiting pumpkins.

Wonderful thinking, Pallas!

I also recall hearing that slugs like beer, I wonder if perhaps Helminth are the same way inclined?

When unwanted pests and parasites sprang up in our fields at home, we would introduce beneficial insects that would consume them.

With how capable these helminths are at causing harm, see Bandit Guard and the removal of ABV support from protecting the garden, we may need to entice the frog that took a liking to Miss Bo Bonnie.

Ultimately, salting may be the solution, but closing the garden to others - even those with pumpkins - is probably the correct course of action.

-A Humble Farmer

P.S. If these parasites came from the seagulls, moose, or zombie crows, perhaps we will find them present in those respective habitats and could find solutions from those areas. Namely, the farm west of Milltown and the Lighthouse along the southern shoreline, or where the moose hail from.

What about mint? Many insects and other pests don't like it (although I do).


Topaz

I have heard tell during my travels that a barrier of sorts around patches can prove to be of some use. However, with the Helminths being tunnellers I am unsure as to how effective this will be. We could try a ring of coarse sand mixed with hard pieces of say, carapace or some such shells (even sea shells would do the trick) around the patch. It wouldn't hurt none and, worse case scenario is that it would not prove effective but it would also not harm the pumpkins in anyway.

After some heavy consideration, aside from the salt which will be a last resort we've decided to give the ideas mentioned a try. If anyone has any free time, by all means go ahead and start on your effort and just let us know. We've also decided to try and take down the Scarecrows and placing them aside in hopes of returning the zombie crows to clear out the works.

Report of Investigation:

Milltown Farm: No sign of helminth, plenty of zombie crows. Perhaps they are not the source of the infestation.

Lighthouse: No sign of helminth, plenty of seagulls (and salt). Perhaps they are not the source of the infestation.

Cannot investigate region where the moose may hail from and elicit the help of any other capable of investigating this area.

-Alf

This turn, not four marcs ago, an infestation of crows attacked the patch. They were swiftly dispatched. No helminths were present at this time.
D.K

Thank you, would seem taking down the scarecrow brought them back. Gives everyone a chance to collect the feathers that might've missed getting some.

Dabria wrote:This turn, not four marcs ago, an infestation of crows attacked the patch. They were swiftly dispatched. No helminths were present at this time.
D.K