# rabbits are destroying my farm Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpENQGIBeNc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/dpENQGIBeNc Generated: 2025-12-06T17:19:38.404+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The main problem destroying the farm's sunflowers and strawberries is predation by rabbits and squirrels, which are eating the plants, prompting the farmer to use a tractor to clear brush and create protective barriers for the crops, while also dealing with the unexpected discovery of radioactive tritium in old exit signs. **Key Points:** - Rabbits and squirrels are aggressively eating the sunflowers and strawberries, leading the farmer to decide they must kill the pests to save the crops. - The farmer uses a Ford 445D tractor with a disc harrow attachment to clear brush and till the soil, creating clear barriers to reduce pest habitat. - The squirrel problem is severe, with trail camera footage showing them actively consuming sunflower leaves and plants, even at night. - The farmer discovered old emergency exit signs containing radioactive tritium gas, which is illegal to sell and requires special disposal, highlighting another unexpected farm challenge. - The group visited a Habitat for Humanity ReStore to look for materials, purchasing items like electrical relays and inexpensive mechanical keyboard keycaps. - The cost of electricity for the solar array experiment was high, totaling $400 for one month, with the total cost of the experiment potentially reaching $1,300 to $1,400 per year. - The farmer's toddler was introduced to the farm and the family enjoyed a Costco combo pizza, noting the combo is still a great deal despite a slight price increase to $1.90 + tax. ![Screenshot at 16:16: The farmer \(William\) points out the scale of the problem to Kevin, showing a large patch of green weeds heavily overgrowing the strawberry plants, emphasizing that the weeds must be cleared to allow the strawberries to get enough sun.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dpENQGIBeNc/00-16-16.png) **Context:** The video documents the progress of a self-proclaimed 'Backyard Scientist,' William, and his partner, Kevin Coler, as they attempt to start a farm on a new plot of land. The initial challenge revolves around protecting their young crops, specifically sunflowers and strawberries, from various local wildlife, primarily rabbits and squirrels. The narrative spans several 'days' of work, showing the use of heavy machinery to clear land and the deployment of trail cameras to identify the pests, culminating in a realization that the problem is extensive. ## Detailed Analysis The video documents the challenges faced by William and Kevin while trying to establish a farm, specifically focusing on pest control and unexpected discoveries. On Day 1, the field was covered in thick, green cover crop/weeds that were outgrowing the strawberries, which received little sunlight. By Day 3, the farmer, William, armed with a straw hat and orange gloves, used a yellow Ford 445D tractor with a Frontier disc harrow to clear a large swath of brush and till the soil, hoping to eliminate pest habitats. Trail camera footage confirmed severe damage from rabbits eating the sunflowers at night and squirrels destroying plants during the day. A significant secondary issue arose when the duo visited a Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Shop #1) to scavenge for parts, discovering old emergency exit signs containing radioactive tritium gas, which required careful handling and disposal. They also purchased cheap mechanical keyboard keycaps and electrical relays while there. The solar power experiment proved expensive, costing $400 for one month, with an estimated annual cost of $1,300–$1,400 to generate 1,500 kWh, leading William to suggest that cheap Amazon keyboards are a better investment than expensive custom ones. On Day 4, they reviewed footage showing the squirrels' activity and discussed the rabbit problem, noting the rabbits ate the sunflowers at night. On Day 5, the focus shifted to clearing the brush piles to remove squirrel hiding spots. The video concludes with the family enjoying Costco food, where William notes the $1.50 combo pizza is still a good deal despite being slightly more expensive than before, and they discuss the ongoing battle to keep the field clear for the sunflowers to outcompete the weeds. ### Farm Setup & Pest Control (Days 1-3) - Initial field covered in weeds choking out strawberries - William used a Ford 445D tractor and disc harrow to clear brush and till soil - Trail cams confirmed rabbits and squirrels were eating the sunflowers, especially at night. ### Scavenging for Materials (Shop #1) - Visited Habitat for Humanity ReStore to find parts - Acquired electrical relays and mechanical keyboard keycaps - Discovered illegal radioactive tritium exit signs that glowed using tritium vials. ### Solar Power Cost Analysis (Day 3) - The solar setup cost $400 for one month of power ($1,300–$1,400 annually) to generate 1,500 kWh, deemed inefficient compared to buying cheap Amazon keyboards. ### Pest Management Update (Day 4) - Reviewed footage showing squirrels destroying sunflowers and rabbits eating them at night - The clearing of brush piles was necessary to remove hiding spots. ### Costco Food Run (Day 3) - Enjoyed Costco food, noting the combo pizza is still a good deal at $1.50 + tax, despite slight price increases. ### Ongoing Farm Work (Day 5) - William, wearing a 'Street Cats' shirt, examined a keycap prototype and discussed the ongoing need to clear weeds from the sunflower patch to prevent them from being choked out. ![Screenshot at 00:03: William standing in front of the yellow tractor, setting the scene for his farm project.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dpENQGIBeNc/00-00-03.png) ![Screenshot at 00:17: William stating his goal is to kill all the squirrels and rabbits destroying his crops.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dpENQGIBeNc/00-00-17.png) ![Screenshot at 01:54: Trail camera footage capturing a coyote in the sunflower field at night, indicating a larger predator issue.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dpENQGIBeNc/00-01-54.png) ![Screenshot at 07:03: Kevin holding up a radioactive tritium exit sign found at the ReStore, showing the caution label.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dpENQGIBeNc/00-07-03.png) ![Screenshot at 11:42: William driving the tractor with the disc harrow, actively clearing brush and tilling the field.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/dpENQGIBeNc/00-11-42.png)