Andy writes: In the past, my cantalopes have been decimated by mice/birds who come along and start pecking/gnawing at the fruit as soon as it starts to ripen. They tend to eat holes in the sides to get at the seeds.
This year, I tried something different. As soon as the fruit got to about softball size, still green, I took a plastic Walmart bag and put it around the plant, loosely tying it so that it didn't stress the fruit.
It worked very well. No predators bothered the gruit. Every week or so I would peek inside the sack, and determine if it was time to pick. Also, I oriented the bag so that when it rained, the fruit wouldn't be sitting in water...
As a result, I got a full, intact, cantalope crop...
I posted this technique and received some advice from others who have tried it. One good suggestion was to use old panty hose instead of solid plastic, so that there wouldn't be any drainage problem. I'll try it next year.
I wanted to share this experience, since it's an easy thing to do if you have a rodent/bird problem.... and, believe me, sooner or later you will.
If any readers can add to this technique, I'd be pleased to read about it.
Andy in Eureka, Texas