In the past, I have had lots of trouble with melons (mostly canteloupes) getting destroyed or at least nibbled by pests. I regularly put traps out, and have carted off many possums and raccoons. But I still had issues. This year, I decided on a new strategy. I would cover each large melon with a bucket (with a brick on top to secure) so pests couldn't see or smell them, and I didn't put out traps. Bingo! I went out this morning to find three softball-sized honeydews destroyed. All were uncovered. The covered melons, all of which are much larger and riper were completely untouched. Oh, that also answers the question I posed a few weeks ago. Ripe honeydews don't have a strong smell as do ripe canteloupes, so maybe they'd not be bothered by pests? Wrong wrong wrong. Pests love even unripe honeydews. Interestingly, one gallon buckets are too small for honeydews. They get big!