O squirrel!

[Ohiogal]

I figured we have a deer thread, so lets pick on squirrels.
Living in the city, surrounded by squirrels, which I can't shoot, and which the neighbors feed and hand tame, what are my best solutions for keeping them out of the bird feeder and out of the potted plants? They dig like crazy, leave holes and throw the mulch around.
The bird feeder is on a long shepards hook, which I've tried all the usual things (baffles, greasing the pole, cats, shooing) other than buying one of those expensive types that shut closed or shock them. Even the cats have given up.
I'm on a low budget thing here. :p
Does human hair in a bag hung from the feeder have a chance in **** of working? Will that keep them away from at least the feeder?

[Cliff Timmons]

Blow gun?

[zebraman]

Hey OhioGal;I live in the Venice Canals and there are alot of Squirrels.The next door neighbor feeds them peanuts but there is so much natural food here that the Squirrels just bury them,mostly in my beds and pots.I cover all beds with Chicken wire and have recently purchased a "Wrist-Rocket" because It will be Fun to Shoot them and there are No Baby Seals in Venice.

[Ohiogal]

It will be Fun to Shoot them and there are No Baby Seals in Venice?

I think there's something wrong with you, Zebraman. :eek:

I can't possibly cover all my flowerbeds with wire, I have too many and they are already heavily mulched.

[zebraman]

Then You'll just have to pretend that theyr'e baby seals and Kill them.-

[dirtundernails]

Ohiogal, there is a plant in the stores, the "Natural Off Series" coleus canina "Sumcol 101", it has a plant tag stuck in that depicts several different animals that it's supposed to repel. There's a rabbit "Bunnies Gone!", cat" Scaredy Cat!", dog "Dog's Gone!". OK this looks stupid here, but that's what they say. Anyway - supposed to repel cats, dogs ,rabbits, groundhogs and raccoons. I would try it if I had your problem, which I don't as the neighbor boys shoot every squirrel they see and their momma cans it.

Zebraman, what do you shoot baby seals for? I hope this is another of your jokes.

dun

[zebraman]

Hey Dirtundernails;I said there weren't any Baby Seals to shoot,but if there were you could make fur Coats.I was just making the point that people generally don't care if you kill non cute animals,even PETA.

[Cliff Timmons]

I perfer shooting baby whales.

[finnteara]

FEED THEM! I have a large open bird feeder and have given up on prevention. I place a feed of corn and other goodies just below and easier to get to than the bird food.

[Bellepepper]

We don't have a problem with squirrels or rabbits. The cats take care of them. Do have a problem with opposums and coons. They come in the kitty door in the shop and eat the cat food. Then the cats are hungry and have to kill a rabbit or squirrel.

[redbrick]

Ohiogal, considering the fact that your neighbors are hand taming the squirrels, I don't think that a bag of human hair is gonna do much for you. That trick works on the "human stink" principal, and it sounds like your squirrels just couldn't care less if something smells like their chuckwagon.

I'd suggest a pump pellet gun. They're really quiet and you can pick your damage level. Iff you give the gun three pumps and aim for the hindquarters, you'll sting the squirrel enough to get it movin'. If you're really sick of it, you'll need to get more drastic. Ten pumps, hunting point pellets, and aiming for the ribcage or eye is about as humane a method as you can get for squirrel stress relief, if ya get what I'm sayin'.

[zebraman]

Hey Cliff;Your'e in Luck.We have alot of baby whales in Santa Monica Bay.Which also proves that Whales are Really Stupid.Santa Monica Bay is really polluted.Dolphins swim here too,as do surfers.So basicly Dolphins and Whales are as intelligent as Surfers.-

[sweetpea]

I used a BB pistol for awhile, but they soon learned that as soon as the door closed that they were safe. They'd run as soon as the door opened and come right back as soon as I went back inside. Now I have a squirrell-killing dog who likes to hang out around the bird feeder, and I haven't seen a squirrel on it this year. The only ones I've seen are the dead ones she bring to me as (yuck) presents! She's a quick one!

[Ohiogal]

You people crack me up. :)
We don't have whales or dolphins here, unless you consider the objects that fly out of the local Air Force Base as one. I'd hardly want to shoot at one of them - probably would get a life sentence for "terrorism" if I did so.
I sure don't want a dog - don't have time for one and don't want the yard mess and the barking.
That leaves me with buying that $$$ feeder. Maybe that's a good deal after all, considering how much I'd spend on a pellet gun and BB's for an afternoon's pleasure of lying in my ant infested mulch getting bit in order to have a shot at one. ;)

[bluelacedredhead]

There is a product in Canada called Critter Ridder. It's about 50% black pepper and a large portion of the balance is Capsaican (the "heat" in hot peppers).
Ask at your local garden centre or hardware store. Must be something similar in the U.S.?
The pepper won't hurt your bird friends. Some of my chickens actually like hot pepper.

[red1]

Use the squngee...lol at least you could get a laugh.
http://www.squngee.bigstep.com/

[Sandbar]

Plus, it'd make 'em a harder target to hit with all that bouncing around ...

[Eric]

They'd run as soon as the door opened and come right back as soon as I went back inside.

Thats why I just slowly open a window and shoot from inside. Although they are a bit skittish around my house now, too bad I can't watch for them 24/7 they still have plenty of time to dig. They uncovered some of my garlic today, didn't harm it tho.

[PigPenDirtGirl]

Those expensive feeders work well on deterring gray squirrels. I have the Yankee Flipper but there are newer versions that Droll Yankee makes that are weight activated and deter larger birds like grackles as well. Mine is rechargeable - just twist to remove the battery and perch ring in one piece, take inside an recharge. However, I am the only one who has not seen a squirrel get flipped off of it! It happens, everyone else gets to witness the flight of the squirrel, just not me. Another option is something that I borrowed from work called Operation Pokeyface. I use this method in my planters that the squirrels seem to think are there for them to germinate pecans. I use thin, flexible but stiff wire pieces about 6 to 12 inches long and put them around and amongst the plants so that they stick out and poke squirrels, cats (at work - deer and horses) and forgetful gardeners in the face, hands, whatever.

[oiseautete]

...
The bird feeder is on a long shepards hook, which I've tried all the usual things (baffles, greasing the pole, cats, shooing) other than buying one of those expensive types that shut closed or shock them. Even the cats have given up.
I'm on a low budget thing here. :p ...

If you know someone handy with tools, have them make a baffle. My dad tried all the commercial ones, and resorted to making one out of plexiglass in a 4-sided pyramid shape. Even though we feed the squirrels corn and peanuts (though the crows hog the peanuts), they still hop over to the feeder and contemplate the baffle (hilarious to see them eye it and then go away). The only time they've succeeded against my dad's baffle is when we had a six foot snow drift under the feeder and they just walked up. Just make sure that the bottom of the baffle is wider than a squirrel can reach and that it's height is as well, otherwise they can grab on and hang and reach up. When a piece broke off of the baffle and created a small ledge, they did just this, but were unable to latch onto anything because it is so tall.

Our birdfeeder is standing, so the baffle is under, but maybe you could figure out how to invert a handmade baffle so it would work.

There is also a birdfeeder that senses the weight of the thing trying to get seed, and if it is squirrel-heavy, it will fling so that the squirrel flies off.

[oiseautete]

...
I'd suggest a pump pellet gun. ...

Just so you know, all types of guns are illegal in residential areas. This includes pellet, air, bb. Not many know this and some ignore, but it is illegal. Not to mention that squirrels are a protected species, and killing or wounding them without a license is also illegal.

[winter_unfazed]

Around here we have squirrels; some people shoot them but I don't know if it's legal or not. The conservation book doesn't list a "squirrel season" as far as I know.

[052039]

HI- moth balls work good & not too expensive....watch them shake their heads when they get a whiff - it's a HOOT..........

052039 - BILL:D

[LarryS]

Just so you know, all types of guns are illegal in residential areas. This includes pellet, air, bb. Not many know this and some ignore, but it is illegal. Not to mention that squirrels are a protected species, and killing or wounding them without a license is also illegal.


Dont know where you live, but that is NOT true here. Squirrels are not protected, discharge of firearms within the city limits is technically illegal, but pellet guns, air rifles, bb guns, bow/arrow are NOT firearms.

A license is not required here to hunt squirrels, neither is it a crime to poison
rodents.

[zebraman]

Hey Guys;Oiseautete sounds like a PETA nut.Which by the way are Not organic.-

[Big Daddy]

Around here we have squirrels; some people shoot them but I don't know if it's legal or not. The conservation book doesn't list a "squirrel season" as far as I know.

We have a season here, it begins in August and runs through most of the fall and winter, with the exceptions of big game seasons. No small game can be hunted during deer season.

You have to have a regular hunting liscience unless you're a land owner hunting on your own land.

It's likely different every where, but most places make exceptions for controlling nuisance animals.

[Eric]

Just so you know, all types of guns are illegal in residential areas. This includes pellet, air, bb. Not many know this and some ignore, but it is illegal. Not to mention that squirrels are a protected species, and killing or wounding them without a license is also illegal.


Just so you know, this is governed mostly by state laws and as such are likely to be 50 different variations, additionally air powered weapons are not likely to be as limited and controlled as firearms which is what you may be thinking of.

And just so you know all game animals are also governed by individual states and more specifically the game commision. In my particular state there is an exclusion for just about any animal that is damaging agriculture or property. Both of the latter squirrels excell at, so they are easily removed. Course trapping and relocating is the better alternative.

[Big Daddy]

Course trapping and relocating is the better alternative.

Unless you're the property owner that the refugees are relocated to!:D

[winter_unfazed]

Oiseautete, What exactly is a residential area? Where I live is on a defunct ranch were some trailers and houses were put up. Does that qualify as a residential area?

[oiseautete]

Oiseautete, What exactly is a residential area? Where I live is on a defunct ranch were some trailers and houses were put up. Does that qualify as a residential area?

Suppose I should have been more specific. Residential area as in subdivision -- rural or otherwise, or if you have neighbors within 60 yards of your property. Also, these laws are in Illinois, and I spent a few hours on the phone with both the local sherriff's office AND the state department of natural resources clarifying exactly what was and was not legal....

As for the other post about guns, no, I do mean air-powered inclusive, per the county sherriff, which is why I mentioned bb, pellet, etc. in the first place, because I doubt one would normally categorize them as 'guns.' :(

[Teek]

Just so you know, all types of guns are illegal in residential areas. This includes pellet, air, bb. Not many know this and some ignore, but it is illegal. Not to mention that squirrels are a protected species, and killing or wounding them without a license is also illegal.

WHAT?
Are you seriously saying that? "All types of guns are illegal in residential areas"? You're just plain wrong. Go read last year's Heller decision from the US Supreme Court, or better yet, the 2nd amendment to the US Constitution.

If you're talking about SHOOTING the guns in a residential area, the laws are much more complex than you make them sound, "squirrels are a protected species" -protected by what? There is open season with no limit on squirrels in many states, and hunting on your own property is often allowed, especially when it prevents destruction of agriculture. Bottom line, the laws are different in different jurisdictions, you have to check.

I don't mean to be rude but you just plain don't know what you're talking about.

[Siegmund Family Farm]

Squirrel stew is very tasty:)

[mmmtomatoes]

My squirrel ate my elephant garlic I had planted in a planted out side. I still love him/her because they are so darn cute! But when they start to get in my garden I might have to do something!

[mmmtomatoes]

WHAT?
Are you seriously saying that? "All types of guns are illegal in residential areas"? You're just plain wrong. Go read last year's Heller decision from the US Supreme Court, or better yet, the 2nd amendment to the US Constitution.

If you're talking about SHOOTING the guns in a residential area, the laws are much more complex than you make them sound, "squirrels are a protected species" -protected by what? There is open season with no limit on squirrels in many states, and hunting on your own property is often allowed, especially when it prevents destruction of agriculture. Bottom line, the laws are different in different jurisdictions, you have to check.

I don't mean to be rude but you just plain don't know what you're talking about.

:D

[MICoastieMom]

Have come to the realization that squirrels are the likely suspect in why my saffron crocus did not come up this year, except for one plant that the little buggers evidently missed. I have two cats and two dogs. That has not deterred them. I do not have the time to "hunt." I have heard about the trick with the moth balls before, but as they dissolve don't those chemicals leach into the soil? Doesn't that defeat the point of organic gardening? I am going to try covering the bed with mesh as a deterrent. Has anyone had success with a eco-friendly method of deterring them from the garden?

[Gardenizit]

Well, I don't know if this is an absolute total seasonal answer, but so far, so good.

I have my entire surround-fence coated in cheap dollar store Panty Hose. At a buck a hose, I kept inexpensive with it. As a dude, I had to get a female to buy them for me though. :cool:

[MICoastieMom]

Okay, I'll bite: how does pantyhose deter squirrels?

[Gardenizit]

I have no scientific basis for it, but the static from the fabric works on birds for me (and said to be beneficial for the tomato plant to draw upward to it) - so I thought I would try it heavy along my garden fence. I'll let you know if I see any squirrels passing "GO" and collecting tomatoes beyond the static fence.

I have tons of squirrels around!

[RozieDozie]

My squirrel solution? I'm paying my grandson to stay in the yard from early morning until late afternoon and shoot the doggone things with a b b gun. I've HAD it. I told him I'd pay him $10.00 for every defunct squirrel.

So far, the squirrels have nothing to worry about because he isn't a good aimer (yet), but just having someone in the yard helps to scare them away. This weekend we are putting up shade cloth and that will deter them some. They don't like to jump onto that; it scares them.

Next, I'm stringing up an electric wire on the fence where the varmits have their little path. I'm happily envisioning a squirrel with his tail straight up unable to let go of the wire, being zapped....

I'm normally a very peaceful person, but the squirrels this year are horrible! They've already started eating my green tomatoes (they usually wait for the ripe ones) and they ruined my carrot and beet bed in spite of the woven plastic covering... GRRRRRR!!!

This is WAR!!!! :mad::mad::D

[mmmtomatoes]

They running barb wire on your fence. I seen in previous post, Rozie, that you have a privacy fence. I plan on doing that. I bet they wouldn't touch it:)