Squirrels, destructive little...........

[Kixwy2]

I'll lend you my dogs.



Those guys are THE ULTIMATE ENEMY on walks... nearly rip my fool arm off when they catch sight of one.

All that area to run in, squirrels to chase - that's a win-win!

[Shadow Catcher]

I can understand not wanting to cut the trees, they are part of the ambiance and the air-conditioning. You can if there is sufficient gap collar trees so that the furry rats can not climb the trunks and use a collar on the electrical lines (cone shaped as you see used to prevent rats from climbing lines to a ship). there should be a fire break with an area fire and squirrels can not jump some place in the surrounding forest.
Any repellent is at best temporary and long term you either have to prevent them from being able to get to the house or armor the house so they can not chew. Have you talked with animal control or farm bureau for suggestions in how to control them?

[davidrn]

I almost finished this past fall completing the damage squirrels did to my place. I noticed a few years ago that the gutters were hanging a little on the back of my house. So, up a 28' ladder and I found holes underneath and behind the gutters into the attic. It took some time to chase out the tree rats from the attic, (I used a 20' paint pole), then removed the old gutters, and covered up the holes with Oak. Over the next 2 seasons we cut down all the Pines within our yard,(half acre) kept the Oaks and Maples. We live across the street from a city park, so there are lots of places for them to live there. During the tree cutting times, I took up hunting. I bought a one pump air rifle, and have found they don't come in the yard like they used to. I do see them occasionally, but they high tail it out when I leave the house. I believe the danger is passed down genetically to the next generation. So, a few years of killing everyone you can get in your yard, and it will take care of the problem. I did try professionals, Hav a Hart traps, and poisons, nothing worked. I think they know you are mad at them, and will taunt you from the roof. what an evil clan they are.

[mandy]

After reading this thread, a news story aired tonight. A portion of the segment talked about this article.http://blogs.abcnews.com/nightlinedailyline/2010/03/prince-charles-call-to-arms-squirrel-for-supper.html

What this blog version does not show is the video of people actually cookin up a storm with squirrels, and a even being served in a restaurant. I wish I could find the whole segment to share here. I thought it was funny stuff.

I saw the same thing last night. I was going to find it as post it here but you beat me to it Cliff.

I found the link to the story.

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/war-rodents-10206775

[S. Heisley]

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words :




(I think I can; I think I don't want to! )

[Bigwoods]

Oh grate, (for the old timers again) I have problems with roof rats and about 2000 pine trees. I better sharpen the saw. I have to try all the things that were suggested.

[dakotamouse]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5-d3rZZ-_M&feature=fvw

Here's a few possible ideas.........

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Mary,
The last couple of those subjects looked like repeat offenders.
Only on YouTube...

[dakotamouse]

Either they ain't too bright................or they've decided it's the newest squirrel amusement park!

I thought it was funny but who am I kidding. I couldn't do it. What if the little bugger smacked up against a tree and kinda twitched to death? Now don't get me wrong. I do believe I could eat a squirrel but I'd want to put him down quick first.

[Mark & Andrea Jones]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5-d3rZZ-_M&feature=fvw

Here's a few possible ideas.........

I liked this comment! "Squirrels are like big rats they are NATURES SPEED BUMPS" They really can do substantial damage to insulation and wiring. We had a rental house that they were getting in a hole that was about 2 inches in diameter and they chewed thru the wire that fed the electric stove. Too bad it wasn't on while they were chewing . . . . . Could have taken care of the rodent problem!

Yep, I think some of those were repeat offenders. . . . . Only problem I see is that you are also launching the BAIT into the woods and giving all the other squirrels a free meal.

We used to have a squirrel problem at our house too - until we buried the electric lines and got a dog who loves to chase them. They're not a problem anymore.

Now, if anyone's got an idea on getting rid of pesky rabbits so my arm doesn't get yanked out of the socket on walks every day, that would be awesome!

AJ

[Miriam C.]

Either they ain't too bright................or they've decided it's the newest squirrel amusement park!

I thought it was funny but who am I kidding. I couldn't do it. What if the little bugger smacked up against a tree and kinda twitched to death? Now don't get me wrong. I do believe I could eat a squirrel but I'd want to put him down quick first.

You should never play with food and folks in the South squirrel is food, seriously!

[southpennrailroad]

Let me tell you how smart they are. I put peanut butter mixed with poison in a bowl and placed it at the point of entrance on the roof and they dragged the dish into their den in the roof. They ate it then pushed it back out. However they died from dehydration and the roof was free of them but pushing the dish back out was kind of strange.

[RonS]

Let me tell you how smart they are. I put peanut butter mixed with poison in a bowl and placed it at the point of entrance on the roof and they dragged the dish into their den in the roof. They ate it then pushed it back out. However they died from dehydration and the roof was free of them but pushing the dish back out was kind of strange.

Maybe they were asking for seconds?

[dakotamouse]

Let me tell you how smart they are. I put peanut butter mixed with poison in a bowl and placed it at the point of entrance on the roof and they dragged the dish into their den in the roof. They ate it then pushed it back out. However they died from dehydration and the roof was free of them but pushing the dish back out was kind of strange.

I don't think I could poison them...........yeah, I'm wimpy. I want them to go quick.

[dakotamouse]

Either they ain't too bright................or they've decided it's the newest squirrel amusement park!

I thought it was funny but who am I kidding. I couldn't do it. What if the little bugger smacked up against a tree and kinda twitched to death? Now don't get me wrong. I do believe I could eat a squirrel but I'd want to put him down quick first.

You should never play with food and folks in the South squirrel is food, seriously!

Honest! I could cook up squirrel. I even did a bit of research on the internet about hunting them. Seems they can be smart prey. In North Dakota there is a hunting season for them but for rabbits hunting is open all year round. I don't quite understand that?