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

[rebapuck]

Here's how smart they are.

I started trapping in a squirrel size cage. Opened on two ends and the bait was in the middle. After catching the first one, I watched all the others go in the door, reeeaaaacccch to the bait, leaving one foot outside to keep the trap door from catching when it fell. I moved up to the raccoon size trap.

On top of a metal pole, I had a "Squirrel-Proof" feeder. One of those that has a bar for birds, but the weight of a squirrel will close the feeder. My squirrels would climb the pole, reach around to fit the bar under their arm, which closed the feeder. With feet still on the pole, they pushed up, lifting the bar and opening the feeder.

I switched to hot pepper suet. Squirrels don't like it.

[dakotamouse]

We have a squirrel that likes to eat the sunflower seeds out of our bird feeder. We enjoy watching him but he was emptying the feeder really quick. So we thought we would compromise with him and made him his own feeder.

This is a squirrel munchbox. It has peanuts inside. It took him no time at all to figure out how to work it.



We had to take it down. Our neighbors asked us not to encourage him. Seems he had been wrecking havoc on their lawn furniture. He had even ripped off the fringe from the canopy on their swing.

Little bugger!!

[Pottercounty]

Shoot em'...then shoot them again & again. I've tried everything myself, cages, flashing, mothballs, ammonia, electrified hardware cloth..nothing works with any lasting results other than death. Maybe cut down a few trees and create a environment for them. Maybe they'll leave you alone for a little while but they will be back. Sorry but, that has been my family's experience with squirrels (and chipmunks) for the last 60 yrs. at our family place in Pennsylvania.

[Capt. Home Slice]

I have a squirrel problem too, they were getting into my shed, doing their thing, I laid out some rat poison (small bags that you strategically place), and after some was eaten, they have not returned inside. They will however use the trees (and the roof of the shed) to cross over my yard to the neighbors yard and heckle my dog as they do. Using firearms and even bb guns are prohibited in my suburban area so I'm thinkin' about my next move...

[davidrn]

I have a squirrel problem too, they were getting into my shed, doing their thing, I laid out some rat poison (small bags that you strategically place), and after some was eaten, they have not returned inside. They will however use the trees (and the roof of the shed) to cross over my yard to the neighbors yard and heckle my dog as they do. Using firearms and even bb guns are prohibited in my suburban area so I'm thinkin' about my next move...

I have no idea if its legal or not in my town, I live in Massachusetts, I'm guessing if I get caught, I would have a trial by a PETA judge and jury. I say, wake up early, and pick spots your neighbors can't witness you shooting from, and have at them with a good single pump air rifle. Mine is fairly accurate, and if I hit them they usually go down for good. I agree with Pottercounty that killing them is the only home defense, sort of preemptive animal contol. I heard a story on the radio yesterday that they found the DNA code for a wild songbird, and the coding showed that they were born with the knowledge of mating songs. This goes along with my thought that if you kill a generation or two of local squirrels, they will be born knowing your house is evil, and stay away.

[Miriam C.]

I have a squirrel problem too, they were getting into my shed, doing their thing, I laid out some rat poison (small bags that you strategically place), and after some was eaten, they have not returned inside. They will however use the trees (and the roof of the shed) to cross over my yard to the neighbors yard and heckle my dog as they do. Using firearms and even bb guns are prohibited in my suburban area so I'm thinkin' about my next move...

I have no idea if its legal or not in my town, I live in Massachusetts, I'm guessing if I get caught, I would have a trial by a PETA judge and jury. I say, wake up early, and pick spots your neighbors can't witness you shooting from, and have at them with a good single pump air rifle. Mine is fairly accurate, and if I hit them they usually go down for good. I agree with Pottercounty that killing them is the only home defense, sort of preemptive animal contol. I heard a story on the radio yesterday that they found the DNA code for a wild songbird, and the coding showed that they were born with the knowledge of mating songs. This goes along with my thought that if you kill a generation or two of local squirrels, they will be born knowing your house is evil, and stay away.

Like I said "eat them". If you are high on the food chain you will usually go somewhere else.

[spud233]

YEP they be a problem..tried mothballs in attic.worked 2 weeks they returned.beat on house and roof,tried to run all free loaders OUT then use REAL small heavy wire mesh to seal up holes.THEN FUN..property owner we were helping put put corn in feeder...squirels,20 guage birdshot and PRESTO..............SUPPER....slowed them down.relatives have returned,more gravy and meat for supper

[Bigwoods]

They mock me. They run and laugh at my feeble efforts. I have admitted they are smarter than me. I just keep thinking of Caddy Shack and how stupid I look to my wife. No matter what I'm gonna get them. My house may get totaled out, blown up, burned down, but I will get them. 3 to go that I know of. My nemesis.

[mechmagcn]

The last time I was at my place I didn't find any new holes. Haven't been there for a few weeks, so I'll see tomorrow how much destruction they have done while I was away I know that I have to spray this weekend for the wasps, wonder if that'll repel squirrels too

[mechmagcn]

Well, it seems for the moment I have won the battle, but I am sure they are just regrouping for the next phase of the invasion Spent the weekend there and couldn't find any new holes in the house, didn't hear any activity in the ceiling, so maybe.........

[Bigwoods]

Down to 2. One sat in a tree making a gesture at me, but I got him. I hate killin', except for roof rats that continue to mock me. Hate them little buggers.

[Larwyn]

Down to 2. One sat in a tree making a gesture at me, but I got him. I hate killin', except for roof rats that continue to mock me. Hate them little buggers.

Good going. I find pest killing to be a great stress reliever....
Even better if the pest turns out to be made of food.....

[Bigwoods]

My wife didn't like that I said he was making a gesture at me. She thought I should say he was waving with his squirrelly little hand. They act so cute, but are eeeevil!.

[mechmagcn]

he was waving with his squirrelly little hand.

I really shouldn't be reading something like this while trying to eat lunch, I almost choked on a potato chip
When I was down at the house last weekend, there was no more damage, we will see this weekend, I plan to stay there for the first time in many years. Let's see if they'll mock me early in the morning

[canned o minimum]

HAD a pigeon prolen at my old house...a single pump air pellet gun took care of em...they land on the nieghbors roof...not mine !
The "shop" is in the middle of a tree nursery and the NEW squirrels were eatin ALL the friut....Avocados, apples,pecans,walnuts...you git the idea...
I'm a GOOD shot and 5 outta 7 are deceased ! can't find the rest of em.

SHOOT the rat basturds...it's the ONLY real remedy !