[Robert]

We planted all our annuals this weekend (Saturday) and woke up Sunday morning to find that every clay pot my wife planted had been dug out by squirrels. We do know for certain it was squirrels. She had to spend all afternoon Sunday replanting everything. We have now liberally sprinkled cayenne pepper in all the pots to keep them out. It worked for last night. Unfortunately, I suspect that every time she waters the pots we’ll have to reapply the pepper. Does anyone know of a more lasting solution to deter these pests? Sorry, way too suburban a setting for weaponry.

Robert

 

[Greg Stevens]

How about some poison. It works for rats, why not squirrels. Of course if the wife is reluctant to kill the cute squirrels, you are out of luck. D-con rat bait is what I am thinking of. Be sure to keep the kids and dogs out of it. Good luck with your problem.

 

[KYYADA]

I'm not sure if it would work but you could try cigarette butts, maybe a dozen or so in each pot place them just under the surface. It will keep some bugs at bay anyway and it won't hurt the plants. Nicotine is a regestered pesticide for greenhouse use. One little can about the size of a tuna fish can will fumigate a quarter acre building.

Good Luck!

 

[Richard Smith]

Cats will control the squirrel population pretty good. Unfortunately they also will control the bird population as well. Not all cats are good hunters that's why I say "cats", plural.

As more people move up here where I am the cat population has increased greatly. I have bemoaned the fact that despite the fact that "no one's loveable little cats ever leave their yard and are harmless" the quails have been decimated. A bright spot though is that we seldom have any squirrel problems now. Those that aren't killed are scared off.

 

[Mik]

Squirrels is GOOD eating. But anyway, maybe you can use rabbit traps? (Either leg hold or cage)

 

[Torby]

Of course, the squirrel teasing the cat was good for an evening's entertainment

The squirrel would come part way down the tree and chatter at the cat, then scamper around the other side while the cat hunted in vain. Then chatter again, but as the cat was hurrying to the other side of the tree, it'd dissappear around to the other side. When he had the cat completely befuddled, he'd run up the tree, over the house and down the block.

 

[GaryY]

You can try a spray or powder deterents. Try the below site and search under "Rodents".

http://www.gardeners.com/Yard Pest Controls/YardPests,default,sc.html


I haven't used this specific product but it will give you some ideas of whats available. I have tried similar stuff that I've picked up at garden centers and they worked pretty well, especially if your only dealing with flower pots rather than an entire garden.

We are in a pretty urban area and have a forest behind us and lots of squirrels/chipmunks etc around our house. They were a nuisance (they love tulip bulbs) in early spring and we had trouble controlling them. As luck would have it, a fox and vixen have taken up residence in the woods and the rodent population has recently become more 'manageable'. . Nature balancing nature.

Good luck
Gary

 

[R.W. Marty]

Hi all,

In many years of dealing with squirrels and other critters I have found there is only
4 failsafe and safe ways to eliminate them; 4-10, 20ga, 12ga, and the Border Collie.
All other methods are either to slow, to unsure, or not safe, (posions).

Dog has taken out 4 ground squirrels and one tree rat this spring, the 20 ga has taken two.
Of course you have to have an area where these controls can be used.

Just how we do it.
Rick Marty

 

[rpc7271]

Try this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRR4bOquEKQ

 

[VillageRail]

We live in a mature oak forest, so all I have to do is look up to see squirrel nests everywhere. The dog is getting too old to keep them at bay, and they managed to chew up three trash cans in the fall. My daughter's kittens have taken up the slack this spring. "Catzilla" is still smaller than some of the squirrels, but he's taking down one or two a week. Plus they have cleared out the voles. Bad news is they also torture the frogs and skinks, then bring them in the cat door to release and chase. So far I have not seen a dead rabbit or bird. The birds are tougher to catch in the dense woods.

My parents live in a suburban neighborhood, so the only option for them was trapping. They trapped dozens of squirrels last year and released them in a wooded area. So far no squirrels in the attic this year.

 

[Torby]

"Boots" used to bring us shrews. She'd sit forlornly on the windowsill wondering why we wouldn't let her bring her present in, smearing the bloody pulp on the window. Then she'd bury it in the flowerbox and come in for breakfast. She wasn't playing with a full deck, but was a good mouser.

 

[Guest]

Don't think it was squirrels. Most likely Armadillo if you freashly plated them.
Toad

 

[LOST AND CONFUSED]

We have had a simular problem. My wife and I put out a bird house with raw peanuts and sunflower seeds.They are looking for food so if you feed them all plants in your garden will live to see another day.They are also fun to watch so put it within viewing distance of a window. They will sometimes eat while hanging upside down. raw peanuts are cheap at sams or BJs wholesale club and seed is cheap at walmart black seed is cheapest. 25 pound bags under 10 dollars lasts over two months.

 

[Big John]

Black sunflower seed is more like $20 for a 25 pound bag in my area and the squirrels can chew up a pound in under 15 minutes. I do feed the birds and have to settle for the squirrels eating their fill. I hang the feeders on a wire strung between two trees on the oppsite side of my yard. This helps to keep the squirrels away from the trains as they spend a lot of time just trying to get at the seed in the feeders. My dog Megan, an english springer spaniel,goes crazy when she sees a squirrel and immediately scares them off. She doesn't bother the birds so they stay on the feeders if she is around. I haven't had any dammage done to the trains or my flower beds. KNOCK ON WOOD

John

 

[Semper Vaporo]

You guys need to trap the squirels, then train them to run your railroad... make 'em work for their food!

 

[pimanjc]

Here is a possible solution to living with the little guys in the forest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hWYEARi4Mo

Actually, you have my sympathies. Last year the hedgeapple crop was minimized due to a late ice storm. The squirels knawed on buildings, train cars, figures, and anything else they thought might possibly be food. They also dug all over the layout [in search of food caches?] In other years, when food was more plentiful, the squirels weren't a problem. Maybe part of the answer it to put out bread scraps or other food so they will leave your plants alone.

JimC.

 

[VillageRail]

Thanks for the link. Good stuff!

I have a large oak circled by a raised track. The squirrels live in the top and and have to cross the tracks every time they go in or out of the tree. They will knock things over, but so far no chewing. Maybe because they like to chew up the trash cans instead. That, and its right next to where the dog sleeps.

This weekend I picked up a building and found a nest of garden snakes. Sort of like having the Village overrun by giant pythons. I don't mind the snakes, but I hate the little black ants. I discovered they like the buildings with lights. Warm and dry, perfect for raising a family of thousands...

 

[dglasgow]

We planted gouva plants in our grounds but after they began to develop into fruits squirrels are eating them as they are fond of them.How to control these?

 

[Torby]

With or without using explosive devices?

 

[up9018]

Have you tried a double barrel 12 gauge shotgun?