Squirrels
Lynn writes~
Each year we plant bulbs, tomato plants, and already have fruit
trees. We never get to gather anything for the squirrels. They
eat everything!!! I love our squirrels, so I wouldn't want
to get rid of them in any way, but I would also like to enjoy
the fruits, vegetables, and be able to see a few of the bulbs
actually get to the blooming stage. We keep all sorts of things
for the squirrels to eat, so they can't possibly be that
hungry. Can you help?
A. The garden can be protected by enclosing it with a 1/4 inch
wire mesh structure. Since squirrels climb you will need to
have a roof as well as walls. At the very least you should protect
your bulb plants for if the squirrel gets these your plant will
die rather than just be damaged. If you don't want to fence,
then you will need to trap down the population at least until
other food sources become available later in the calendar year.
Spring is a tough time for squirrels because they have to feed
young and there is no food available.
I suggest that you go to this page below and read through all
the information. It is way more than I can print here. One point
emphasized is that your area should be cleaned of branches where
squirrels live, no open bins of foods, bird feeders secure so
that they are not attracted to your property for seeds, and
using a goo or fencing for protection. Our home in Ohio has
had hundreds of brown squirrels fro decades and I was always
able to successfully garden there. They pretty much stayed to
their hickory and walnuts.
http://landscaping.about.com/gi/ads/sprunder.htm?ref=sprunder
Squirrels are natural acrobats and can easily overcome (and
I'm convinced, even enjoy) our attempts to thwart them.
You might be able to construct some sort of slippery baffle
that leans outward at the top of the fence. (Of course your
neighbors will have to agree with this since it will be on their
side.) If you make it tall and steep, the squirrels will slide
off if they try to climb it, and it'll be too tall for them
to leap over. Alternatively, a strand or two of electrified
fence a the top of the wooden fence might do the trick. You
could also try laying chicken wire around plants the squirrels
are damaging; they'll usually avoid walking on it.
Try their product:
Get Away Animal Repellent, 1 quart
Best used for: Repelling: Raccoons, deer, rabbits, squirrels,
dogs, and cats from gardens, lawns, landscaped areas, and garbage
cans. Repels by taste and odor. Resists washing off. Pleasant
lemon scent is not offensive to humans. $16.20
http://www.victorpest.com/faq/wildlife.htm
Best of luck. You do not have an easy task.
Casssy writes~ I have fruit trees and the squirrels are eating
all of my fruit! I don't want to use something that will
ruin the taste of the fruit, and don't want to harm or get
rid of the squirrels from the whole yard, just the fruit trees.
Any ideas?
A. Hang mothballs in 1-foot lengths of knee-high nylon hose
in several places around the tree, especially near the heaviest
clusters of fruit. Also sprinkle a few around the base of the
tree. The key is to start early, while the fruit is still tiny
and before the squirrels know it is food. Replenish it every
3-4 weeks when the mothballs get small. There is also a difference
in brands of mothballs. The Enoz brand which Walgreen's
carries has the most potent smell and also lasts the longest.
You can try to repel the animal from your fruit trees or you
can use a Havahart Live Animal Cage Trap and relocate them at
least 8 miles away. Or try a product called Shake-Away. Several
applications of this powder proves immediate impact and safe
control of ornamental plants, vegetables and fruit trees:
http://www.critter-repellent.com/squirrels/test/squirrels-test-trees.html
Here is a link to a website regarding squirrels and possible
solutions:
http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/squirrels/squirrels.htm
Debbie writes~ Does anyone have a good suggestion for keeping
squirrels out of my fig tree...they always get to them just
before ripe.
A. Contact a Home Improvement Contractor for assistance. Look
in the yellow pages: 'Control or Eliminate Rodents or Small
Animals.' Or, Do Your Own Squirrel Control: Repellents that
are Easy to Use, Safe and Natural, Solve your Problem. Squirrels
may look cute, but they're really just rodents with a bushy
tail! And those big teeth and digging claws can do a lot of
damage, including destroying lawns, gardens, and bird feeders,
as well as invading living spaces and vehicles. Trapping squirrels
can be expensive and dangerous (they can be fierce when cornered!).
Poisoning them is illegal in many states, and puts pets and
people at risk. There is an effective, safe squirrel repellent
that really works. Shake-Away is an easy-to-use and scientifically
proven remedy. Shake-Away is a powerful granular repellent that
takes advantage of the strongest deterrent in the animal kingdom:
your small critters, inborn, instinctive fear. It contains the
scent of the squirrels worst enemy, the Fox. Squirrels diet
consists of nuts, insects, seeds and fruit. Because of their
large growing teeth they are veracious chewers, gnawing on everything
from electrical wiring to the eves on your house. By simply
sprinkling the powder around the area you want to protect, your
pest will instinctively steer clear of the area "claimed"
by the Fox. Shake-Away benefits: Easy to apply powder –
Applies in just minutes. Makes NO mess of you or your landscape.
It's Safe - 100% Organic - Safe to use around children,
pets and plants. Does NOT harm the animals you are repelling.
Ethel writes~ We have chipmunks and squirrels digging up
and eating our spring bulbs are a tasty treat. What can my husband
do?
A. Use a bulb booster or rock phosphate from your local nursery
instead of bone meal, which attracts animals. Place cracked
and cutup clam or oyster shells or crushed eggshells in the
holes with the bulbs. These sharp-edged objects discourage animals
digging around the bulbs. Plant a generous supply of daffodils
with other spring bulbs. Rodents usually avoid daffodils. If
the problem is severe, surround the border, dig up the area,
line it with strong hardware cloth, then replace the soil. Once
the bulbs are planted, place hardware cloth over the soil and
cover with mulch. To protect groups of bulbs, enclose the bulb
in hardware cloth before planting or plant bulbs in an inexpensive
plastic pot with a piece of hardware cloth cut to size to cover
the top. Then plant pot in the garden.
Marion writes~
We have hungry squirrels that have taken over the garden, mostly
the flowers. We have used the "little bags" of anti-squirrel
stuff. We have used red pepper both in the pods and powder.
We have used spray in bottles guaranteed to keep away the deer,
rabbits and squirrels but nothing helps. They ate the flowers
from the hibiscus we planted last year. This year they ate the
buds. We have made cages from chicken wire and planted the bulbs
under it. They waited until the flowers appeared and ate the
flowers and buds. Is there any new magic?
A. You have done all that I have recommended in the past and
have nothing else to add. Best check with a local nursery and
your agriculture cooperative extension for new ideas and products.
I am very sorry.
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