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Squirrels |
Question:
Squirrels are becoming a real nuisance in our neighborhood. They dig up bulbs, uproot potted plants, monopolize bird feeders, dig holes in the lawn and steal tomatoes and other fruit. Sometimes they shred the bark on tree branches and they even gnaw on the siding and get into the attic. How can we get rid of them?
Minnesota Master Gardeners say:
Squirrels are fun to watch until they start damaging plants and property. They definitely rank high on the list of animals reported to be yard and garden pests.
Barriers
Some people protect their bulbs from squirrels by placing chicken wire over the beds at planting time. The wire is placed flat on the ground and covered with a layer of soil or mulch. It isn't visible and the shoots grow through the mesh. You may be able to keep the squirrels from digging in the pots by cutting a piece of mesh to fit over the soil in the container before or after planting seeds, seedlings, cuttings, bulbs or corms.
When squirrels target a particular plant or steal fruits and vegetables, you may be able to foil them by building a fence or cage around or over the affected plants.
Squirrels often reach roofs and attics by running along cables and power lines or leaping from overhanging branches. They may be deterred by keeping all branches at least 8 feet from buildings. It may also help to attach a wide collar of metal six feet from the base of nearby trees. Be sure to loosen the collar occasionally or otherwise attach it so that it does not interfere with the tree's growth.
Two or three-inch plastic pipe can be split to cover cables or wires. The pipe will rotate when a squirrel tries to cross it. Check with utility officials before doing this to avoid hazards.
Tanglefoot or other sticky materials can be applied to buildings, railings, downspouts, and other areas to keep squirrels from climbing. To prevent a mess, apply masking tape to the area beforehand.
Use hardware cloth or plywood to cover holes squirrels may use to enter walls or attics. But be sure not to lock any squirrels inside in the process.
Most squirrels can not reach bird feeders mounted on posts protected with baffles. However, the post must be located well away from overhanging branches or other structures so that the squirrels can not bypass the baffle by leaping directly to the feeder.
Repellents
Taste repellents such as Ropel or Hinder can be applied to seeds, bulbs, and flowers, trees and shrubs, poles and fences, siding and outdoor furniture. However it will be necessary to reapply repellents after rain. Repellents are most effective when they are applied before the damage has begun.
Squirrels are supposedly adverse to tasting cayenne pepper. Hot pepper powder, which is said not to affect birds, is sometimes mixed in with bird seed to keep squirrels out. Reports about the effectiveness of this strategy have been mixed.
Habitat modification
Removing overhanging branches and other access to bird feeders and buildings will help reduce squirrel damage.
Offering an alternative source of food such as corn, nuts or sunflower seeds might distract the squirrels from bulbs and other valuable plants. However, alternative feed as well as bird feeding may also increase the number of squirrels that visit the yard. In some cases it may be best to eliminate feeding altogether.
Squirrels dig to cache food and they dig again to retrieve the food they have hidden. However, the holes are quite shallow and the impact of the digging on a healthy lawn is usually minimal and temporary. Since digging is part of a squirrel's adaptation for survival, it may be impossible to eliminate this behavior. Ground covers such as pachysandra, ajuga or vinca might be an alternative to grass in areas where the diggings is a major problem. Squirrels are unlikely to dig in the groundcover and if they do, no one will notice.
Some bulbs such as crocus and tulip seem to be more attractive to deer, rabbits and squirrels than others. Daffodils and narcissus are usually left alone, so you consider adding more of these to your bulb collection.
Trapping
When all else fails you may resort to trapping and removal. Live traps are available for rent at some hardware stores and nature centers. Peanuts, sunflower seeds, apple slices and peanut butter are good baits. Tie trap doors open for two or three days to get squirrels accustomed to feeding in the traps. Then set the traps and check them twice daily. Inform your neighbors of the trap. If you decide to relocate the squirrels, you must have the permission of the property owner (individual or government) before releasing them. You may have to trap several before you observe a noticeable decrease in squirrel activity and damage.
Here are some links for more information about controlling tree squirrels:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for45/for45.htm
http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/wildlife/g1377.htm
http://www.msue.msu.edu/genesee/natres/squirrel.htm
http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/cageproduct.htm