bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Squirrels

It's only cruel if you act with the intent of causing suffering.

In this country, American Grey squirrels are considered vermin. They have killed off most of our native reds because they carry the squirrel pox virus which the reds have no immunity against. They are also highly territorial and 30% larger than reds. They breed prolifically and in enclosed woodland (like the woods near me) quickly overpopulate, and thren spread out into gardens, digging in pots, chewing bulbs and young shoots, taking eggs and baby birds and so-on.

I had a really bad problem with squirrels here. This area of North London is overrun with them. I started out with humane intent, but there is a catch. The less drastic measures such as sonic pest deterrents don't work because squirrels have a hearing range similar to humans. Pepper powders and chemical deterrents are also less effective on squirrels.

The generally accepted most effective way of dealing with squirrels is live trapping. However, the catch is that in the UK, if you trap a squirrel and release it elsewhere, you will have committed an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside act (1981) and the Imported Destructive Animals Act (1933) (releasing destructive vermin into the wild). Therefore, once you have trapped it, you are obliged to kill it (humanely).

My personal view is that having a squirrel trapped in a cage until you can get home to deal with it, especially in an area where there are cats, would probably result in more suffering than shooting them cleanly. So, I got myself a good air rifle (Air Arms TX200HC .22) and after a year, I no longer have a squirrel problem.

As long as you use the right tool for the job, i.e. a proper air rifle with sufficient power like an Air Arms or Weihrauch (.22 not .177), rather than some underpowered backyard 'plinker', and you know how to use it properly, there is no suffering involved.

Squirrels are highly intelligent and determined animals. If they have found a source of food, or things to gnaw on, they won't go away. I tried all kinds of deterrents before resorting to shooting. Ultimately, it's shown to be the only effective method of control. I now consider my rifle as much a part of my bonsai tool kit as my azalea shears, and my trees have suffered no damage for nearly a year now.

3-Apr-2008	#3
Glider bonsaiTALK Master Join Date: Apr-2004 Location: London Country: UK USDA Zone: UK = 9a-b AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 321	It's only cruel if you act with the intent of causing suffering. In this country, American Grey squirrels are considered vermin. They have killed off most of our native reds because they carry the squirrel pox virus which the reds have no immunity against. They are also highly territorial and 30% larger than reds. They breed prolifically and in enclosed woodland (like the woods near me) quickly overpopulate, and thren spread out into gardens, digging in pots, chewing bulbs and young shoots, taking eggs and baby birds and so-on. I had a really bad problem with squirrels here. This area of North London is overrun with them. I started out with humane intent, but there is a catch. The less drastic measures such as sonic pest deterrents don't work because squirrels have a hearing range similar to humans. Pepper powders and chemical deterrents are also less effective on squirrels. The generally accepted most effective way of dealing with squirrels is live trapping. However, the catch is that in the UK, if you trap a squirrel and release it elsewhere, you will have committed an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside act (1981) and the Imported Destructive Animals Act (1933) (releasing destructive vermin into the wild). Therefore, once you have trapped it, you are obliged to kill it (humanely). My personal view is that having a squirrel trapped in a cage until you can get home to deal with it, especially in an area where there are cats, would probably result in more suffering than shooting them cleanly. So, I got myself a good air rifle (Air Arms TX200HC .22) and after a year, I no longer have a squirrel problem. As long as you use the right tool for the job, i.e. a proper air rifle with sufficient power like an Air Arms or Weihrauch (.22 not .177), rather than some underpowered backyard 'plinker', and you know how to use it properly, there is no suffering involved. Squirrels are highly intelligent and determined animals. If they have found a source of food, or things to gnaw on, they won't go away. I tried all kinds of deterrents before resorting to shooting. Ultimately, it's shown to be the only effective method of control. I now consider my rifle as much a part of my bonsai tool kit as my azalea shears, and my trees have suffered no damage for nearly a year now. __________________ Experience is knowledge gained immediately after it was needed.