Squirrels - vermin from Hell

lehket

Barbara,

Or you could catch it and train it to plant only the kinds of trees that you like for bonsai.

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Co-author of Spiritual Telemetry,
Host of Planet Baha'i and the Planet Baha'i Forum

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robinpla

Yes, feeding them might actually be the best way to deal with this problem. I have a neighbor across the alley that sings to the squirrels every day "squirly squirly, where are you?" to announce feeding time. So he is really the problem here I think. But even without him I am sure there are plenty of people and trash cans here in Los Angeles that feed these nasty things. No end in sight

So I am wondering what would happen if there was a pile of peanuts in my yard, if the squirrel would take the peanuts and bury them in my pots, or if it would take the nut and realize it doesn't have to save any nuts for the winter or looks for saved nuts in my pots.

Maybe I do a combo. Feed the squirrels, but take them out one by one. I think that's a winner!

robinpla

Glider! Thanks for your response. I don't know the law here in California and what rules there are to use guns in the middle of Los Angeles. I am sure my neighbors wouldn't be too happy knowing I am shooting a gun in my back yard. Also, these woolly rodents are protected by law. I think tree squirrels are protected, but not ground. How the hell do you tell the difference? Rat, rat, or rat? All the same problem in my book

I have tried everything: chili powder, commercial chemicals, animal urine, human urine, large rat traps (not a good idea as it doesn't kill them), live traps (not easy to get rid of them afterwards), slings shot, blow darts, everything.

I wonder if bow and arrow would work?

Somehow I think they raid my plants just to annoy me. There ARE no nuts in my pots so there is no reason for them to dig.

robinpla

NJF, thanks for your reply. I wouldn't be so angry if I lived on the outskirts of a city or even on the country side. But I am in the core of Los Angeles. There shouldn't be any squirrels here. But people feed them and there are plenty of fruit and nut trees here for them to survive. So I guess as long as there is a reason to be here they will stay.

I will try to feed them, although that really does not sit well with me after what they have done Thanks!

robinpla

I have sunflowers growing everywhere...probably from someone feeding the squirrels here.

robinpla

Concorde! I love frank and direct answers. I have been eying those traps in the store here, but was mostly concerned about the aftermath. But that is probably the most effective and painless way of dealing with them. So many good suggestions today

GB_Bonsai

Just don't shoot the neighbor, despite his unacceptable behavior....

I have lost trees to squirrels. Very expensive trees. 2 years ago I used a new cut paste and 1 or more squirrels liked the taste. I lost several trees, including an old expensive Japanese White Pine, before I realized why they were being gnawed. I tried trapping them. No luck. I have 88 acres so there is little danger in shooting, so out came the .22 and down wen the culprits. It was like bailing a boat with a hole in it. More squirrels filled the vacated space so the population is fine. The new squirrels leave my trees alone.

This year the squirrels have been getting into the engine compartment of my Chevy truck. No damage yet. I have explained to them, as plainly and simply as I can, the consequences of messing with my truck. They don't seem to listen. My wife thinks it is odd behavior. She thinks the squirrels are acting strange too...

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robinpla

GB_Bonsai,

Your story reminds me that "my" squirrels eat my bonsai fertilizer pellets. I would put out 40 pellets and later in the day EVERY single pellet would be missing. That's when I soaked them in squirrel poison, but it was a tame poison which requires them to eat it for several days in a row to die. I don't think it affected them. So now I only use liquid fertilizer. I am willing to bet my squirrels are the worst! :)

bisjoe

Here in WA there are some laws regarding squirrels, you'll have to check the laws in your city and state.

First, it's unlawful to discharge any firearm within the city limits.

Then there's a state law protecting the native western gray squirrels as a
state-threatened species. Eastern grays were brought in and are taking over certain areas, so the law prevents you from live trapping them and releasing them in other areas. So if we lived in an area that allowed shooting we could pop them, but first would have to identify which type they are and it's not easy.

Then a state law was passed meant to protect animals in the wild from being killed by traps left for bears. Unfortunately the way the law was written made it illegal also to trap other animals, including squirrels and moles, only mice and rats can be trapped here.

So we have to live with them.

Why do they bother your bonsai? Some may be looking for things to eat, like grubs, worms or roots. They may also be looking for a place to hide food they found elsewhere.

The bark stripping may be for nesting material, but may even do it do it for fun.

The remedies for repelling squirrels do not work well as you know, and the population is great enough that killing a few may slow it down or stop it for a while but then others will come.

The only sure way to protect bonsai is enclosing them in a wire screen. Something like a dog kennel with chicken wire added.