Squirrel problems? (1 Viewer)

[jforgham]

Evening all,
Having returned home from work on many occasion to find £5.00 plus worth of bird food devoured by grey squirrels and the plastic feeders chewed to pieces, I decided on Operation Squirrelless.
First, off to local supermarket for a large bag of birds eye, haberneros and scotch bonnet chillies. Back home, whacked 'em in blender until a good paste. Added small quantity of water to dilute paste but not strength.
Applied, (with my partner's toothbrush whilst she was out,) a coating of the powerful paste to feeder, branches and fence tops that are the main arteries of traffic for the little grey b**g*rs.
Wow, great results. Along comes the wretched rodent, walking over the chilli paste. Smells something amiss and immediately licks paws. Instant result. Tail spinning ready for vertical take off, barking incessantly and last seen dashing through canopy at end of garden, with, undoubtedly, my whoops of joy and breaking open of beer bottle ringing in its ears. Better was to come. Number 2 comes trolling along same path. This one wipes its eyes with paws. Well, poor little s*d didn't know what to do or where to go. Fell off fence. Two-nil!!

Yep, I know there will be those out there who shout cruelty but I pay to feed the birds not some introduced furry tailed rat who destroys the feeders. They are still around as the old folk next door put food out for them, but for a month or more they have not ventured into the garden.
Other top tips available.
All the best and continue to enjoy the birds in your garden. It's a great way of showing the young what birds are about etc and just adds a pleasurable dimension to what can be rather dull gardens after heavy frost.
Jono

 

[turkish van]

Well done on a not too cruel way of keeping squirrels off the feeders. I know a lot of people have problems with this, hopefully you've found a solution so they won't get too out of hand.

Don't be too hard on the little fellas though, it is getting a bit chilly out there.

 

[-25]

Send them to me, I got five regulars 3 others once in a while. I gladly feed them. My local feed store had 50 lb bags of corn for $5 and the black sunflower seeds for $5 aswell, so feeding them is cheap. I get a bag a month.

 

[Andy Wraithmell]

Evening all,
Having returned home from work on many occasion to find £5.00 plus worth of bird food devoured by grey squirrels and the plastic feeders chewed to pieces, I decided on Operation Squirrelless.
First, off to local supermarket for a large bag of birds eye, haberneros and scotch bonnet chillies. Back home, whacked 'em in blender until a good paste. Added small quantity of water to dilute paste but not strength.
Applied, (with my partner's toothbrush whilst she was out,) a coating of the powerful paste to feeder, branches and fence tops that are the main arteries of traffic for the little grey b**g*rs.
Wow, great results. Along comes the wretched rodent, walking over the chilli paste. Smells something amiss and immediately licks paws. Instant result. Tail spinning ready for vertical take off, barking incessantly and last seen dashing through canopy at end of garden, with, undoubtedly, my whoops of joy and breaking open of beer bottle ringing in its ears. Better was to come. Number 2 comes trolling along same path. This one wipes its eyes with paws. Well, poor little s*d didn't know what to do or where to go. Fell off fence. Two-nil!!

Yep, I know there will be those out there who shout cruelty but I pay to feed the birds not some introduced furry tailed rat who destroys the feeders. They are still around as the old folk next door put food out for them, but for a month or more they have not ventured into the garden.
Other top tips available.
All the best and continue to enjoy the birds in your garden. It's a great way of showing the young what birds are about etc and just adds a pleasurable dimension to what can be rather dull gardens after heavy frost.
Jono

Im not a big fan of squirrels either but they are native here. I think thats a pretty cruel way of getting rid of them though, more humane to just shoot them, who knows you may have blinded that particular one. I prefer squirrel proofing my feeders and have never had a problem with them destroying feeders and stealing all the food. They just mop up the spillage which is handy as I dont have to. Anyway Chilli is far to good to go wasting it on squirrels!!! :flyaway: If it wasnt for the squirrels the bird feeding business would go bust. Just imagine all that money we spend on trying to prevent them from eating our bird food etc. You have to admire their intelligence. I can think of one species that does more harm to the natural world than the Gray Squirrel; Humans :-C

 

[bristolbirder]

You could always make life easier for yourself and buy squirrel-proof feeders instead.

Steve

 

[jforgham]

You could always make life easier for yourself and buy squirrel-proof feeders instead.

Steve

Hi Steve,
I tried some "squirrel proof" feeders. Watched in amazement as 1 rodent sat in tree and actually pulled up the chain with the feeder attached, then gnawed the one part that it could get to. Feeder cost £15.99 and was rendered fairly useless in too quick a time. Having only limited space need to have the hanging from apple tree. Also find that if you dangle them away from main branches and use string then this makes it difficult for the rodents to get the food.
The "blinded" sq seemed to be fine shortly afterwards, feeding in nextdoor neighbours garden. They are so regular that they can be told apart by the quantity of red in their fur.

I take it that limeybirder is Andy that was David Walker's assistant at Dunge several years ago (Audioun's gull year 2003?)

Jono

 

[tiomet]

You are incredibly cruel, I hope one day you get hot chilli in your eyes.

I cannot believe you posted this miserable thing with pride.

You are lower than a gunbubber

 

[turkish van]

You are incredibly cruel, I hope one day you get hot chilli in your eyes.

I cannot believe you posted this miserable thing with pride.

You are lower than a gunbubber

Careful now, we don't want to go down that road again do we!!

It is better than certain other measures which were suggested on another particular thread...

 

[tiomet]

No it is not better, it is just different.

I listened to a program on morning radio the other day in which a man was describing how his family were waging war on squirrels coming into their garden. Boasted that his son had `got' one and his wife had `got' one and he had `got' two in that last month. He was so full of spiteful pride about it that I cringed ... it was so hokey and rednecked. "Lookit Maw, Ise got me a furbawl!"

This chilli pepper thing is like that except with a different accent "Look, my dear sirs, I have despatched a rodent, by gads! And I made gave it such pain it fell off the fence, don't you know! Huzzah!"

There is no difference ... and even were someone to describe another method of cruelly killing or causing horrible pain to the squirrels it would simply be the same... just another accent to hide behind.

If you have the nature to be cruel then do not justify it by boasting it is okay to cause pain to a small creature. You are not clever, you are not entitled to be proud. How big a man you are to blind a squirrel just because it chewed your plastic bird feeder!

 

[Andy Wraithmell]

The crux of the matter really is that if we didnt feed birds then the squirrels probably wouldn't come into our gardens/yards therefore we are to blame. The squirrels don't know that the food isnt for the them they have just adapted to the situation and have proved very successful. I dont hate them I see it as a challenge to thwart their dastardly attempts to empty my feeders. It took a lot of time and patience but Ive gone almost 12 months without having a squirrel on my feeders. I actually enjoy having them in my yard because it gives the Red-tailed Hawks something to eat and my Dog something to chase! And they clean up the spillage under my feeders.

Now in the UK the Gray Squirrel is not native but whose fault is that, ours maybe not you individually but ultimately as a collective we have made some pretty daft decisions. Introducing Starlings was just about the dumbest thing this country has done to its ecosystem. Well at least until they start drilling in ANWR.

Ask yourself this Why are the squirrel numbers increasing?

a) because its a very intelligent animal that can pretty much survive in any climate/habitat.

b) we are providing them with easy pickings which makes it even easier for them to thrive

c) loss of natural woodland habitat

d) they aren't controlled by the conservation bodies/government agencies

If you are really that bothered by them then there are easier and more humane ways of dealing with them.

One last thing. Would you put out chilli if you had Red Squirrels in your yard? If the answer is no then you are a hypocrit. Why, because Red Squirrels will chew up and empty your feeder as well.

8-P


I take it that limeybirder is Andy that was David Walker's assistant at Dunge several years ago (Audioun's gull year 2003?)


thats me.

 

[Mary Evelyn]

Wow, great results. Along comes the wretched rodent, walking over the chilli paste. Smells something amiss and immediately licks paws. Instant result. Tail spinning ready for vertical take off, barking incessantly and last seen dashing through canopy at end of garden, with, undoubtedly, my whoops of joy and breaking open of beer bottle ringing in its ears. Better was to come. Number 2 comes trolling along same path. This one wipes its eyes with paws. Well, poor little s*d didn't know what to do or where to go. Fell off fence. Two-nil!!


Jono

It is the boasting and pleasure received because of the results of this action that gets me.It is cruel to torture an animal and that's exactly what happened here.

 

[saluki]

It is the boasting and pleasure received because of the results of this action that gets me.It is cruel to torture an animal and that's exactly what happened here.

Is the cruelty any more severe because someone discusses it? Who has tortured an animal? Let's keep things in perspective . . .

saluki

 

[turkish van]

No it is not better, it is just different.

I listened to a program on morning radio the other day in which a man was describing how his family were waging war on squirrels coming into their garden. Boasted that his son had `got' one and his wife had `got' one and he had `got' two in that last month. He was so full of spiteful pride about it that I cringed ... it was so hokey and rednecked. "Lookit Maw, Ise got me a furbawl!"

This chilli pepper thing is like that except with a different accent "Look, my dear sirs, I have despatched a rodent, by gads! And I made gave it such pain it fell off the fence, don't you know! Huzzah!"

There is no difference ... and even were someone to describe another method of cruelly killing or causing horrible pain to the squirrels it would simply be the same... just another accent to hide behind.

If you have the nature to be cruel then do not justify it by boasting it is okay to cause pain to a small creature. You are not clever, you are not entitled to be proud. How big a man you are to blind a squirrel just because it chewed your plastic bird feeder!

I'm not disagreeing with you. And regretting my first post now! I read Jono's too fast to take it in properly, and reading it back I think the attitude is completely cruel and unneccessary. But still, attitude aside, the method of detering the squirrels by someone who is obviously determined not to have them in the garden is maybe not that bad. Yes it is cruel, and the squirrel would have been hurt but probably not for too long. Can chilli paste really cause blindness? (actually a question - I don't know the answer) As Jono said, the squirrel appeared fine not long after (assuming it was the same one). Hopefully the squirrels will be sensible enough not to go in the garden again to save themselves from unneccessary pain.

Just to get it straight - I'm on your side.

Jono I hope you aren't showing young people it is ok to hurt an animal!

B :eat: :frog: 3

 

[Tim42]

I finally created a squirrel-proof baffle made from an old, one-gallon plastic potato chip jar that the rascals chewed the heck out of but they gave up on it. It's tattered but doing its job, well! They hardly come to feed on what the birds toss out of the feeders. I kinda miss them in a way, they were entertaining! Happy birding! :hi:

 

[jforgham]

Hi,
No animal was seriously injured in this system
BTO and RSPB sponsor pepper spray to deter squirrels. All mine is is a slightly stronger version that lasts longer. Their reaction to a recently sprayed feeder is much the same as previously described.
I have witnessed enough squirrels systematically destoying nests and young of garden birds that are now clearly declining in number. (No I am not laying their decline solely at the squirrels drey, just pointing out they are an influencing factor.)
No, I do not teach animal cruelty to children. I happen to run several bird and wildlife clubs for children and encourage their enthusiasm in all aspects of nature and the environment.
The local sq in our gardens, as previously mentioned, are recognisable as individuals. They are around most days and colour is a good way of distinguishing them, as is their braveness and intelligence. Some watch, others investigate.
Like many introduced species shooting them just leaves a space for more to move in, a la cane toad in Australia, rabbit in loads of places.
I feel litle harm has been done here but appreciate all are entitled to their own opinion
What is a gunblubber? (apart from me)

Jono

 

[Andy Wraithmell]

Hi,
No animal was seriously injured in this system
BTO and RSPB sponsor pepper spray to deter squirrels. All mine is is a slightly stronger version that lasts longer. Their reaction to a recently sprayed feeder is much the same as previously described.
I have witnessed enough squirrels systematically destoying nests and young of garden birds that are now clearly declining in number. (No I am not laying their decline solely at the squirrels drey, just pointing out they are an influencing factor.)
No, I do not teach animal cruelty to children. I happen to run several bird and wildlife clubs for children and encourage their enthusiasm in all aspects of nature and the environment.
The local sq in our gardens, as previously mentioned, are recognisable as individuals. They are around most days and colour is a good way of distinguishing them, as is their braveness and intelligence. Some watch, others investigate.
Like many introduced species shooting them just leaves a space for more to move in, a la cane toad in Australia, rabbit in loads of places.
I feel litle harm has been done here but appreciate all are entitled to their own opinion
What is a gunblubber? (apart from me)

Jono

So if Im hearing you right

1) Putting out chilli is a better way to deter and control squirrels than a 12 bore shotgun?

2) Gray Squirrels are partly to blame for the decline of British birds?

If thats the case then my response is

1) A nationwide cull would reduce their numbers significantly if carried out once a year every year.

2) I once watched a Red Squirrel in Abernethy Forest raid a Mistle Thrushes nest and take all the newly hatched young

I have two better solutions to your problem which wont cause you to needlessly waste good chilli.

1) dont feed the birds thus the squirrels will have nothing to eat except at your neighbours but you could kill your neighbour thus creating a squirrel free neighbourhood :smoke:

2) when hanging your feeder thread the rope/string whatever you use to hang the feeder with through a 3 foot length of 3/4 inch PVC plumbing pipe before tying it off to the handle on your feeder

Finally if you think you've got it bad we have blooming squirrels that fly over here mate and they only come out at night. We also have Raccoons who eat raw chillis and tobasco for breakfast. Bears that will tear down your tree that the feeder is hanging from. Oh and Opossums which are downright ugly.

A lady came into the Wild Birds Unlimited store I work at and told me that she opened her bird feeder once and there was a snake curled up inside it and she once had an Alligator sunning itself on her lawn between the house and her feeders!

:t: :smoke: :'D

 

[jforgham]

Limeybirder,
Like the suggestions, but unfortunately took your ideas in order as I read and now don't have any rope left as the neighbours are dangling from their trees.
More seriously, yep, have used this method and it's good to watch the sq try to fathom it out. Originally used triple ply twine , which was chewed throough inside 2 days. However, so dark when I go to work and dark upon my return that it's only weekends that I get to enjoy the garden birds.
Jono

 

[tiomet]

A gunbubber is someone who boasts about killing small creatures with guns - usually air rifles - usually just causing injury that makes the creatures suffer for a long time before they die days later.

While I admire someone who uses their precious spare time educating people, and children, and running wildlife clubs it does not mitigate cruelty and no matter how it is dressed up, causing burning pain to a small creature is cruel.

I have four squirrels that come to my garden. They have never attacked my feeders. The reason why is because I buy big bags of peanuts, the ones with shells on, and I put a couple of handfuls out a day, along with a handful of raisins and sultanas (sometimes other dried fruit). I have a separate feeding place for them and they never bother the other feeding areas. Plus they offer a lot of entertainment.

If I were worried about any regular visitor to my garden it would be the two Eurasian jays who I suspect are going to cause a lot of fledgling death come the season. At the present time they share the same diet as the squirrels so I make sure they are catered for, plus the carrion crows and magpies (who eat cat food and fruit in another feeding area.

But I would not burn out the throats of the jays just as I would not do that to the squirrels ... for one reason ... because it is cruel.

You know, there is so much killing and pain and devastation in this world, is it really so hard to celebrate a small life without causing it misery? A big sack of peanuts is really really cheap and I would rather the 5 pounds outlay than seeing them die in pain or of the cold.

 

[Mary Evelyn]

Is the cruelty any more severe because someone discusses it? Who has tortured an animal? Let's keep things in perspective . . .

saluki

If I had chilli powder in my eyes,I would know it,should my pain be more than that of a squirrel.I don't think so.

The reason I said torture was because the poster enjoyed seeing the results,that's the difference.

I know people who use chilli powder to deter the squirrels but if they were to see a squirrel in such a distressed state, they would not be happy.Indeed, they would stop using it.To deter is not to inflict deliberate pain or cause injury.To get a buzz out of it,as stated in a post,is obscene.

 

[GDC]

I guess squirrels can be a problem or a source of entertainment. I think of them as entertainment. I have a gray squirrel who sits on my feeder and makes a pig out of himself. But the way he eats and hangs on everything and away when I holler I've gotten so I enjoy it. If I could teach him a few good manners it would be better. He can be viewed by going on my website if your lucky @ (www.wrmn.net)