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Squirrel problem

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LizD_2
LizD_2 Posts: 1,503 Forumite
I've been Money Tipped!
How do keep our resident squirrels out of my freshly planted veg tubs?
I have guinea pigs in the garden, so a sonic device is out. He has eaten a hole in our wire bird feeder, so would need something stronger than that. Humane ideas only please.

Went out this afternoon and nutkin had been digging! I suspect i may get peanuts, rather than courgettes come the summer. Maybe that's his evil little plan?!
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Comments

  • wendym
    wendym Posts: 2,945 Forumite
    I am convinced that squirrels have a plan for world domination based on changing the eco-system of the planet so that the UK becomes a huge peanut plantation.
    But watching them with a cup of tea (me, not them.......yet) is one of my great pleasures.
    Sorry this isn't at all helpful.
  • LizD_2
    LizD_2 Posts: 1,503 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    I agree! I do like them being in the garden, just wish they'd bury their nuts elsewhere! :D
    Don't want to get rid of them, hence a request for humane deterents (sp?).
  • Bordera
    Bordera Posts: 307 Forumite
    If it is a tub would a couple of layers of net curtain tightly stretched over the top keep them out? I think it would be more of a deterrent than metal because it moves strangely and they will find it more difficult to get a grip on it.

    We have found that layers of old fishing net have been the most effective way of keeping squirrels out of a roof cavity, strangely enough, but that experiment is still ongoing.
  • Whitefiver
    Whitefiver Posts: 693 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    You can buy humane traps for squirrels, and then "re-locate" them. My choice would be the bottom of a full water butt, but you could treat them to a nice little car ride.

    Be warned, they are viscious little bu$$ers when trapped.

    Really the best answer is a 12 bore. Humane if you are good shot!

    Regards,

    White.
  • shammyjack
    shammyjack Posts: 2,685 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Whitefiver wrote:
    You can buy humane traps for squirrels, and then "re-locate" them. My choice would be the bottom of a full water butt, but you could treat them to a nice little car ride.

    Be warned, they are viscious little bu$$ers when trapped.

    Really the best answer is a 12 bore. Humane if you are good shot!

    Regards,

    White.

    Fully agree with the 12 bore bit !

    I find a pump up air rifle ( old Crossman ) works wonders.

    Humane traps would be ok if you could airmail em back to Uncle Sam FOC .

    They make a good stew but you need a few .

    Total extinction in the UK would do wonders for the songbird population.

    shammy
  • shetitasatic
    shetitasatic Posts: 209 Forumite
    Depends how big your tubs are but I use large upturned empty hanging baskets to keep wildlife- and cats - off plants. Also stops my DH cutting clematis off at the base with enthusiastic use of the strimmer!!
  • LizD_2
    LizD_2 Posts: 1,503 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    whitefiver and shammy - shame on you, :mad: you may not like greys, but it was people who put them here in the first place and they've gone on to do very well because they are not a specialist species like the reds. The main reason there are few reds left is because their habitat (pine forests) and main food source has largely been destroyed by humans! :eek:

    Not a personal attack guys, but greys are here to stay and they have every right to life. A number of well-loved species in Britain are not native to this country
  • tagz
    tagz Posts: 690 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    We are plagued by the little furry blighters, and they have destroyed many hanging baskets and plants in containers. I've now loaded my hanging baskets with lots of kebab sticks. Hopefully they don't like the sticks up their bottoms!
    I would if I could but I can't so I won't!
  • brindles01
    brindles01 Posts: 1,003 Forumite
    Grate a bar of soap (any) onto the area you want to protect and this will deter them as they do not like the smell. You can just tickle it into the soil to hide it. OTH,s!
    DTD - Doing Tesco Daily - while I still have vouchers!
  • Rat_Chick
    Rat_Chick Posts: 259 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Photogenic Combo Breaker
    Squirrels are lovely but they are little vandals.

    One tried to mug me the other day for a carob bar. Made the mistake of opening my bag without noticing how close he was, one minute he was on the floor then the next he was on my trouser leg. He jumped off as soon as I said you cheeky little bu**er :D
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