Squirrel problem 9 May 2006 at 9:30PM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Greenfingered MoneySaving 11 replies 2.5K views

LizD_2

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?!

wendym

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

I agree! I do like them being in the garden, just wish they'd bury their nuts elsewhere!
Don't want to get rid of them, hence a request for humane deterents (sp?).

Bordera

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

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

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

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

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

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!

brindles01

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!

Rat_Chick

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