"Derek Turner" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 16 Sep 2002 14:55:46 +0100, Jane Lumley
wrote:

My tulip bulbs are falling prey to a grey squirrel. I don't really want
to net over the entire area with chicken wire, and I understand they can
get under it anyway. What I really want is to get rid of the tree rat -
I feel no real compunction as they are an introduced species and a
menace to native species. Anyone know a bait they'll take, but one that
won't harm other animals or pets? Or a suitable trap?

What you need is a Fenn trap from your local gunsmiths. You also need
a few bricks a couple of pieces of drain-pipe and a roofing
tile/slate. The idea is to surround the trap with bricks, lay the
slate on top and have the pipes lead in an out of the 'death-chamber'.
There's no need to bait the trap, squirrels can't resist running
through tunnels. The Fenn trap is lethal so there's no need to
drown/otherwise kill them. The tunnel arrangement stops you local cats
and dogs getting caught, you may catch rats though.

I was not aware that the Fenn trap is lethal, I was under the impression
that it just caught them alive.

But there is still the chance that hedgehogs will get caught as well, last
year we managed to trap several hedgehogs, and they were a b*gger
to get out of the trap, as they curl up into a ball, and their spines get
caught in the wire, but so far I haven't managed to kill one!

Alan
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Reply to alan(at)windsor-berks(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

hth
--
Derek Turner

The english summer consists of three fine days and a thunderstorm. -
Charles II