"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
I have a squirrel issue. They are getting onto and into my clay
flowerpots to lick the fertilizer salts that build up on the rim of
the clay pots. Any idea on how to deter them? I am considering
making soup, but for that I'd only need 2 or 3.
"Issue." I like that diplomatic phrase.
Funny you should mention this. I, and my township are currently at war with
the rock squirrels here. It is an annual event, and if it were not for
PETA, we'd hold a cooking competition, or squirrel skin caps, or some such
falderal.
I have been developing a trap, of which I am at Model 2. Model 1 was a can
on a wire that they ran out on and fell in the water in a barrel. Model 2
that you see here is a principle of tipping, when they get into the tube,
the tube tips down, and they fall into the water. Or if they go on top,
they will fall in when they walk on top of the tube. I caught several, but
they can run out of the tube, or jump when they step on top and the tube
starts to go in. So, Model 3 is under construction, and it will have a tube
just like this, but on the right end, will use a simple latch so that when
they pull the bait attached to the latch, they are all the way at the end,
and their full weight is on the end, and it will be a trap door effect. I
may even do a Mod4, which will be just a square one foot trap door with a
latch release.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deserttraveler/
They strip almond trees, apricot trees, peach trees, and a lot of times just
throw away the fruit and take the seeds. I hope to develop one that works
really well, and sell them to locals. The people on the other side of our
creek cannot fire guns, but we can, and some days it sounds like warfare.
One new resident to the quiet side of the creek called the county sheriff
one day on us. He came out and asked what was up. "You're not from around
here, are you?" was our first question. We explained the squirrel question,
and the regulation that we were in an Agricultural Zone, and could use
gunfire to prevent crop depredation by any animal.
I don't know if this helps. I also have a HavAHart trap that I use, and
that gets them. But I like these barrel and bucket ones because they reset
themselves, and work multiple times with one bait.
I am going to cheat a little, though. Gundogworld.com has eau de squirrel
cologne, and I have ordered two bottles of it to get the horny little
buggers to go deep into the trap. Was even thinking of having a squirrel
rump taxidermy stuffed as the enticer, but decided not to on sanitary
concerns.
You can make a very simple one that works great, and works great for mice by
using just a five gallon bucket with a tin can on a wire stretched across
it. Drill a small hole in the top and bottom of the can, so use a juice can
or something with the top and bottom in it. Slather with peanut butter.
Bend the wire, or put a little loop so the can stays centered. They go out
there to get it, the can rolls, and ploop, into the water where they drown.
These are outstanding! traps for around the house or garden, as they have no
poison, and are safe for kids and dogs. JUST BE SURE TO CHECK DAILY, as
they get SKANKY smelling real quick in this warm weather. They cost
literally nothing to build.
Yeah yeah, I know. You can use live traps. And then take them to a movie,
and lunch and a drive in the country, and relocate them. But most of them
come back, or another one just moves into the vacant squirrel condo. Tin
Cat by Victor is the best live trap for mice, and HavAHart is good for
squirrels. I use them, and then just soak them in a bucket of water for
five minutes. That does the trick. If you want to see how these guys can
figure out obstacles, watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWU0bfo-bSY
Let me know how you do, or your ideas. This thread has been running in
alt.home.repair
Steve
visit my blog at
http://cabgbypasssurgery.com