On 5/3/2013 2:28 PM, Gus wrote:
"Frank" wrote in message
...
On 5/3/2013 8:25 AM, Gus wrote:
What non-lethal methods work best to keep city squirrels away from
tomatoes? It is a serious problem here. I wouldn't mind sharing some
tomatoes, but the squirrels here are very rude and do not share. And
actually taunt. Taking a bite out of a perfectly good tomato and then
leaving it.

Building a wire cage probably is the best method, but I hear they can
even get through those. And I'm not all that handy at building things.

Last year, putting soaking a rag with vinegar about every 3 or so days
seemed to work for a while. Though at the end of the summer, even that
was not deterring them that well.



Havahart trap and relocate to a more affluent neighborhood.

Largest rat traps will sometimes get them. Bait with peanut butter.

I laced bird feeder with gobs of hot pepper flakes and it would not
deter them.

Squirrels are not an endangered species and if you can't use a .22 you
might consider an air rifle.


Too many to get rid of them all; another will just take its place. They
are like the Chinese army.

I know. One summer I was trying to trap a groundhog and before I got
him I must have made a half dozen trips to the park to drop of squirrels
before I got the ground hog.

I would shoot them if my wife would permit it. One guy I know says he
has to shoot over a dozen before he sees a difference. I'm not sure
tomatoes are a favorite food for them and if it is just a few and you
get them it may cease. Squirrels can live a dozen years and do have
memories. Two months since I put away the bird feeder a squirrel will
come up on the deck looking for it. Since most of my property got
shaded in and deer became the big problem I've been growing my tomatoes
on the deck without squirrels bothering them. Racoons are more of a
problem and will sometimes just rip up a small plant.

You need know laws where you live. Some places like here make trap and
release illegal but you can trap and kill the animal. I released a
squirrel right in front of a cop once but he said nothing.