I have a herd of squirrels in my yard. A few years back, I only had
pretty bushy tailed gray squirrels, who didn't do much damage. But in
recent times, I've been over run by scruffy looking little tree
squirrels, who seem to have ran off the gray squirrels. These new
varmints are destructive.

I have a gazebo in my back yard, and these critters are gnawing and
chewing on the roof to it. They have literally chewed up the corners
of the support posts.

I've tried a lot of things, but am woe to come up with a good solution.
.. .Do any of you have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Myrl Jeffcoat
http://www.myrljeffcoat.com

Myrl Jeffcoat wrote:
I have a herd of squirrels in my yard. A few years back, I only had
pretty bushy tailed gray squirrels, who didn't do much damage. But in
recent times, I've been over run by scruffy looking little tree
squirrels, who seem to have ran off the gray squirrels. These new
varmints are destructive.

I have a gazebo in my back yard, and these critters are gnawing and
chewing on the roof to it. They have literally chewed up the corners
of the support posts.

I've tried a lot of things, but am woe to come up with a good solution.
. .Do any of you have any ideas?

Jeff,

I have a solution. Cut down every tree in your yard and blacktop it,
remove any birdfeeders, and buy a large pack of Feists, Rat/Jack/Fox
Terriers, or Bluetick Hounds.

Seriously though... you have to ask yourself what brings them to your
yard? Is it large trees, specifically oak trees? If so, can you cut
some down? Do you have a bird feeder? And is it often filled with
peanuts/nuts or corn, is it? Have you tried a squirrel-proof feeder?
First, try to eliminate or reduce the draw.

Next, you need something to put a little fear in the squirrels? Do you
have a dog you could put on occassion patrol?

Lastly, then try to relocate them. Buy a few live-animal traps.

Good luck,
Patrick

Myrl Jeffcoat wrote:
I have a herd of squirrels in my yard. A few years back, I only had
pretty bushy tailed gray squirrels, who didn't do much damage. But in
recent times, I've been over run by scruffy looking little tree
squirrels, who seem to have ran off the gray squirrels. These new
varmints are destructive.

I have a gazebo in my back yard, and these critters are gnawing and
chewing on the roof to it. They have literally chewed up the corners
of the support posts.

I've tried a lot of things, but am woe to come up with a good solution.
. .Do any of you have any ideas?

22 rifle with subsonic ammunition as to not disturb neighbors works
best.
Hav-a-hart traps.
Large rat traps baited with peanut butter.

You may find it helps to attract the squirrels to a different part of
your yard via a squirrel feeder. I would look at something that feeds
a fair amount of food (i.e., not one of those that holds a single ear
of corn or two), bearing in mind that you'll probably have to feed them
a fair amount of food, too. I would avoid using something on the
ground due to the likelihood of also attracting skunks and raccoons.

Also, I would closely examine the roof of the gazebo to see if some
kind of seed (maple keys or some such), insects, or other food source
is getting caught in there and attracting them to it.

This might provide some useful info, too:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74122.html

Jo Ann

Myrl Jeffcoat wrote:
I have a herd of squirrels in my yard. A few years back, I only had
pretty bushy tailed gray squirrels, who didn't do much damage. But in
recent times, I've been over run by scruffy looking little tree
squirrels, who seem to have ran off the gray squirrels. These new
varmints are destructive.

I have a gazebo in my back yard, and these critters are gnawing and
chewing on the roof to it. They have literally chewed up the corners
of the support posts.

I've tried a lot of things, but am woe to come up with a good solution.
. .Do any of you have any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Myrl Jeffcoat
http://www.myrljeffcoat.com

On 6 Sep 2006 10:19:00 -0700, Myrl Jeffcoat wrote:
I have a gazebo in my back yard, and these critters are gnawing and
chewing on the roof to it. They have literally chewed up the corners
of the support posts.

A decent pellet rifle with a scope. Around $100 will be fine. The
harder part might be finding time to sit out there and pick them off.

If you have a pre-teen or early teenager around that you trust, it can
be a good job. Pay them by the tail. A buck or two should be good.
(30+ years ago my grandpa used to pay me $0.25 canadian....)

A friend has an old doberman that used to do a number on the squirrels
in his yard. Sneak right up on them... Now she has disovered how to
catch birds mid-flight and the squirrels have mostly lost their appeal.
But his 8 year old daughter is a crack shot.

sdb
--
Wanted: Omnibook 800 & accessories, cheap, working or not
sdbuse1 on mailhost bigfoot.com

Thanks for all your suggestions and replies. My yard is standard
subdivision size. The neighborhood is heavy with trees of all kinds.
It was once a walnut orchard, which isn't helping the situation. My
back neighbor has tons of fruit trees.

Shooting the little varmints in close proximity to other homes isn't an
option. Trapping and relocating is worth trying.

I think I'll try that avenue next!

Thanks again!

Myrl Jeffcoat
http://www.myrljeffcoat.com

"Myrl Jeffcoat" wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks for all your suggestions and replies. My yard is standard
subdivision size. The neighborhood is heavy with trees of all kinds.
It was once a walnut orchard, which isn't helping the situation. My
back neighbor has tons of fruit trees.

Shooting the little varmints in close proximity to other homes isn't an
option. Trapping and relocating is worth trying.

I think I'll try that avenue next!

Havahart trap, crackers with peanut butter. But, the floor of those traps is
screen, and squirrels really get the claws working when they're ****ed off
or scared. So, don't put the trap on the car carpet. They claws will damage
it. Get a piece of carpet to protect the vehicle.