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OT Annoying squirrel
We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to
get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? Thanks Graham |
"Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? Thanks Graham Either sleeping pills or get up and enjoy the morning. Mary |
Simple solution, Pepper, lots of it the little rascals do not like it.
Bob "Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? Thanks Graham |
On Tue, 3 May 2005 22:00:09 +0100, "Mary Fisher"
wrote: "Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? Thanks Graham Either sleeping pills or get up and enjoy the morning. Not forgetting to plug the hole pretty quick before he gets too cozy. |
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"Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? I suggest you try and discover his means of access to your roof space, and then have it blocked off. Further, you might consider stopping putting out food they like to eat, which, obviously, attracts them to your property. |
On Wed, 4 May 2005 09:18:44 +0100, "BAC"
wrote: "Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? I suggest you try and discover his means of access to your roof space, and then have it blocked off. Further, you might consider stopping putting out food they like to eat, which, obviously, attracts them to your property. How does he know its Squirrels? we have scratching and very loud at times but this is from the nesting starlings. |
You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are
vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. John |
On 4 May 2005 02:51:41 -0700, "John Edgar"
wrote: You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Brain dead tosser. |
The message .com
from "John Edgar" contains these words: Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. Squirrels in the roofspace are a well-known fire hazard for this reason. In the event of a fire, and your insurance company finds out you haven't made efforts to bar entry, you might find yourself in financial difficulties to say the least. My solution would be a marksman with a decent air rifle. I can provide an excellent squirrel pie recipe... -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
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"Jim" wrote in message ... On Wed, 4 May 2005 09:18:44 +0100, "BAC" wrote: "Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? I suggest you try and discover his means of access to your roof space, and then have it blocked off. Further, you might consider stopping putting out food they like to eat, which, obviously, attracts them to your property. How does he know its Squirrels? we have scratching and very loud at times but this is from the nesting starlings. I don't know how he knows it's squirrels. Perhaps he's been up there and had a look? If in doubt, he could rig up a surveillance camera and IR activated light to see what is moving about - and how/where it gets in. |
"John Edgar" wrote in message oups.com... You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. Killing them off without blocking up the access still leaves the access available for any squirrel size or smaller visitors. Blocking the access, if feasible, probably renders killing them off superfluous. |
"Jaques d'Alltrades" wrote in message k... The message .com from "John Edgar" contains these words: Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. Squirrels in the roofspace are a well-known fire hazard for this reason. In the event of a fire, and your insurance company finds out you haven't made efforts to bar entry, you might find yourself in financial difficulties to say the least. My solution would be a marksman with a decent air rifle. I can provide an excellent squirrel pie recipe... The official advice for dealing with squirrels in the roof space is at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ rds/publications/technical/TAN_09.pdf , if it has wrapped. Basically, it's to live trap them and then kill by bashing them over the head in a sack or shooting them in the trap (since it's illegal to release a squirrel once trapped, if you care about such things) and then to secure the space by blocking off the access routes. Another interesting source is www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wildbuildings/ html/documents/pdf/wabman.pdf which is Wildlife and Buildings - Technical guidance for Architects. That covers nearly all types of wildlife likely to be encountered here. I've often seen it mooted that squirrels in the roof space are a fire risk, since they might gnaw through electrical insulation or plastic pipes, and I guess the possibility cannot be ruled out, but I don't recall seeing that many accounts of fires occurring where it was proved that actually was the cause. |
John Edgar wrote:
You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. It does get expensive. I have recently replaced all the wiring in a loft in a semi-detached house. It was nibbled bare in many places, and a flex to a loft light had been gnawed through. The loft insulation had been tunnelled into, raked about, and was covered in squirrel excrement and urine. Some joists (2"x4") had been chewed badly, about 30% of their cross-sectional area having been removed. The loft hatch had apparently been a favoured spot for urination, and the white gloss paint had bubbled off along one side. The owner had previously re-wired and installed new loft insulation after the same problem. I've never heard a way to deter them that works. If you can find out how they're getting in, stop up the way, but you may well find that disposing of the individual that's found its way in is best as they are persistent little osds and will try to re-open their route in. Try a Fenn trap (Mk IV). Follow the instructions. They're about a tenner each to buy. You can get them at good fishing/sports shops, or on the 'Net, eg: http://www.vespestcontrol.co.uk/fenn.html http://www.euroguns.co.uk/acatalog/Fenn_traps.html Bacon rind tied around the plate is good bait. Mind your fingers when you set them, they are a bit vicious (don't put your fingers near a live squirrel, either!). Make sure you inspect the trap at least twice a day for humanitarian reasons. Also, make sure you fasten the chain on the trap down so it can't be dragged away into the eaves. Otherwise, a "live trap" is useful (use maize for bait) - when you've caught a squirrel, dunk the trap and contents into a water butt. It's illegal to release a caught squirrel elsewhere. You can use poison bait, but you'll only be able to buy rat bait, and there's so much else for a squirrel to eat in an urban environment that it's hard to get them to eat it (although they will eat PVC cable insulation - "go figure"). You could also use an air rifle, and as it's one of the breeding times for squirrels at the moment, if you see a drey being built, knock it down with a long pole. The next-door neighbour in the semi. above bought a "live" trap, and disposed of one. He also got two with an air rifle, although they were outside, and may not have been the culprits. I got one in the loft I re-wired, and the resident there is now much happier and safer (fire/shock hazard from wires). They were getting in through a gap in the soffit, climbing straight up the external corner of the house! |
On Wed, 04 May 2005 14:24:14 +0100, Chris Bacon
wrote: John Edgar wrote: You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. It does get expensive. I have recently replaced all the wiring in a loft in a semi-detached house. It was nibbled bare in many places, and a flex to a loft light had been gnawed through. The loft insulation had been tunnelled into, raked about, and was covered in squirrel excrement and urine. Some joists (2"x4") had been chewed badly, about 30% of their cross-sectional area having been removed. The loft hatch had apparently been a favoured spot for urination, and the white gloss paint had bubbled off along one side. The owner had previously re-wired and installed new loft insulation after the same problem. I've never heard a way to deter them that works. If you can find out how they're getting in, stop up the way, but you may well find that disposing of the individual that's found its way in is best as they are persistent little osds and will try to re-open their route in. Try a Fenn trap (Mk IV). Follow the instructions. They're about a tenner each to buy. You can get them at good fishing/sports shops, or on the 'Net, eg: http://www.vespestcontrol.co.uk/fenn.html http://www.euroguns.co.uk/acatalog/Fenn_traps.html Bacon rind tied around the plate is good bait. Mind your fingers when you set them, they are a bit vicious (don't put your fingers near a live squirrel, either!). Make sure you inspect the trap at least twice a day for humanitarian reasons. Also, make sure you fasten the chain on the trap down so it can't be dragged away into the eaves. Otherwise, a "live trap" is useful (use maize for bait) - when you've caught a squirrel, dunk the trap and contents into a water butt. It's illegal to release a caught squirrel elsewhere. You can use poison bait, but you'll only be able to buy rat bait, and there's so much else for a squirrel to eat in an urban environment that it's hard to get them to eat it (although they will eat PVC cable insulation - "go figure"). You could also use an air rifle, and as it's one of the breeding times for squirrels at the moment, if you see a drey being built, knock it down with a long pole. The next-door neighbour in the semi. above bought a "live" trap, and disposed of one. He also got two with an air rifle, although they were outside, and may not have been the culprits. I got one in the loft I re-wired, and the resident there is now much happier and safer (fire/shock hazard from wires). They were getting in through a gap in the soffit, climbing straight up the external corner of the house! And you could just block the entrance! remind me not to get you to do any work. Where did you park your horse? *******. It's easy to deter squirrels as with any other vermin by getting off your arse and finding where they get in, blocking the holes and or using cresote soaked rags to stink the loft out. |
Jim wrote:
Chris Bacon wrote: John Edgar wrote: You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. I've never heard a way to deter them that works. If you can find out how they're getting in, stop up the way, but you may well find that disposing of the individual that's found its way in is best as they are persistent little osds and will try to re-open their route in. And you could just block the entrance! remind me not to get you to do any work. Where did you park your horse? Hi, "Jim", I mentioned blocking the entrance - see above. Please read more thoroughly. *******. Abuse will gather you no friends. It's easy to deter squirrels as with any other vermin by getting off your arse and finding where they get in, blocking the holes and or using cresote soaked rags to stink the loft out. I do not think that using creosote soaked rags in the loft is a good idea, because a) it's illegal, b) It's hazardous, c) Most people do not like the pervasive smell in their houses. It is often useful to control squirrels. They do damage in the garden, as well. Beech is vulnerable to bark stripping, as is oak, spanish chestnut, sycamore and so on. They dig up bulbs. They prey on birds. They dig holes all over the lawn to bury hazelnuts. I'm not saying that everyone should immediately engage in systematic destruction of these animals. Sometimes it is useful, though. HTH. |
On Wed, 04 May 2005 17:07:00 +0100, Chris Bacon
wrote: Jim wrote: Chris Bacon wrote: John Edgar wrote: You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. I've never heard a way to deter them that works. If you can find out how they're getting in, stop up the way, but you may well find that disposing of the individual that's found its way in is best as they are persistent little osds and will try to re-open their route in. And you could just block the entrance! remind me not to get you to do any work. Where did you park your horse? Hi, "Jim", I mentioned blocking the entrance - see above. Please read more thoroughly. *******. Abuse will gather you no friends. It's easy to deter squirrels as with any other vermin by getting off your arse and finding where they get in, blocking the holes and or using cresote soaked rags to stink the loft out. I do not think that using creosote soaked rags in the loft is a good idea, because a) it's illegal, b) It's hazardous, c) Most people do not like the pervasive smell in their houses. It is often useful to control squirrels. They do damage in the garden, as well. Beech is vulnerable to bark stripping, as is oak, spanish chestnut, sycamore and so on. They dig up bulbs. They prey on birds. They dig holes all over the lawn to bury hazelnuts. I'm not saying that everyone should immediately engage in systematic destruction of these animals. Sometimes it is useful, though. HTH. Not if you're a squirrel |
In article ,
(BAC) wrote: Blocking the access, if feasible, probably renders killing them off superfluous. In theory, yes. In practice, if denied access to a home they like, they will make a new access. I had some get in via a loose tile and when that was fixed, they chewed a new entry in a fascia board within a month. I applied wire mesh several feet either side of the new entry, trapped and killed 3 of them. That was a couple of years ago. So far, so good. Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/ |
On Wed, 4 May 2005 16:33:02 +0100, Janet Baraclough
wrote: The message from Jaques d'Alltrades contains these words: Squirrels in the roofspace are a well-known fire hazard for this reason. In the event of a fire, and your insurance company finds out you haven't made efforts to bar entry, you might find yourself in financial difficulties to say the least. If the insurance assessor notices any of those creosote-soaked rags another poster suggested putting in the attic, will he even care about squirrels? Janet. OK pepper spray then? |
You are vile.
Clare "John Edgar" wrote in message oups.com... You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. John |
"Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? Get a Rat/Mink trap from Mole Valley Farmers, cover it with plastic, when the squirel is trapped, kill it in whatever way you think is 'humane', problem solved. -- alan reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net |
"Jim" wrote in message ... On 4 May 2005 02:51:41 -0700, "John Edgar" wrote: You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Brain dead tosser. Pot calling the kettle black! The tosser is you. |
"BAC" wrote in message ... "Jaques d'Alltrades" wrote in message k... The message .com from "John Edgar" contains these words: Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. Squirrels in the roofspace are a well-known fire hazard for this reason. In the event of a fire, and your insurance company finds out you haven't made efforts to bar entry, you might find yourself in financial difficulties to say the least. My solution would be a marksman with a decent air rifle. I can provide an excellent squirrel pie recipe... The official advice for dealing with squirrels in the roof space is at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ rds/publications/technical/TAN_09.pdf , if it has wrapped. Basically, it's to live trap them and then kill by bashing them over the head in a sack or shooting them in the trap Drowning is very quick, it would be dangerous to attempt to get them into a sack, as that would require opening the cage, which, if you have ever seen one close up, you would not wish to get that close to. |
"batgirl" wrote in message ... You are vile. What is vile about trying to dispose of vermin? Clare "John Edgar" wrote in message oups.com... You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. John |
Mary Fisher wrote:
"Graham Daniels" wrote in message ... We have a grey squirrel which regulalrly comes to the bird table trying to get at the fat balls and peanuts, usually unsuccessfully. However, the litte rascal has now found it's way under our roof tiles in to the attic and pays a visit at about 4 am every morning. It can be heard scratching away in the attic - waking us up in the process. Any suggestions for a (humane) solution? Thanks Graham Either sleeping pills or get up and enjoy the morning. .....or stay in bed and enjoy the morning (;-) pk |
"Alan Holmes" wrote in message ... Drowning is very quick, how the hell do you figure that out? Drowning is slow and bloody cruel and possibly illegal as a method of killling the thing. it would be dangerous to attempt to get them into a sack, as that would require opening the cage, which, if you have ever seen one close up, you would not wish to get that close to. Ya big wimp. I have been close up to them, in Canada where I fed them from my hand every morning, and over here where a rescue sanctuary had one in a large aviary. |
"Chris Bacon" wrote in message ... John Edgar wrote: You do not need to be humane, but maleficent in the extreme. They are vermin and will do untold damage in your roof. They may look like charming rascals, but they are more like monsters. Put some poison in your roof space. That gets rid of them. You do not ned the female giving birth up there, because the whole family will keep coming back and they are extremely persistent. You need to kill them all quickly. If you do not get rid of them, they will eat through electric wiring. It all gets very expensive. It does get expensive. I have recently replaced all the wiring in a loft in a semi-detached house. It was nibbled bare in many places, and a flex to a loft light had been gnawed through. The loft insulation had been tunnelled into, raked about, and was covered in squirrel excrement and urine. Some joists (2"x4") had been chewed badly, about 30% of their cross-sectional area having been removed. The loft hatch had apparently been a favoured spot for urination, and the white gloss paint had bubbled off along one side. The owner had previously re-wired and installed new loft insulation after the same problem. I've never heard a way to deter them that works. If you can find out how they're getting in, stop up the way, but you may well find that disposing of the individual that's found its way in is best as they are persistent little osds and will try to re-open their route in. Try a Fenn trap (Mk IV). Follow the instructions. They're about a tenner each to buy. You can get them at good fishing/sports shops, or on the 'Net, eg: http://www.vespestcontrol.co.uk/fenn.html http://www.euroguns.co.uk/acatalog/Fenn_traps.html Bacon rind tied around the plate is good bait. Mind your fingers when you set them, they are a bit vicious (don't put your fingers near a live squirrel, either!). Make sure you inspect the trap at least twice a day for humanitarian reasons. Also, make sure you fasten the chain on the trap down so it can't be dragged away into the eaves. Otherwise, a "live trap" is useful (use maize for bait) - when you've caught a squirrel, dunk the trap and contents into a water butt. It's illegal to release a caught squirrel elsewhere. I am sorry but the thought of any creature struggling to breath for several minutes while underwater turns my stomach. I nearly drowned as a youngster and it was not pleasant and certainly not fast. The memory has never left me and I would never advocate using this bloody inhumane method of killing anything. |
The message
from "pammyT" contains these words: I am sorry but the thought of any creature struggling to breath for several minutes while underwater turns my stomach. I nearly drowned as a youngster and it was not pleasant and certainly not fast. The memory has never left me and I would never advocate using this bloody inhumane method of killing anything. Much as I dislike grey squirrels (except in a pie or casserole) I have to agree with the above. I rescued some sort of fly from rainwater in a container, yesterday as it struggled to get a grip on the plastic sides. Any squirrels I kill depart suddenly, with a ·22" hole in the head. -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
In what way is it illegal to kill vermin by drowning them? One of the
best ways I would have thought. I believe it is illegal to drown humans, but grey squirrels? John |
"John Edgar" wrote in message ups.com... In what way is it illegal to kill vermin by drowning them? One of the best ways I would have thought. I believe it is illegal to drown humans, but grey squirrels? It was technically made illegal by virtue of the Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996 which included drowning amongst the list of abuses outlawed from 30th April 1997. I don't know whether the RSPCA has actually brought charges against anyone for drowning a wild mammal, though, or if they have, whether the perpetrator was convicted. |
Please explain the use of the word "tosser" in this context
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Are squirrels even aware that they are being systematically destroyed?
I think not so who cares? |
How would they find out? Another unworkable law like the law making use
of mobiles while driving illegal. Who cares about abuse of vermin like grey squirrels anyway? |
Why am I vile for wanting to kill vermin? I might be considered vile if
I wanted to kill another human, but vermin? What is so special about grey squirrels? Please explain your point of view. |
How can it be inhumane? We are not dealing with humans, but animals and
vermin at that. |
"John Edgar" wrote in message oups.com... Please explain the use of the word "tosser" in this context What context? You've snipped it all. |
"John Edgar" wrote in message oups.com... How would they find out? Another unworkable law like the law making use of mobiles while driving illegal. Who cares about abuse of vermin like grey squirrels anyway? How would who find out what? Whilst many people accept the necessity of pest control, that doesn't mean they would condone wanton cruelty to the 'pest'. Would you think it OK to kill squirrels by roasting them alive over a slow fire, for example? |
"John Edgar" wrote in message oups.com... How can it be inhumane? We are not dealing with humans, but animals and vermin at that. I'm assuming you are responding to a post which suggested that killing squirrels by drowning might be considered inhumane? Do you believe it is impossible to be inhumane to any non-human animal? If so, how would you define 'humane'? |
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