Too Many Squirrels

rayne · 01-30-2012, 03:03 PM

I just read Alpha Male's thread about crazy squirrels and concur with him. I try to keep birdseed in the feeders around my house and there are so many squirrels that the poor birds don't have a chance. I'd like to turn some kids loose on them with 22's but I'm afraid they would hit the house or worse. Any suggestions?

Grandpa · 01-30-2012, 04:02 PM

My dear mother in law used to feed the squirrels peanuts. I walked in the kitchen, saw a bag of peanuts and got a scotch blessing because they were for the squirrels. Feeding the squirrels came to a big halt when she found out what was making the strange noise in the attic.

Lamebeaver · 01-30-2012, 09:09 PM

Get some tin or aluminum and make a pan on the post just below the bird feeder, or if your feeder is hanging from a branch, tie a know in the rope and put the tin above it.

jason · 01-31-2012, 08:50 AM

Are you looking for suggestions on squirrel removal or help with the bird feeders? For squirrel removal my friend is having a problem. The squirrels are eating wires in his truck. He does not feed the squirrels and has no idea why they started eating his wires, but the mechanic said he is seeing a bit of damage from squirrels lately. He has tried rat poison, but found out it works by thinning the blood. If the squirrel stops eating the poison, the blood can recover. He has tried sticky traps, but that has not worked either. His best results is a pellet gun. Now this came with three problems. First his BB was not powerful enough, it is old like my daisy's and they BBs bounce off the fur. So I lent him one of my newer pellet/bb guns. Second, the one he borrowed is a pump, and the squirrels have learned when they hear that sound to hide. He now pumps up the gun inside, and since his door is open with the nice weather he does not have to worry about the sound of the door opening either. Third. While using normal pellets, most of the time it was just slowing the squirrels down enough where he can get up close and put one behind the head. So I bought him these . Since then he has managed to drop a couple with one good well placed shot.

ChadTower · 01-31-2012, 08:57 AM

Squirrel catapults are amazingly effective and the funniest thing you will ever see.

rayne · 01-31-2012, 10:06 AM

Lamebeaver, the conical piece of tin below the birdfeeder was my last effort to keep the squirrels at bay. I saw one of the little stinkers jump from the birdbath, some 6 ft. away, to the feeder and not even break a sweat. I have now moved the bird bath and am waiting to see what they will try next.
Jason, I would really like to get rid of some of the squirrels but live next to a wooded area so I am fairly sure that would be impossible. I do remember my mom making some awfully good squirrel stew when I was a kid though.

Pathfinder1 · 02-03-2012, 08:03 PM

Hi...

I've got a 4" X 4" X 14" clear plastic vertical feeder hanging from a hook on my porch. It has three feeding stations on the front and on the back. Every so often...especially lately...a grey squirrel will look longingly at it and attempt to reach it.

Most of their more serious attempts end up with a "thud" as they fall onto the porch floor in failure. Yet, every once in a while, they will actually be acrobatic enough to jump and reach the top of the feeder, then hang on to the swinging feeder for dear life.

Then, with rear paws secureing it to the top of the feeder, hang down to reach one of the feeding openings and actually scoop out some black sunflower seeds.

Remarkable critters...they don't always give up so easily.

Pathfinder1 · 02-03-2012, 08:08 PM

Hi...

PS...Around here, bird feeders are a big attraction to the black bears, also. And you think the squirrels are bad??

ppine · 02-09-2012, 11:29 AM

Keep your dogs outside more. Get a cat. Cones on the feeder poles. Target practice if it is safe.