Dang squirrels! Help!

[unclemoustache]

Couple problems here:

1. Squirrels are eating the fruit from our fruit trees. It seems to help when we put flashing around the trunk where they can't climb up, but some trees are near a fence where they can jump.

2. Black walnut tree in my front yard - I'd love to wrap flashing around that trunk, but the branches overlap other trees, and I'd have to wrap every tree and telephone pole in town because of the overlap. They make such a huge mess with those walnuts.

3. Not allowed to fire a weapon that exceeds 750 fps. No pellet/bb/air gun under 750 fps does any damage to a squirrel. Lots of houses nearby, and it's risky if you miss or ricochet.

4. Haven't tried poison yet, but don't know what to do without hurting my daughter's cats.

I managed to trap/eliminate all the raccoons that were troubling us - 6 altogether. But these darn squirrels are really getting numerous now that the neighborhood cat lady passed away.

 

[zogger]

You answered your own question, cats. I had flying squirrels in the yard trees and in my attic. Some cats later gone. Same with rats around the chicken coop. Cats work and are nice pets.

 

[lone wolf]

Couple problems here:

1. Squirrels are eating the fruit from our fruit trees. It seems to help when we put flashing around the trunk where they can't climb up, but some trees are near a fence where they can jump.

2. Black walnut tree in my front yard - I'd love to wrap flashing around that trunk, but the branches overlap other trees, and I'd have to wrap every tree and telephone pole in town because of the overlap. They make such a huge mess with those walnuts.

3. Not allowed to fire a weapon that exceeds 750 fps. No pellet/bb/air gun under 750 fps does any damage to a squirrel. Lots of houses nearby, and it's risky if you miss or ricochet.

4. Haven't tried poison yet, but don't know what to do without hurting my daughter's cats.

I managed to trap/eliminate all the raccoons that were troubling us - 6 altogether. But these darn squirrels are really getting numerous now that the neighborhood cat lady passed away.

Paintball gun the **** out of them.

 

[cigmaker]

CCI quiet .22 rounds 710fps is what I use around the hood.

 

[DFK]

Rat Traps, 2 x 4, and Peanut Butter.
If you got some place where the "Nosey" neighbor cant see....
Then get yourself some Rat Traps from a farm supply store. They work just like Mouse Traps they are just much larger.
Take a 2 x 4 and lean it on the tree at about a 45 degree angle. Attach the Rat Trap to the 2 x 4 ( Trigger Downhill )
and bate with Peanut Butter.

Works like a charm.... Wath out for the nosey neighbor if you have one.

David

 

[brenndatomu]

http://www.unf.edu/~n00665627/images/squirrels_for_launch.gif
Notice the trigger being "activated" right inside the door

 

[lone wolf]

http://www.unf.edu/~n00665627/images/squirrels_for_launch.gif

That is quite entertaining. Be worth a try.

 

[lone wolf]

Paintball gun and a fast dog and you are not using a firearm in town!

 

[Fred Wright]

From what I understand there is no magic spray, powder or anything else to keep away tree rats. If there are no barn cats around, Havahart squirrel traps are probably your best bet.

 

[sunfish]

I'd move if I couldn't fire off guns in the yard! Fried squirrel is mighty good!

 

[olympyk_999]

have you tried cutting the trees down yet???, or maybe implementing round the clock security using your slav...I mean children?
if you go the "children" route I would suggest a minimum of two out there at all times...those squirrels can be pretty sneaky...one squirrel could be a distraction while the other is stealing the fruit

 

[sunfish]

I could eliminate a yard full of squirrels with CCI CB caps. They are quieter than most air guns.

 

[HarvestMan]

Whatever you do, make sure you don't shoot any squirrels named CECIL !

You might try feeding them something else until your fruit is ripe for picking. Squirrels are generally more persistent than humans, so you may end up losing this battle. Good luck.

 

[stihly dan]

I seem to remember a trick using a barrel of water, fill it 80 % put stuff in it that floats like acorns, or peanut butter float, then they drown.

 

[BGE541]

Sling shot and ball bearings... bling bling

 

[CentaurG2]

Beeman/Weihrauch HW97K in .22 cal or a Beeman RX-2 in .25cal will easily do the job and not exceed 750fps. The rx-2 is reported to be difficult to shoot well. The hw97k is easily capable of ¼” groups at 60ft.

I have had good luck with McCormick ground red pepper as a squirrel repellent but I have never tried to use it on a tree. Local squirrels decimate my pear trees every year but I really don’t like pears so they are more than welcome to them. The usually start eating them green. They actually chew them open and eat just the seeds. They usually don’t bother with the apples or plums as the hickory trees are usually in full production. I have never seen them go after the black walnuts until late fall after they hit the ground. They are a pain to rake up so the rodents can have them as well.

You could try the electronic rat zapper type traps. Plenty lethal and might be a better approach than poison.

 

[john taliaferro]

Got squirrels in the attic used gopher bait tosed it up in the attic fan hole . they ate the fan cap screen out ,now its ss .

 

[066blaster]

I use these for moles..use bigger pvc for squirrels. Dump poison in the top,put a cap on it. Cats , dogs, etc shouldn't be able to get at it. I think I would use a rat trap or live trap for a squirrel. Then you know you got him.

 

[Stihlofadeal64]

http://www.unf.edu/~n00665627/images/squirrels_for_launch.gif
Notice the trigger being "activated" right inside the door

 

[lone wolf]

Funny stuff.