You'll have to trap them.

My experience with squirrels is that often it's one individual causing the problem - although they can pass the troublesome behavior on to their offspring. A squirrel that takes a notion to a particular crop just won't give up on it, but get rid of that squirrel and the other might not bother it.

I've never had them in my strawberries, forex, but a few years ago there was one that got every ear of my corn. That winter, we had a squirrel-hunting coyote around. Not had that problem again.

If it's one squirrel and you trap it, you may solve your problem.

Hi, Are you sure its a squirrel? I have watched chipmunks eat the green strawberries. I think they are worse than squirrels because they fill up their cheeks and go store that away and come back for more. Rat traps from HomeDepot can take out a squirrel. I used a new plastic trap that HD has that you just set with your foot that I caught the chipmunks with. HD also has some small plastic tubes that you can fill with water 3/4 of the way and float something on the surface and put seed on it. They will jump in and drown or a trash can filled with water and peanut butter around the inside just out of reach so they fall in. I've tried the Havahart traps put they just keep coming and its illegal to transport wildlife so you could get fined if you get caught. I talked to a guy in the trap isle and he spray painted the tail of a squirrel he caught and moved 3 miles away and it came back. The fact is you have to take them out or just plant grass.

Hi MrsG47-
Welcome to a fellow Rhode Islander. I'm in Wakefield. I agree with tmc2009. For me, it's the chimpmunks who eat all my strawberries. Often they don't eat the whole strawberry, but rather just take a nip out of the side of one so it's unappealing to us. I've tried using cages, but they just tunnel underneath. Next year, I'll be making a raised bed with a cage on top that they won't be able to go under. For chipmunks, I've found the plastic rat traps with almonds are irresistible to them. I'm also deadly with my $33 Walmart .177 pelet gun, that I just added a beautiful $40 scope to. I've got no problem taking out the buggers at 150 feet. If it really is a squirrel, then you could probably get an air powered 22 that would be legal to shoot.
Good luck, -Glenn

I feel your pain. The squirrels have picked my first 3 peach trees completely. Fortunately no firearm restriction here but I guess I should wait until the season comes in. I'm threatening the dog with tying him up under the trees but so far I've not resorted to that.

Traps would be ok if you've got somewhere to relocate them. Since you are on an island the mainland may be far enough that they wont come back.

Air rifles are a good alternative if you can use those. 50 yards for a walmart gun is pretty impressive. I suspect most of us can't do that. Also these are on the light side for squirrels if you can't hit them in the head. Something in .22 caliber can be had for under $100 that would work.

To be clear, I'm using my house to steady the the pellet gun for those longs shots... and the new scope makes all the difference.

Agreed. You'd at least want a .22 to bring down a squirrel. Until I recently went to buy new pellets, I didn't even realize that they made air powered 22's. The two that I saw at the gun store were close to $200 though.

Yes, squirrels are known have a fondness for peaches. Somehow they haven't bothered my dwarf peach bush yet, but I'm not sure why.

I know that many towns have ordinances on relocating pest animals. For example, this article from the DEM says that relocating woodchucks is illegal in RI. But, yet this article (also from the RI DEM) says that the woodchuck is technically a squirrel, and relocation of squirrels is permitted, but not recommended.

Again though, my guess is that your problem is with chipmunks. We've had a plague of them this year. At my house, living under the foundation, digging up the lawns, living in the garage, living in the hose reals, eating all my strawberries, eating all my raspberries, eating through my hoses. Enough is enough. But, it's not just me. The local hardware store and ammo shop said this year is like none other they've seen for chipmunk problems.

Good luck,
-Glenn

Thanks all. We are not allowed to shoot a gun on Aquidneck Island. If I did, I'd have a lot of press in the newspapers! Trapping is the way I have to go. It is just one squirrel! Nasty thing? They're all horrible. We have no chipmunks here. I should bite my tongue. I saw the big furry mess and just missed him with a short two by four! Mrs. G

I bought a redhaven peach and put it in a barrel last year and was looking forward to the peaches when of all things a bluejay liked them. I couldn't figure out was was taking bites out of them until I saw him silently swoop in and peck at them. I think the bright red blush attracts them. I'll have to put a net over them this year. I have the same Walmart .177 and have taken out alot of squirrels. Where do you get the scope? I miss more often then I hit.

I use a $450.00 .177 and a $300.00 scope to shoot squirrels. well maybe I bought it for the gun club shoots, where if you miss a dime size ring one time in 30 you are out. I also have a $4000.00 .308 with a $900.00 scope for the 1000 yard comp.I have won the gun club shoots 2 times in 10 years (120 shoots) but my garden protection is one shot one kill.

"MrsG47"
You say you cannot shoot guns in your neck of the woods? Air guns make so little noise I doubt anyone off your property would even hear it. Go for it.
I bought a .177 with scope and it's reduced the population in our area by 7 just this week!