Awww! and Aaarrrggghh! I understand your conflicting feelings about this discovery. If your goal is to non-violently get them to move on to greener pastures (and out of your patio furniture!) I have an idea: Squirrels really don't care for the smell of mothballs. Just scattering them won't work because a determined momma would just push them off your deck, but if you were to fill some stockings with several handfuls, and hang the odoriferous bags full in close proximity to the nursery (maybe using those shepherds crooks that clamp on to deck rails?), you could probably get them to move on in short order.

Personally, I'd have to do this because Jazmyn has proven herself able to catch adult squirrels, and Izzy would clean out the babies in a heartbeat, and I wouldn't be able to stand the sight or sound of it...

Just what you did. It amazes me how nature adapts. I am not up much on 'city squirrels', they have to live a little differently than country squirrels and a sofa cushion would not be their nest of choice.

The babies usually leave the nest anywhere from six to ten weeks after birth. Mothers sometimes move them if they think they are threatened, and with increased activity on your terrace in spring, may do that. It's illegal in most statest to harm them, although it's quite legal to hunt them (in season and with a license). Go figure.

I can't speak for you. I know I'd leave them alone if it were me, but I am such a sucker for the wildlings there should be big S tattooed on my forehead.

There were never squirrels here till this last year. Now the drought has brought them into many of the neighborhoods around and I am finding their nests in a lot of the trees I trim. The bag we put out for the gold finch thistle seed was ripped open (hanging on a shepherds hook) so their popularity is diminishing. Hopefully the coopers hawk will scare them away.

Your situation is difficult, cuteness and babes vs. destruction and other problems. Things are getting out of balance.

I'd have to leave them, but then I'd get such a kick out of watching them explore and play...after all, I'd figure the damage to cushions was already done. It would be hard for me not to feed them but I know your dilemna...there were kittens born behind my garage one year but I didn't feed Momma cat...didn't know if feral or neighbor's but didn't want to adopt. Shortly after first sighting them, they moved on...perhaps Momma moved them and perhaps that wiill happen with your squirrels. I'd give it a day or two before I tried shooing them away if that's your decision. I can certainly understand the joy you must take in having a balcony and "squatters" would be a nuisance...lol josh

Squirrels are a menace.
Squirrels are nasty.
Squirrels are destructive.
Squirrels rob bird feeders.
Squirrels get in the attic and cause havoc with wiring.
Squirrels are nothing more than rats with long tails.

Slap that big S on my forehead, too.
I've bottle fed babies whose nest were destroyed by hurricanes.
I've put water out in droughts.
I keep corn cobs on squirrel feeders.
I've taken injured ones to the environmental center.

Personally, I would enjoy every minute you're priviledged to have them on your deck and 'let nature take it's course.'

I don't much like the tree rats either, but faced with a family that's settled in & cushions that are already ruined, I'd probably let them be.

I checked today and the nest was empty. No evidence of any squirrel of any size. I guess mother squirrel decided this wasn't such a good neighborhood after all and moved her pups; at least I hope so. Now I have to replace some couch cushions, and I think I've learned my lesson and will take them inside in the fall.

I suspect Momma just decided to move house...she has to be pretty resourceful to survive. Thanks for the update and let us know if you see them again...they'll be foraging for food on their own soon and might return to their old 'hood...lol josh

I guess mom knows best & decided she needed to move her pups away from too many humans near by. At least your cushions gave them a cozy start to life.