Around here, it's the squirrels and chipmunks who eat the corn. They love the stuff. Never tried it, but if it's a real concern, I've heard about this to stop squirrels from eating edible bulbs: plant, then put down chicken wire. Squirrels can't dig through it, but the plants can grow up through it. When they're big enough, you can remove it.

The thought of killing those cute little, playful creatures is very disturbing to me. They really are fun to watch frolicking around the yard and jumping around. My cat loves to watch them. She's an indoor cat, so she is no threat to the squirels. But looking at her, she'd love the chance to chase them In most forums, the idea of killing squirrels is frowned upon. I've had lots of squirel damage, but they've never crossed "the line". In this particular thread, the question of squirels destroying a crop comes up. I certainly encourage everyone to act as they deem best. But for wilson1963 I really have to wonder and I hope you don't mind me asking, what kind of recipes do they have for squirels? Not a lot of meat there. The only way I could think of cooking them is on the barbecue. Not that I'd like to do that. But let me say, when it comes to cooking chicken thighs, the part they sell for real cheap. No one does that better than me. It's really scary how good they turn out.

Luckily for me, my neighbor has an apple tree that they mostly ignore. They also have a hawthorn bush. I have a concord grapevine in my yard but don't really care whether I get any grapes off of it, as well as 3 small fig trees. Squirrels mostly ignore my tomatoes until they eat all the other fruit available to them. Late in the season, before the acorns really start on the neighborhood oak trees, I get some squirrel trouble. Covering the tomatoes with organza bags has worked well for me in that situation. I also cover about a third of my figs for me and leave the rest for the birds and squirrels. It works, even though a squirrel could easily rip through if it wanted. The trick is, if there's plenty else around to eat, even a slight deterrent like netting or gauze can encourage a squirrel to look elsewhere. But if your tomatoes are the only food around, a determined squirrel won't blink twice at overcoming all kinds of barriers. Unfortunately, people tend to consider fruit and nut trees and bushes, especially the less ornamental native kind, to be pest plants that ruin their nice manicured landscaping. So in places where people have cut down those kinds of plants, your garden is the best party going for the squirrels.

I've caught many a skunk in a Hav-a-hart trap. The key thing is put a tarp or blanket on it. As long as it's covered, the skunk won't do anything until you let it out. I've never had a problem with one.