Feed them. They need to eat too, and we're the ones who have ruined their habitat. My squirrels raid the bird feeders, but that's OK with me. There's plenty. I even put out some corn for them. We've got lots of pecan trees in our neighborhood, and I do get tired of pulling up the seedling every year, but, they probably get tired of me letting the dog out to go to the bathroom! We have to co-exist.

Feeding squirrels is not a solution to me; indeed, their easy living in my pecan-filled yard only increases their numbers. Feeding squirrels to prevent their destructiveness seems to me to be akin to leaving the DVD player out on the front steps to prevent theft.

Several years ago I learned a squirrel preventative from a Garden Webber that works for me: surround what you want to protect with shish kabob sticks, pointy end up. Be careful, though, they're sharp! I have skewered myself a time or two.

They love to dump plants and dirt out of every container.

And even the experts don't give us much help...or hope!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Here is a link that might be useful: Bill Scheick in Austin Statesman

There's so much more I could say, but I think I'll just let this thread (hopefully) die.

My favorite response to squirrel range wars came from Neil Sperry. He told a caller that the caller's life would be much happier if he just learned to live with them rather than fight them.

I wonder if the winter will be colder. They really seem to want to put on weight this year.

Personally, I really like them, my husband is recovering from a big stroke and their playful antics give us great joy. Animals are truly in the moment. The ability to watch them and share seed and nuts with them is innately healing if you are the type of person who loves life and invites it in.

I feed them too and my gardens are un-molested. I guess it's all in your attitude toward them âº

Pam

One thing learned this year is that if I put a single layer of lava rock on top of the soil of potted plants the squirrels won't dig in them.

Get a pellet gun and be covert. They don't bother me anymore.

Paprika? You need Cayenne. Sprinkle it on the soil and re apply after watering.
Another thing that has worked for me in my potted plants is screening - small pieces on top the soil.

Shoot them.

Learn to co-exist. Humans really need to gain some empathy with other creatures.

I finally have squirrels! I didn't have mature shade trees so they didn't visit my last house very often.
Strangely enough I garden to attract wildlife for about 90% of my garden. I have a mostly Tx native,xeriscape wildlife garden. I have water (fountain and birdbath),berries and grasses. I do not have seed or foods that would attract rats. The birds and squirrels don't bother the plants that are ornamental hybrids. I'm not growing fruit or veggies yet so I can't say on that. In my last wildlife garden nothing bothered my fruit or vegies,not even the bugs. PJ

Much like their ancestor's have done, since they woke up many years ago and exclaimed "humans again... argh!," I suggest that you go about taunting them.

;-)

If only they tasted like chicken.

I'll trade you a healthy group of armadillos for your squirrels. The squirrels have never rooted up my beds and lawn like the dillos have.

Well I feed mine they get fresh pecans that friends gives to us and have one squirrel that will come up to you and jabbers for a good while if yoy don't put out pecans in her favorite spot, will not let you touch her but lets you know that you are falling behind on your job, they don't bother the few plants I have, the frogs on the other hand!

Oops, didn't mean to stir up any arguments, but then again, I did post this on election day. I should of known better, sorry all!

I am not just talking about 5 or 10 squirrels. This year is BAD. It's like a hundred, every morning, and I my property is 1/5 of an acre. Some friends run a co-op organic farm here and they said it is insane this year. My neighbor thinks that this is because there were so many pecans last year; they all got fat and happy and reproduced more than usual. And now the babies are back and hungry. Alas I am one tiny city garden and I cannot support an entire nation.

My husband and I are animal lovers, sometimes to a fault, and I am taking lots of joy from seeing more and more animals and wildlife finding our city yard a safe haven. But I don't think my dogs are cute when they dig craters in my yard.

Annie, thanks for the article!! I feel I am not alone.

Cynthia, interesting about it potentially being colder. They do look as if they are trying to eat more.

Debndal, my frustration is more at the hundreds of torn up plants everywhere than the squirrels, understandably ;) I did a major landscape rehaul this summer so I have considerable time, money and energy invested in my garden at the moment.

They have plenty to eat around here. I leave pecans out everywhere, seeds, even left bowls of water all over my yard because I read somewhere (Neil Sperry?) they get thirsty and that's why they dig.

Thanks for the sympathy ;)

I don't know if it would work outside, but the Victor electronic sound thing keeps rats out of our attic. Might work outside. It only bothers rodents. Got ours at Lowes.

I had some good luck with bloodmeal in pots. squirrels only dig down a couple of inches. I see them dig up another squirrel's nuts and replant them. Water is a big thing.

I've literally left out tulips and crocus to see if the squirrels would eat them and they left them alone. Ours are foolishly planting shelled pecans but eating loads!

Here is a link that might be useful: Victor

Feeding squirrels fresh shelled pecans? Really? There was, and there may be, a time when one must set empathy aside and ask, "who is going to enjoy the fruits of may labor, me or the squirrel?" Soon thereafter, the time may come when you might have to eat said squirrel. If you can get along with them now, fine, but killing them is the only way to get rid of them.

I have a cat that showed up and won't go away. I have seen him kill and eat completely at least two squirrels. All that was left was the tip of the tail and some guts. This morning, I almost stepped in a pile of guts on my back door mat. By the bit of fur that was left, it was a rabbit and maybe not a wild one. Maybe you want to drive up here and get this cat. He's tame, don't know much else about him.

HOLY MOLY!!! A HUNDRED SQUIRRELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That explains why I didn't have any at the last house.They were with you! That's a ton of squirrels. They must just love your place. I feel sorry for you. I thought it was kind of wierd for them to attack your plants. PJ

Holy Moly is right! You have a population explosion! This is why we have deer season. Maybe you could trap and relocate some to a squirrel lover's haven? :-)

Chicken fried squirrel is good.

I can take 2 dozen ⺠Mine are nowhere near as numerous as yours even though I live near a forest!

Pam