A squirrel ate my baby (pumpkin)!

17 years ago

Okay, those little furry rats known as squirrels are eating the small pumpkins I put on my fenceposts each year. They knock them off the post and gnaw on them.

What can I put on the pumpkin to deter the critters from eating my Halloween decorations?

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Comments (7)

lindac
17 years ago
Put other food out for the squirrels....buy some corn. They will prefer that as it's easier to eat.
Linda c
dedtired
Original Author
17 years ago
There are loads of acorns all around the pumpkins. I don't think the squirrels have any trouble finding food. The pumpkin seeds are just a tasty treat. I wish I could think of something to spray on them that would keep the squirrels from chewing on them. First they knock them off the fence and then they attack them.

Maybe next year I'll resort to plastic pumpkins.
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annie1992
17 years ago
Pam, try some red pepper spray. I buy it for the horses, it's called "Wrap Last", but I'm sure it's available in other applications.

I only say this because I know there is bird seed available commercially that's treated with hot pepper and the squirrels apparently can taste the heat but the birds can't.

Annie
dgkritch
17 years ago
I'm visualizing LIL' mousetraps on top of the fence on either side of the pumpkin.......

OK, not very practical, but it makes a funny mental picture!

Can you put some mothballs near the pumpkins? Maybe that would keep them away.

Deanna

Here is a link that might be useful: Squirrel
lindac
17 years ago
Red pepper spray doesn't work for my squirrels....and of course they prefer pumpkin seeds to acorns...wouldn't you.
but corn is pretty darn OK....try putting some out...I think you will be surprised.
Linda C
caliloo
17 years ago
I second the cayenne pepper spray. I use a tsp mixed into each birdfeeder refill and they will give it a taste, but they dont eat a ton and make the huge mess they used to before I started the pepper routine. I get my squirrel cayenne at the Dollar Store for a large plastic jar. It lasts quite a while and lives in the garage .

Good Luck!

Alexa
stuartwanda
17 years ago
Do you have any old perfume around? Spray your pumpkins with that or try Ammona on them.

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A squirrel ate my baby (pumpkin)!

Comments (7)

lindac

dedtired
Original Author

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annie1992

dgkritch

lindac

caliloo

stuartwanda

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A squirrel ate my baby (pumpkin)!

Comments (7)

lindac

dedtiredOriginal Author

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annie1992

dgkritch

lindac

caliloo

stuartwanda

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dedtired
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