A squirrel ate my baby (pumpkin)!

14 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?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

lindac
14 years ago
Put other food out for the squirrels....buy some corn. They will prefer that as it's easier to eat.
Linda c
0
dedtired
Original Author
14 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.
0
Related Discussions
Who ate all my ripe cherry tomatoes?
Q
Comments (5)
Thanks all. conchita.......I hadn't thought of that! I think I'll try that. Actually......I had a female cardinal hit my window (on purpose) from 6a.m.-9p.m. every day. It drove me nuts. I got my fake owl (which was in my shed with my golf cart, hoping to scare away the mice that chewed the wires)........and put it on a stick and positioned it in front of the window. Worked like a charm! I think she was more scared of it than the mice get though. Oh, yes..I was saying.........I was thinking of putting it by my cherry tomatoes, to see if that would work. But I have the feeling I'll be picking the tomatoes early.
...See More
Squirrels...Squirrels...SQUIRRELS!!!
Q
Comments (5)
I have squirrel problems too. One thing that has been pretty good for me are white fabric hairnets, also called bouffant caps - the kind they use in clean rooms. I'll use a larger round pot and plant several seeds about 1" apart or whatever in it. I also top off with chicken grit if I think the seedling can compete with it. Then I stick a chop stick in the middle, put the hairnet over it (they are reusable BTW and last from year to year). Then I put a rubber band around that. It doesn't heat up like plastic, it lets the rain in and keeps the seedlings from drying out, keeps them from being crushed by water, keeps them from scorching in full sun. You can also water through them. Open it up once and a while for circulation if it's particularly damp out for a few weeks. The hairnets will stay on without the rubberbands but animals might take them to make their nests. Here is a link for this type of cap, though I am not sure what brand I have. Here is a link that might be useful: Bouffant Caps
...See More
Idea for protecting baby birds and new canes from squirrels
Q
Comments (14)
Squirrels will kill adult birds at feeders also. When I lived around them I had squirrel baffles on the poles and all my feeders had grids. My platform feeder had a 1" grid over it also to keep out the starlings and cowbirds that bully the song birds. Keeping the feeders and birdhouses quite far from fences and trees helps also. Squirrels can jump really far. I have a friend who calls them flying rats. I also had a clear dome over one niger feeder. It's a lot of paraphernalia but I felt like I had to protect them if I was going to lure birds to the feeders. Here we have trouble with hawks that sit on the fence and wait for the quail and small birds to get distracted. There's kind of a downside to feeders and bird baths I guess. Birdhouses are easier to protect. Sounds like you have a good plan for the houses. So nice that you are looking out for the babies.
...See More
Red Squirrel ate 3 of my bluebird babies
Q
Comments (1)
Hello Justin, Sorry to hear about your loss but glad they are renesting. We all learn from our mistakes and hopefully nothing happens to your blues this time. Snakes, Raccoons, Squirrels, and large birds are all dangerous to baby birds. I would like to invite you to share your story and join the bluebird nut cafe and we will provide you with all you need to know about these birds. It is way more active and you will get fast answers to your questions. Hope to see you there. http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/
...See More
annie1992
14 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
0
dgkritch
14 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
0
lindac
14 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
0
caliloo
14 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
0
stuartwanda
14 years ago
Do you have any old perfume around? Spray your pumpkins with that or try Ammona on them.
0

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN 16 Scrumptious Eat-In Kitchens and What They Want You to Serve

By Becky Harris

Whether apple-pie cheerful or champagne sophisticated, these eat-in kitchens offer ideas to salivate over

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Grow Your Own Sweet Summer Crops

By Marianne Lipanovich

This guide will help any gardener get started on growing the freshest warm-season veggies and berries for summer

Full Story

142

LIFE Show Us Your Thanksgiving Fails

By Mary Jo Bowling

On some holidays you are just thankful when it’s over

Full Story

230

By Mary Jo Bowling

Houzz readers prove adept at snatching victory from the jaws of entertaining defeat

Full Story

127

By Marianne Lipanovich

Savor snack-tastic sunflower seeds once the radiant blooms have faded — if the birds have saved you any, that is

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Favorites for Your Summer Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Get your summer garden off to a good start with these popular fruits and vegetables

Full Story

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Oh, Deer! 10 Native Flowers That Stand Up to the Herds

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keeping a garden amid hungry deer can be hard, but these plants should fare well

Full Story

FALL GARDENING Reflecting on a Gardening Year

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Mistakes and successes, surprises and comforts. The garden helps us grow in new ways every year

Full Story

FALL AND THANKSGIVING Houzzers' Tablescapes Capture the Thanksgiving Spirit

By Becky Harris

We feel blessed with abundance sharing all these wonderful, creative Thanksgiving table decorations by Houzz users

Full Story

101

A squirrel ate my baby (pumpkin)!

Comments (7)

lindac

dedtired
Original Author

Related Discussions

annie1992

dgkritch

lindac

caliloo

stuartwanda

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

A squirrel ate my baby (pumpkin)!

Comments (7)

lindac

dedtiredOriginal Author

Related Discussions

annie1992

dgkritch

lindac

caliloo

stuartwanda

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

dedtired
Original Author