Author Topic: Squirrels (Read 3350 times)

magooch · « **on:** March 08, 2010, 02:53:35 AM »

I need some ideas about how to discourage squirrels from attacking my vehicles.

My garage is so full of other stuff that I have no room to park the cars (there's too many of them anyway) in there. In all the years we've lived here, we've never had a problem with squirrels, but earlier this year a couple of them have apparently moved into one, or more of the trees. There are quite a few cats around and they do a very good job of keeping other little creatures away, but they haven't been able to get these squirrels.

Shooting the squirrels is not an option. What I'm most interested in is what can a person put under the hood to keep the squirrels out. They haven't gotten to any of the rigs yet, but I'm afraid it's just a matter of time. My sister and brother-in-law said that they have tried moth balls and dryer sheets (the little sheets you put in the dryer to keep clothes from wrinkling--I think) and even used cat litter.

I should digress just a little. It seems that the squirrels around here are fond of chewing on wiring harnesses, stealing insulation and even moving into various cavities.

Any ideas?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:15:48 AM »

traps ?

Old Fart · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:27:50 AM »

I gotta tell you the only thing I ever saw that really worked was the local neighborhood boys.
Over the years they manged to control the population quite well around here.
Goor luck my friend.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:43:30 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on March 08, 2010, 03:15:48 AM

traps ?

A good idea as I had a large havahart setup for maurading racoons. It had to be sprung by day because of squirrel catches and even then, it would be funny to watch them try to get into it. It would also need to be sprung by day because I was catching Robins of all things.

GeneRector · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:55:16 AM »

Howdy! If you decide to live trap the squirrels with the intention of relocating them to the woods, be sure and take them at least five miles from your home. Believe it or not, if you take them only four miles away as the crow flies, they will come back. There was a show once dealing with nuisance squirrels and this is what they said. Best of luck! Always, Gene

dukkillr · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2010, 04:08:55 AM »

Quote from: GeneRector on March 08, 2010, 03:55:16 AM

Howdy! If you decide to live trap the squirrels with the intention of relocating them to the woods...

Why would you do that?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** March 08, 2010, 04:11:19 AM »

In Va. its illegal to trap squirrels believe it or not .

AtlLaw · « **Reply #7 on:** March 08, 2010, 04:59:23 AM »

Ya can't... give up... just avoid them and be glad they are after your property and not you! $:-\$

As an example, I offer this story. Rather then cut and paste it like I did in the "Biker" forum, I'll just put a link here. The story will give you an idea what these critters are capable of if you make them mad...

http://normanbliss.com/blog/?page_id=86

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:03:30 AM »

Dee · « **Reply #9 on:** March 08, 2010, 05:04:47 AM »

magooch, I have some paper shell pecan trees that are big producers, so I am continually fighting the little cusses. They are a native species here, and the neighborhood is covered with them. They have chewed the phone lines on the poles to my house in two TWICE, even getting past the squirrel wire the phone company puts around the terminals. They got into my parents attic several years ago, and when I was squirrel proofing it, I found they had been there for years. There was an accumulated nest about 3 feet high, and 4 feet across. It's a wonder the sheet rock in the garage had held it up.
The three methods that work are: CB caps and a 22 rifle, live traps with peanut butter, and if your handy, you can silver solder a sharp nail on the bail of a rat trap, and screw the trap into a tree or board, and then bait it with peanut butter. It is most times deadly.
I also have a Jack Russel Terrier in the yard, but sometimes they make it to the trees, and I have to take care of it then, because they can't get down, and he won't give up for days.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** March 08, 2010, 01:31:28 PM »

Quote from: dukkillr on March 08, 2010, 04:08:55 AM

Quote from: GeneRector on March 08, 2010, 03:55:16 AM
Howdy! If you decide to live trap the squirrels with the intention of relocating them to the woods...
Why would you do that?

My Father did that.
Kept thinking he was catching the same one over and over.
He would catch them at the house and then release them at the farm 10 miles away.
After looking at this one he hit the tail with some red spray paint and set it free at the farm.
two weeks later same tree rat was in the tree out front and he got out the Full auto BB and let the little bugger have a 6 round burst.
Figured the CO2 BB gun was not a fire arm and did not apply to the restriction No discharging firearms in the city limits.
Later found that a tree rat will return if moved under 50 miles away.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #11 on:** March 08, 2010, 01:50:18 PM »

I've done battle with the tree rats over the years.

A rat trap with peanut butter on the pan works great. If you want to use them outside safely, drill a hole in the base and screw it to a tree or fense. that way no one's cat or a chlid will touch it. In the garage you can just use your imagination and common sense. If you are having trouble with the bastards in the garage, traps are the way to go. Trying to shoot them is a losing proposition in a garage. You open the door with pellet gun in hand, they dissapear. You just don't get a shot.

If you can leave the garage door open and have a shot at them from inside your house or wherever, then a pellet gun is an option. I prefer the 22 over the 177 pellets. The 177 is flatter shooting and generally better for targets because of that; the 22 hits harder and just plain kills better. Neither type of pellet gun will generally go through plywood, so if you shoot into the garage it won't put holes in your building. Try it out on some sample pieces of wood, shingles etc so you know what you can and can't shoot pellets at. Obviously, don't leave the car in there and make sure your lie of fire doesn't put the paint cans in danger. Again, common sense and imagination.

Hooker · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2010, 02:43:39 PM »

This the best method for relocating bushy tailed tree rats

Squirrel Dumplings

~ 3 squirrels, cut up (All hair and shot removed.)
~ 1 egg
~ 2 cups plain flour
~ 3/4 cup broth
~ 1 teaspoon salt
~ salt and pepper

Boil squirrels in four quarts of water until tender. Remove squirrels from broth, let cool, then remove meat from bones. Set aside.

In large bowl, mix flour, egg and one teaspoon of salt with 3/4 cup of broth and roll into ball.

Strain the broth to remove any stray shot then resume boil. Return meat to boiling broth.

On a floured cutting board, use rolling pin to roll the dough ball to a thickness of 1/16 inch. Cut into 1-inch wide strips and drop strips one at a time into the boiling broth. Gently shake pot after last dumpling is added to prevent sticking.

Cook approximately 10-15 minutes until dumplings are tender. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve and Enjoy!

Pat

1marty · « **Reply #13 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:07:24 PM »

couple of years ago had a family of squirrels in the attic. My wife (the tree hugger) hired an egology friendly "green" company to "humanly" trap the buggers and relocate them to a nice home in the country where they will be happy and play all day. She wrote $300 in checks and these jerks couldn't catch an elephant if it was in my attic. One day she went shopping I got my ruger 22 and flashlight and shot the mom. I put the babies in a bag and gave them the heave ho. Wife came back from shopping and I told her the family of squirrels just left and I saw them running happily into the woods.
my suggestion: a farmer told me to get a flounder hook, put peanut butter on it. The squirrel will bite into it and eventually starve to death.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:17:48 PM »

I would try and put rubber snakes around where you don't want them. I know it works for birds because thats what my father did with a bird problem when I was little. Dale

The Hermit · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:34:42 PM »

Atlaw, many years ago when I rode, I had a 4 cyl Yamaha 1100 Midnight special, black and gold. My only encounter with a squirrel occured while I was doing 80 plus on a highway and the squirrel decided to see if he could run between the spokes. Months later I was still picking red fur from around the drive shaft. It was exciting for sure, but I wouldn't want to do it again. I discovered that there are old bike riders and there are bold bike riders, but there are NO old bold bike riders.
As for squirrels, I trap them now.

The Hermit

Oldshooter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:41:48 PM »

Quote

This was an evil attack squirrel of death!

I hate when that happens!

gypsyman · « **Reply #17 on:** March 08, 2010, 07:09:49 PM »

wrist rocket,steel ball bearings, a little bit of practice, amd the 3 s's. gypsyman (that is if you don't want to eat the little fur bags!!)

GatCat · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2010, 08:42:41 PM »

I've heard from mechanics that the little "cling-free" thingies you put in a clothes dryer will keep mice and rats away from an outside stored car..put a sheet under the hood, one in trunk, and one on floor in cab.....perhaps it will work with squirrels, also.
Then again, knowing how squirrels can be persnickity, perhaps it will attract them with this new type of "bedding" !!!!
Good luck,
Mark

Victor3 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2010, 09:59:16 PM »

This should take care of them...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Ya6z-NlDo&NR=1

mechanic · « **Reply #20 on:** March 09, 2010, 01:00:17 AM »

D Con rat bait. Place it high enough innocents can't get it. Cats won't touch it. Place a nice container of water near by. No more squirrels.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #21 on:** March 09, 2010, 01:30:01 AM »

C-4, that'll get em!!!

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #22 on:** March 09, 2010, 02:08:29 AM »

Quote

and then bait it with peanut butter

Quote

get a flounder hook, put peanut butter on it

Quote

A rat trap with peanut butter on the pan works great

Just so happened that my live trap as said in reply#3 contained a slice of bread w/peanut butter. Hilarious to watch them try to get in the closed trap.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 09, 2010, 02:12:46 AM »

just slip a good size black snake in there..might take him a while ,but he ll gettum all if they don t leave..slim
of course he ll need a lady friend or he ll leave.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #24 on:** March 09, 2010, 02:27:28 AM »

Maybe start keeping a python as a pet? Then you don't have a squirrel problem, you have pet food delivery

oldandslow · « **Reply #25 on:** March 09, 2010, 03:32:04 AM »

Mechanic, I wondered about D Con. No squirrels here but it keeps the barn where I keep all my toys free of mice and pack rats.

magooch · « **Reply #26 on:** March 09, 2010, 03:56:52 AM »

I think I'll have to rule out shooting with any kind of device, but the C-4 sounds interesting. Do they make little tree mines?

I'm hoping the cats can come up with a strategy, but maybe the rat poison is the best way.

bulletstuffer · « **Reply #27 on:** March 09, 2010, 04:14:12 AM »

Once they get started they will continue to destroy the inside of your vehicles engine compartment. Live traps with the peanut butter will catch them. I like the pellet idea better but, a bucket of H2O will end the need for extended drive to relocate them. This should make Al Gore and his friends happy as you are not increasing your carbon foot print

luckydawg13 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 09, 2010, 05:37:48 AM »

GET RAT TRAPS THAY WORK PELLET GUN IT A SQUIRREL KILL IT

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #29 on:** March 09, 2010, 05:40:30 AM »

My Grandmother that lives in Tx takes a 3/4" sheet of ply wood and glues peanuts to it on the porch. Every so often she will look around the corner and grap her BT99 and let fly with a 1 Oz load.
The only people that get upset are the golfers she scars on the 5th hole just below her house.

So if you are ever on the Gen Dynamics Golf course and on hole 5 it is just my Grandmother. Say Hello.