Author Topic: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?  (Read 2774 times)

NewGen

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How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« on: June 25, 2021, 04:56:46 PM »
I've accepted the fact that they cannot be prevented, but I'm just hoping to have some fruits for myself.
They've feasted on my plums, nectarines, and peaches. Now they're climbing the mango branches and knocked down unripe ones. I feel sad and angry seeing those would-be delicious mangoes on the ground. I've trapped some of them, and shot others (great fun to see them roll over, Lol). I've already ordered a few more traps, this seem to be the best way. Shooting requires me to be home all the time, I will lose my real job, haha. Is any type of poison food an option? Any advice is much appreciated

Thanks,

zands

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2021, 05:27:19 PM »
Irish Spring soap. I might try myself. 5 or so youtube videos on it. Going to read more on it.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=irish+spring+squirrels

Youtube comments say you can find this soap at dollar tree stores-----

https://www.amazon.com/Irish-Spring-Original-Deodorant-Ounce/dp/B07FY17L3N/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Irish+Spring+Soap&qid=1624656149&sr=8-2

« Last Edit: June 25, 2021, 05:32:34 PM by zands »

spaugh

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2021, 05:36:03 PM »
Trapping with the squirrelenator works well.  Sometimes you get lucky and can shoot them.  A cat would probably help too. 
Brad Spaugh

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2021, 05:39:53 PM »
Yeah, what you are doing is about all you can do imho.  It's about population control.  Can't get them all, but you can reduce the pest load. I have found that keeping up your control measures year around helps.  Don't limit your efforts to the fruiting season.

TropicalFruitHunters

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2021, 06:18:42 PM »
Rat traps secured in the trees and pump air rifle with a good scope.  Got to watch for chipmonks too.  In addition to the mess they make digging in containers and such, they can cause damage to patios by burrowing under them.  Hate doing it, but there is no reigning them in once they find your fruit.

FRUITBOXHERO

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2021, 06:43:39 PM »
Paintball gun, I've never seen a painted squirrel in my yard.... it's also great target practice with ammo prices as high as they are... gotta stay sharp 
Joe

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2021, 07:38:29 PM »
Almost none here thanks to a hawk and a cat.
- Val

Tommyng

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2021, 07:43:18 PM »
A dog helps but what really helped was cutting and trimming trees that bordered fruiting trees so the squirrels couldn’t jump from one tree to another. They don’t like traveling by ground when there was dog around.
Don’t rush, take time and enjoy life and food.

Oolie

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2021, 08:02:17 PM »
Just got to catch them, that's the hard part.

W.

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2021, 09:29:28 PM »
Due to the risk of harming non-target animals, I do not believe in poisoning squirrels with the exception of inflicting them with cases of high-impact lead poisoning.

In all seriousness, I think you are on the right track by trapping them. Combining that with some of the other suggestions (pruning trees to prevent tree-to-tree travel is a good idea, if you have the space between your trees to do it) should lessen your fruit loss.

canito 17

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #10 on: June 26, 2021, 01:33:36 AM »
Hi, you can use a barrier made with aluminum can. Coke, Pepsi .Just cut and wrap branches with it. You can use a stapler for the installation. Squirrels are smarter than rats and are better climbing and jumping
Avoid to plant trees near fences or walls .

zands

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #11 on: June 26, 2021, 04:08:57 AM »
Today is Irish Spring day. I am buying some and will use this on one mango tree maybe two. I will post photos.

bsbullie

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #12 on: June 26, 2021, 06:41:59 AM »
Chute 'em
- Rob

MANGOJOY

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2021, 07:32:19 AM »
I share my mangoes with squirrels, Blue jays and wood pecker..love them.

TropicalFruitHunters

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2021, 08:05:31 AM »
I'd save the money and effort on the Irish Spring.  If it doesn't help with mice/rats, probably won't do anything for squirrels either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhQjxTwQdpk

JakeFruit

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #15 on: June 26, 2021, 08:28:19 AM »
A neighbor swears by coyote urine to keep squirrels and raccoons away from her mangoes. No firsthand knowledge myself, trimming surrounding trees does the trick for me, so far.

toadshade

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #16 on: June 26, 2021, 09:11:08 AM »
Surprised no one has brought up capsaicin.  Fill a backpack sprayer with hot pepper juice.  Squirrels hate it.  It is (not permanently) harmful to any animals and it does work.  Spraying an entire tree would probably be a big deterrent.  I am very much opposed to poisons since they are not selective and can make its way down the food chain killing other unintended animals.  Live traps suck to have to deal with but they work.  My experience has been to provide a good dose of high velocity vitamin Pb but I understand that isn't for everyone.  The pepper spray really works well, but for obvious reasons, it can be uncomfortable to deal with and it would have to be done on a semi regular basis.

JakeFruit

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #17 on: June 26, 2021, 09:26:47 AM »
Those hot mixes have been brought up often in these discussions (you'll find multiple threads touching on the rodent/varmint problem on the forum). All reports I've read state that they don't work, or don't work for long. It's rained nearly every day for the last two weeks and most mangoes are coming ripe now; even if they were successful, you'd be running yourself ragged reapplying every day.

bovine421

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #18 on: June 26, 2021, 10:56:29 AM »
I've accepted the fact that they cannot be prevented, but I'm just hoping to have some fruits for myself.
They've feasted on my plums, nectarines, and peaches. Now they're climbing the mango branches and knocked down unripe ones. I feel sad and angry seeing those would-be delicious mangoes on the ground. I've trapped some of them, and shot others (great fun to see them roll over, Lol). I've already ordered a few more traps, this seem to be the best way. Shooting requires me to be home all the time, I will lose my real job, haha. Is any type of poison food an option? Any advice is much appreciated

Thanks,


I feel your pain as I read this I look out the window and see one of those little bastards eating the rose petals off my bush



I'm taking him to the doctor Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando to audition for the part in The Nutcracker for the holiday season :)
« Last Edit: June 28, 2021, 09:32:30 AM by bovine421 »
Tete Nene Julie Juliet Carrie Ice Cream Coconut Cream Little Gem  Dot  Mallika PPK  OS  Pina Colada Cotton Candy Buxton Spice Karen Michelle M-4 Beverly Marc Anthony White Pirie Lychee Cherilata Plantain Barbados Cherry

roblack

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #19 on: June 26, 2021, 11:37:49 AM »
eat the bad ones

zands

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #20 on: June 26, 2021, 12:35:11 PM »
eat the bad ones
Bad squirrels or bad mangos or both?

The ultimate way is trap a squirrel(s)
Do it in
Run it over with your car
Find squirrel recipe in the roadkill cookbook
https://www.amazon.com/Original-Road-Kill-Cookbook/dp/0898152003

Gourmet Style Road Kill Cooking and Other Fine Recipes
https://tinyurl.com/fbkzw6hp

Francis_Eric

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #21 on: June 26, 2021, 01:26:40 PM »
I heard some grape growers for birds use Motion detector Sprinkler
(random link never tried the brand)

Heard of people having a trap crop
 (combine the two they may go for easier food high fat maybe pecan Oak)
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-Yard-Enforcer-Motion-Activated-Pest-Deterrent-Sprinkler-62100/203907475

Do not forget to dump Pepper on newly planted tree's soil
squirrels dug up one of my foot deep pawpaw tree's in thick soil
,and just recent rhubarb newly planted
(and  about 5o more or less flower  bulbs leaving to rot in sun.)

Francis_Eric

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #22 on: June 26, 2021, 01:35:20 PM »
forgot for apples I heard people trim the branches high, and wrap sheet metal around trunk
Preventing them from Climbing.

I wonder if you could place a copper wire to touch when a animal climbs attached to a 9 volt battery
saw that for snails around plants,  and it fried them crisp. (may need bigger battery 12 volt._)

With excess fruit vint wine, and set out the spent fruit watch the squirrels be drunk
maybe they'd learn to only eat old fermented fruit rotting on the ground , but they are funny.

palmcity

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #23 on: June 26, 2021, 02:20:13 PM »
How do you minimize the squirrel problem?  Answer: Minimize the squirrel population.

Use all legal available ways previously mentioned on forum topics as most of us including myself have an easier time and odds of eliminating all the bugs/cockroaches/ants/etc. in my house with a few sprays than eliminating the squirrels from my yard using all of the time consuming more expensive methods listed in the forums...

I am now content with knowing elimination of yard rodents is impossible; contentment with lowering the population is the only true goal.

Timbogrow

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Re: How do you minimize the squirrel problem?
« Reply #24 on: June 26, 2021, 03:26:16 PM »
You may have to whack your neighbors feeding them too, 😆.