veebur
Virginia
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:08 am Post subject: De-feeding the squirrels |
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Hi Everyone!
Last summer I had a huge problem with squirrels eating my day lilly leaves. We live on 5 acres surrounded by woods so it isn't just a random thing. We've got em all the time.
Any suggestions for deterring them? My thought is something like a pepper spray or Critter Ridder as I'd like to do it naturally.
Look forward to your thoughts.
Best -- Vic
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toni
 Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11685
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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I have heard that sprinkling Blood Meal around the garden will keep squirrels away. It is a good source of nitrogen for the plants too. Since it only works as a deterrent when the ground is dry, you will have to re-apply when the ground has dried after a rain.
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cajunbelle
zone 8b Louisiana
Posts: 3256
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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Pepper spray sounds cruel. I've heard coyote urine works good, it can be bought, just google it to find a source.
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Sharon
Phil. 4:13
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toni
Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11685
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah, the pepper spray can get in their little eyes and cause problems....then you would be stuck with a bunch of blind squirrels...not a pretty thought 
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To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
George Santayana
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playtime8978
blackpool england
Posts: 471
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Poor squirrels!Pepper spray in the eyes but I guessed it was meant as the pepper stuff you spray on indoor plants to deter pets from eating them not the person defensive pepper spray. I really do not know what would deter them though It had never crossed my mind that squirrels would eat the garden plants.
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veebur
Virginia
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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Hi guys!
Thanks for such great feedback. No not the pepper spray used as a defensive tactic. I promise no blind squirrels -- I actually like the little guys and feed them corn in the winter when there's nothing else. Besides, those little boogers are FAST. I couldn't even get close to spray them.
Nope, I was thinking about a capsacin spray on leaves but I think blood meal sounds even better. Thanks, Toni! 
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gardenmama
Vermont
Posts: 575
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:20 am Post subject: |
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How about setting up feeders for them to keep them busy eating something that you want them to eat. we feed the few squirrels and chipmunks around our house and they don't do any damamge in the gardens. One of the feeders is right by the lilies and they don't touch them. I think they prefer the nuts and corn.
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veebur
Virginia
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:04 am Post subject: |
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Wonderful suggestion Gardenmama! My concern is that we have so many of them -- we're surrounded by woods -- that I'd be feeding them forever. I'll give it a shot, though, and let you know how it goes. Thanks again!
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gardenmama
Vermont
Posts: 575
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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they love bread too..and we always give our old bread and toast scraps tot he squirrels. they are rather cute when they are not destroying things!
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veebur
Virginia
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 6:21 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, you're in Vermont, my favorite state! I spent 3 years in South Royalton. Where are you located in the Green Mountain state?
Raccoons love old bread too -- my brother and sister in law feed a pack of them every night. When it's cold they can go through 2 or 3 loaves!!
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gardenmama
Vermont
Posts: 575
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| Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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I am in groton, VT. Up interstate 91, about an hour or so from the canadian border.
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veebur
Virginia
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:58 am Post subject: |
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I've never been to Groton but had some classmates who were from there. Gorgeous place. Do you use a greenhouse to extend your growing season?
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Netty
Regular Plants Contributor
Southern Ontario zone 5a
Posts: 10281
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| Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:41 am Post subject: |
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Veebur, since you are surrounded by woods, I would think putting out feed of any kind would open up a whole new can of worms for you (Other animals) I would stick to blood meal or skoot.
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veebur
Virginia
Posts: 43
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 12:59 pm Post subject: |
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Netty:
Yup, I think you're right -- though I do feed them in winter when things are bleak. Never heard of Skoot. What is that and can I get it in the US?
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gardenmama
Vermont
Posts: 575
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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| veebur wrote: | | I've never been to Groton but had some classmates who were from there. Gorgeous place. Do you use a greenhouse to extend your growing season? |
I don't have an outside greenhouse yet, but that is in the plan..eventually. I do have an indoor set up that my husband built me so that I can start my seeds indoors. Soon the nights will be warm enough that everything can go out on my sun porch.
I also have 2 portable little greenhouse like covers that I can pull out and place over plants once I plant them if it is getting cooler at night.
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