Protecting Your Yard From Smart Rodents

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

19 Jul 2006 08:56 AM

Have you seen the episode of "America's Funniest Home Videos" where a squirrel battles a flock of birds for the contents of a bird feeder? The determined squirrel jumps on the bird feeder causing it to spin around in circles several times, he manages to successfully hang on, seemingly undeterred by the ride, then tries desperately to rob the birds of their meal. It is quite funny (I can't remember if it was that night's big winner on the show) and I'm sure it's a situation that many homeowners face on a daily basis.

But the furry rodents (that my 2-year-old loves to torment) not only attack birdfeeders, they also target gardens. Squirrels are partial to berries, fruits, vegetables and young seedlings. They are also known to decapitate flowers during their visit to garden "restaurants." My aunt says there have been mornings when she has stood in her nightgown watching from her kitchen window as squirrels dined on her maturing crops.

So how can you help keep these smart and determined rodents from turning your garden into their buffet? Here are some tips:

"Squirrel Proof Feeders." You can purchase these from various garden magazines and catalogs. They often feature counter-weighted or electrified perches that surprise squirrels when they visit the feeder. You could also try greasing bird feeder poles or I know some homeowners who have tried sliming tree trunks.

Animal Repellent. Spray animal repellents such as cayenne pepper mix, predator urine, mothballs, and commercial formulas on or around plants you don't want squirrels to ravage.

Distraction Methods. Employ ultrasonic noisemakers or set up separate squirrel feeding stations to lure them away from the garden.

Trapping. Physically removing the rodents from your yard is the surest way to cut down on your critter problem. Most gardeners say that live traps are very effective. However, you can't expect to control an entire population with individual traps. I would suggest using this method if you find that you have one determined furry friend that tends to visit your yard on a regular basis (usually at the same time each day).

Vary Your Approach. If you have ever spent time watching squirrels you will quickly realize that they are intelligent, cunning and motivated in their approach to securing a desired meal. Therefore, you can't rely on one approach, rather you need to mix it up a bit to keep them guessing-or at least keep them off balance.

Related Articles:

Man's Best Friend=A Garden's Worst Enemy

Keeping Bambi Out Of Your Yard

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Bonnie Sayers (1298) 19 Jul 2006 06:55 PM

We have gophers and they are busy early in the morning and late at night. We have taken photos of them when they stick their head out of the ground and then I flood their hole with the hose.

They somehow get into the house through the walls and are all over the ceiling. At my parents house in NJ they would have squirrels in their walls and you would hit the wall and hear a thump. I believe gophers are rodents also.

Bonnie

Michele Cheplic (37349) 19 Jul 2006 07:06 PM

Bonnie--those gophers would freak me out, especially the ones that made it inside--wall or no wall.

Bonnie Sayers (1298) 19 Jul 2006 08:19 PM

A year ago at 1 am I was banging the kitchen walls with an umbrella trying to get it to get out of there and then I heard a thump and he landed outside somehow. Nothing living falling asleep on the couch and hearing the scratching sounds inside the walls.