OT - Squirrel Repellent Idea

Dyal_SC

My wife and I are trying to turn our thumbs green this year. We have all sorts of goodies that are growing great so far. My wife was really excited the other day when our first strawberry turned from green to red. Well yesterday I went back there and either squirrels or a rabbit tore into our strawberries. :( Having the day off today, I decided to play Mr. Martha Stewart.

First, I sprinkled some peppermint oil granules around the perimeter of the garden and then came up with this. Hot glued a bamboo skewer on the bottom of a glad ware cup. Used a hole punch and punched holes all around under the lip of the container. Then filled them with moth balls, placed the lid on and placed them periodically around the garden. The lid acts as a rain barrier so no water gets in. Squirrels don't like the smell of moth balls nor peppermint. I saw something similar on YouTube, but I used glad ware cups instead. We will see if it keeps them out.

Village Idiot

My favorite squirrel repellent.  A .410 shotgun revolver.

Dyal_SC

Wish I could, VI. But I live in a subdivision. lol

Wolfpack

22 short is very quiet.

Mattman3969

Sprinkle Bloodmeal around the plants. We had the same thing happen with some Heirloom Lilly fresh plants last yr and my wife used this stuff and no more nibblage

Dyal_SC

Yeah, I know WP. Still illegal where I live. lol. I'll resort to moth balls for now before resorting to firearms.

Dyal_SC

Thx, Mattman! Where do you buy that from?

TUTTLE871

High Powered pellet gun is what I use, And then put the head of a squirrel on a pike to warn other squirrles I am serious this time.

I need to stop watching Braveheart.

GK59

I use a airsoft (BB) 1911. I think it's a Crossman.

Mattman3969

We have bought at Walmart or Lowes in the pesticide section.

Mattman3969

At lowes

Dyal_SC

Thx, Matt! I will pick some up if the peppermint granules and mothballs don't do the trick.

Mattman3969

No problem, gotta save the veggies!!

Firemedic183

Wolfpack said:

22 short is very quiet.

A suppressor is even quieter. Very effective too.

MO_Eggin

I had a problem with rabbits eating my blueberry plants (stripped the leaves and then ate the young shoots pretty much down to the roots).  After much trial and error, I found success with a product called Bitter Apple, available at big box pet stores, intended to keep dogs from chewing on stuff.  I apply in the evening and sometimes re-apply after rain; after a while, the little buggers get conditioned not to even try the plants.  I would test out on a few trial spots to make sure no adverse reaction with your particular plants.

Griffin

Didn't you just buy a BB gun for some birds?

fishlessman

trap,goobers, and a barrel of water, works every time. used to trap and find them a new home but the neighbor turned me in to conservation....they said to drown the varmints. no repellent works against a determined squirrel

Dyal_SC

Ha! Yeah. I am equipped with lots of firearms, including a pellet gun. But you can't pick off every squirrel. I would like to deter them even when I'm not home to stand guard.

Village Idiot

I bought this a couple of years ago, and after a few weeks, I haven't had to turn on the electric fence since.

http://www.mrmcgregor.com/control/squirrel-control-center/index.htm

Little Steven

Squirrel and bunnies is good eats

MrCookingNurse

Dyal_SC said:

Wish I could, VI. But I live in a subdivision. lol

Vi prolly lives in a neighborhood too, but it's Texas and everyone carries a judge

shtgunal3

I have 9 acres and plant a good size garden. The squirrels and rabbits and other varmints that are unfortunate enough to go in my garden only do it once.

Dyal_SC

For those of you interested in the moth ball cups, I'll let you know if they work out.

Botch

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

 

(before the ASPCA comes a-knockin', I don't advocate this.  I did, however, laugh with great vigor).   

canegger

That is friggn hilarious. Now thats a flying squirrel )

Dyal_SC

Ha! I saw a video where my buddy's buddy did something similar with a skeet thrower.

Dyal_SC

BTW, finger off that trigger, VI! That's a bad habit.

Village Idiot

Dyal_SC said:

BTW, finger off that trigger, VI! That's a bad habit.

Good point.  But, notice the hammer isn't cocked, and I also don't keep a live round in the firing position.  It's also pointed at a picture of Mickey on the wall, so even if it went off .... yawn.

Dyal_SC

)

Eggcelsior

VI shot the sheriff... But he did not shoot no deputy...

henapple

Dyal_SC said:

BTW, finger off that trigger, VI! That's a bad habit.

Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire the weapon and always assume it's loaded.