I'm a bit Freaked Out (a little off topic) - Page 4

Dogman · 05-23-2012

We are plagued with squirrels around here. While most people think they're cute, those of us familiar with them know they are simply rats with bushy tails that are highly destructive of property and vegetation. Our neighborhood is blessed with large oak and pecan trees and some fruit trees which provide shelter and food for the little monsters. Every year we watch them destroy immature nuts and fruits and wreak havoc on flower beds and plants in containers. If that was the only nuisance they might be tolerable. But they also invade attics and storage rooms and outbuildings by chewing their way in.

We discovered a large hole under the eve at the front of our house a few months ago. This followed several nights of being awakened with the sound of a galloping animal in the attic above our bedroom. We got a maintenance man to come over and cut a sheet of plywood to cover the damaged wood as an interim measure until he could replace the molding. The damn thing chewed through the plywood patch and got in the attic again. We set a trap to catch the varmint but it never took the bait. Right now we have an unsightly piece of plywood with a hole in it covering an even more unsightly hole at the front of the house that we are unable to have properly repaired because we can't catch the squirrel responsible. Life was simpler when I was a child and lived in the country. Everyone had a .22 and a shotgun and no one would tolerate being dominated by a lowly rodent.

So, DRabbit, I feel your pain and long for the relief you received when the invading raccoons were removed.

By the way, raccoon can be quite tasty. If you're hungry. I've also eaten squirrel. But now I find it totally unpalatable.

Steve Bellayr · 05-23-2012

A good thread with good photos. I have had snakes, coyote, bats (under the deck and we let them live there), rabbits, and black widow spiders (been bitten once). Many people have deer and some have bear. Just outside DC.

DRabbit · 05-23-2012

Dogman: we had squirrels 2/3 year ago, and they are a pain in the you-know-what too. Cute yes, and I remember watching them as a kid thinking they were so fun. That's until they broken into the attic. Mind you, I'm in suburbia, not in the middle of the woods or anything. LOL

Same crazy raccoon guy that got rid of my problem this time did it last time... and he had them all out in less than a week. They have TERRIBLE fleas, so be sure you fumigate when you do finally get them out.

Also, try baiting your traps with a cracker, lots of peanut butter and half a regular marshmallow on top. The white of the marshmallow attracts them apparently. Put birdseed in the peanut butter if you have it on hand.

And if you're going to let them go... make sure it's more than 5 miles from you house or they will find their way back!

Good luck... you have my sympathy.

Steve: we laugh and say we must have a sign in our backyard saying "wildlife welcome". We get bunnies, moles, and chipmunks regularly. We had ducks nest in our yard once and lay eggs (more babies! But not in my house... LOL). Then the squirrels and raccoons in our attic. I don't know why they like us so much.