Squirrels are not just a nuisance, they can cause real problems with damage for homeowners,for car owners and for electric utilities. Squirrel populations have been increasing throughout the Midwest and the nation generally, because of the loss of natural predators and a decline in squirrel hunting.
If you have a squirrel tale to tell, could you please post in in the Comment section (below the poll that follows). And please do take our poll.
I think Erin Shank is NUTS! Her negativism regarding squirrels borders on animal cruelty. I don’t think you have to be “friends” with squirrels per se, but encouraging her children to shoot the critters seems a stretch for a “credentialed??” urban wildlife biologist. Animals should beware of her! Powe Valley should take a look at her work ethic; are they missing any critters at their facility? Who knows what vendetta she may have next? And to be honest, if you keep your property secure, no loose boards, regular inspections of your attic areas, etc. squirrels don’t generally get into your property. As far as chewing car wires, that behavior is far from the norm. I enjoy my neighborhood squirrels and hope Ms. Shank stays far away from Glendale.
Hey Don… you didn’t play hardball on the squirrel issue. Do they do any good? How to get rid of them? They are damaging houses, causing heat loss, chewing through soffits and tearing up my lawn, running across our roof and are just plain intimidating. I was looking for some serious methods of keeping them out of our yard! And the guy who was dropping them off in Forest Park sure helps out our neighbors in the City.
After doing a 10 year survey I have found trapping them and placing the loaded cage in a tub of water is easy and rather quick. Also a family farmer friend supplied us with some effect “peanuts”. Strategically placed for safety reasons they did work well. I am considering tying our neighbors dog to the base of our oak tree before sun up.
And what is with the squirrels with the short tails? Are those ground squirrels? One neighbor heard that the tails were frozen off while sticking out of their nest? Another was told that the squirrels matted with rabbits? Please help inform us. Thanks for your work. David Oswald, Webster Groves
How horrifying that someone would place squirrels in a cage & then watch them drown in their bathtub…..
Poison peanuts poison not only squirrels but birds, rabbits, chipmunks, cats, dogs, children, anything that eats peanuts. It’s not a selective poison. I’d like to offer you some……..
I too was over run with squirrels & trapped some & released them, guess what, more came in to take over the “new territory”.
If you don’t want squirrels, cut down your trees!
You are a cruel, mean, no-feeling person to drown squirrels in your bathtub. I wish you plumbing problems for the rest of your life!!!
And really, squirrels mating with rabbits just shows even more of your ignorance.