Squirrel damage alert (coop, home, living)

[roadrat]

As most people know we had a squirrel explosion this year and everything was fine as long as there was plenty of nuts and berrys for them to eat but now that fall is here there running out of food and causing damage.
I came home to find that they had got into my chicken coop and chewed threw 2 heavy plastic containers that I have had for over 10 years.
In that time they have never touched those containers, one time I even left it on my deck for a week filled with food and they never touched it.
Odd thing is there was a feeder in the coop filled with food that they left alone, apparently the cracked corn in the container was more attractive to squirrels than regular chicken feed.
Anyone else having issues with the tree rats?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Pellet rifles are effective for squirrels. There is no closed season on red squirrels. I don't know about grey squirrels.They are uncommon this far north.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

Pellet rifles are effective for squirrels.

But... but... but... they're Bambis with fluffy tails!

[mainebrokerman]

ive seen a field mouse explosion.....never have I seen a little one scurry across the living room ...but I did a few months ago....

so I got some mouse traps I got the basic cheap wooden ones.....put peanut butter on them and put a few around..... I got a couple but noticed they got smart and licked the peanut butter off without triggering the trap.....
then I bought the larger versions and also some black plastic ones.. they worked 10x better
I put some in the basement and was amazed at how many I got....

then I put some in the garage ...... in opened boxes...
I got a bunch more and 4 red squirrels ..
the black ones are powerful and kill them instantly along with the larger version of the wooden ones..

I no longer see them in the house....nor the basement .

I think the count is over 25 mice now

when I clean my cupboards I also noticed they had left some droppings ......they get everywhere and they can chew on anything even wires..

[inthetrees]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

ive seen a field mouse explosion.....never have I seen a little one scurry across the living room ...but I did a few months ago....

so I got some mouse traps I got the basic cheap wooden ones.....put peanut butter on them and put a few around..... I got a couple but noticed they got smart and licked the peanut butter off without triggering the trap.....
then I bought the larger versions and also some black plastic ones.. they worked 10x better
I put some in the basement and was amazed at how many I got....

then I put some in the garage ...... in opened boxes...
I got a bunch more and 4 red squirrels ..
the black ones are powerful and kill them instantly along with the larger version of the wooden ones..

I no longer see them in the house....nor the basement .

I think the count is over 25 mice now

when I clean my cupboards I also noticed they had left some droppings ......they get everywhere and they can chew on anything even wires..

Secret with the peanut butter and those traps is too use a very small amount, but more importantly, you have to put it inside the little tiny 3/4 circle of the bait section.

This requires some technique, and probably want to use a glove if the trap has been used before, however it works way better as far as them not able to remove the PB without setting off the trap.


Here is an image of a correctly baited trap, notice how there is no visible exterior PB? Its all inside that little circle. http://images.victorpest.com/is/imag...ap-mistakes-3?

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by inthetrees

Secret with the peanut butter and those traps is too use a very small amount, but more importantly, you have to put it inside the little tiny 3/4 circle of the bait section.

This requires some technique, and probably want to use a glove if the trap has been used before, however it works way better as far as them not able to remove the PB without setting off the trap.


Here is an image of a correctly baited trap, notice how there is no visible exterior PB? Its all inside that little circle. http://images.victorpest.com/is/imag...ap-mistakes-3?

thank you for this...good info!!

I went the other way .(after a week)...I set up "traps" that were already triggered...just a bit ...every other one...so they would be "surprised" with a triggered one..


not sure how smart mice are but if they see a dead one in a trap they may stay away the squirrels caught on quicker


also after watching youtube videos I filled a small waste basket half full of water and smeared peanut butter on the sides and one of those individual peanut butter snack cups/tubs opened floating in the water with a ramp up to it..

this worked for 4 nights ... they got wise to it...but got around 8 of them with this

[Maine Writer]

We were overrun with red squirrels and mice until a short-tailed weasel showed up. When I shoot a red squirrel (.177) I leave it for the weasel. It shows up, tugs the squirrel away for an easy meal, and sticks around.

[maineborzoi]

get a Borzoi... My dogs are major hunters- and the squirrels don't have a clue that these dogs can run 35mph...

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by maineborzoi

get a Borzoi... My dogs are major hunters- and the squirrels don't have a clue that these dogs can run 35mph...

Or a West Highland White Terrier. No small animal on the property stood a chance.