The battle against the tree rats

[jgrussell]

Slowly but surely, I am winning the battle with the tree rats (a/k/a common grey squirrels) in my yard. After watching amazing quantities of expensive seed disappearing almost overnight to their rapacious appetites, and even losing one feeder completely (they gnawed off the wooden frame to get to the seed), I replaced one feeder with the Heritage Farms Absolute bird feeder (http://www.wildbirdhabitatstore.com/6-squirrel-proof-bird-feeders/heritage-farms/absolute-squirrel-proof-bird-feeders/prod_14.html) and sat backed and laughed myself silly as the beasts tried and tried and tried and couldn't get in to the seed compartment.

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/530604433_5rQ8u-O.jpg

Of course, that simply meant that they turned their attention to the other feeders with a vengeance. If I tried to put out any kind of nuts or berries for the woodpeckers, titmice and the like, it lasted about 30 seconds before the squirrels were all over it. So... I took down the feeder I was using and fired back with the Duncraft squirrel blocker selective (http://www.duncraft.com/Duncraft-Squirrel-Blocker-Selective--P1074C0.aspx) feeder. And again sat back and laughed.

http://photos.jgrussell.com/photos/563576491_vjiU2-O.jpg

That left the problem of the attack on the remaining big feeder I'm using any time I made the mistake of putting sunflower seed out rather than safflower. But a lot of desirable backyard visitors prefer sunflower seed, so I decided to launch one last salvo against the beasts, this time with the Brome Squirrel Buster Plus (http://www.wildbirdhabitatstore.com/6-squirrel-proof-bird-feeders/brome-bird-care/brome-squirrel-buster-plus/prod_351.html). Now there's no question that they'll do everything in their power to get the last laugh, but for now... so far... so good...

"Uh oh... nothing to hold onto here!"

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/587710852_dVubu-O.jpg

"No way in by hanging around down here!"

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/587710874_7DdgL-O.jpg

"There's gotta be a way to get in there!"

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/587710947_C4t8C-O.jpg

"There's gotta be a way..."

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/587710965_3hkMX-O.jpg

"There's gotta be..."

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/587710987_T5Btv-O.jpg

"I wonder if there are any acorns yet..."

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/587711008_rvwHX-O.jpg

[Scottes]

I fought this war for a long time. I tried all sorts of things. Everything deterred the squirrels, but barely. I'd say that each device I tried was about 20-30% effective. That is, the squirrels would get to the feeders after 3 or 4 attempts.

One time I had just installed a new anti-squirrel device and came inside the house. When I looked out the window, a squirrel was hanging off a feeder munching away. Total time from installation to defeat was about 20 seconds.

Now I have my feeders mounted on a pole, with one of those baffles set 5 or 6 feet off the ground. If the maniacs actually manage to get around the baffle then they deserve the food. They have to climb my deck stairs, go up the railing, launch themselves, fly about 7 or 8 feet through the air, and hit the pole - not the baffle which tilts - and hang on.

The baffle is about 99.9% effective. I watched one little daredevil fail 15 times in a row before wandering off for easier pickings.

[Stormin_24]

LOL.. Nice shots... I have a few pics similar to these as well... You have some nice feeders there...

[jgrussell]

If the maniacs actually manage to get around the baffle then they deserve the food.That's pretty much how I feel now -- anything the tree rats can get now, they deserve.

[jgrussell]

LOL.. Nice shots... I have a few pics similar to these as well... They are such persistent little thieves, aren't they?

You have some nice feeders there...Recommended by my local shop, whose owner sent me an email after seeing the last series saying: "You're enjoying their discomfort too much!"

[canonloader]

I have never had much of a squirrel problem here. I think two persistant squirrels in almost 4 years. Since I live in the country and never did like squirrels, I eliminate the problem at the source by eliminating the source.

Now if I could just get rid of the coons.

[jgrussell]

I have never had much of a squirrel problem here. I think two persistant squirrels in almost 4 years. ...I have had a squirrel problem ever since moving into this house 17-18 years ago. They've gotten into the attic and everything. But I feel like I'm getting at least a little bit ahead of them now!

Now if I could just get rid of the coons.Can't help you there. Even had one of those characters get into the house once (http://www.jgrussell.com/views/view-tb.htm).

[canonloader]

Yeah, I have seen the damage from a coon that got into a house, not mine thank god. They haven't tried getting into the house yet, but they get up on my lawn tables and vacuum up every last seed and peanut left from the birds. I can now estimate how much the birds eat by nightfall and don't put out any extra. After a few days, the coons stop coming around. I had one small one this winter, and got rid of him with scare tactics. He was the size of a small dog. But his big brother started coming around then and he is the size of a small bear. I even caught the small one in my live trap I used for feral cats. I guess I should have taken the opportunity when I had it. :)

[markmizzou]

I counted 16 gray tree-rats under my feeders the other day when I came home over lunch hour. For now I am winning the battle -- but I have brought in some new weapons--This very expensive (in my mind) post set "www.amazon.com/Liberty-Products-SQC05-Squirrel-Stopper/dp/B000F5UOEC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1247428110&sr=8-2" Another weapon is still in testing -- it is my own concoction -- but is proving very successful as well. Both of these have been great against raccoons.
Couple of years ago I had my feeders attached to a cable arrangement between 2 trees. this worked great for a while -- then they called in their special forces (AKA-- Walenda-squad) the extra skinny wire walking rats. They were supplemented by a few long-range flyers -- and damned if I lost that battle. Abandoned the wire setup. Did win some later battles with heavy artillery (don't tell my wife) with the noise of the this battle cleverly blended into the usual illeagal "kids shooting off fireworks in the city ". Of course this assult could only be carried out around the 4th of July .
Due to the limited time frame and the possibilty of colatteral damage -this battle plan has been abandoned . The new direction of battle (don't tell the enemy) is to out -engineer the enemy -- stay tuned for further developments

[Aucomo]

I to am from Missouri. I got rid of my problem squirrels by putting them on the grill.

[krs2fer]

I have a dry corn on the cob feeder that I put up far away from the bird feeder, the squirrels eat that and leave the bird seed alone...

[jgrussell]

I counted 16 gray tree-rats under my feeders the other day when I came home over lunch hour. For now I am winning the battle -- but I have brought in some new weapons... -- stay tuned for further developmentsI can't wait to see what you try next!

[jgrussell]

I have a dry corn on the cob feeder that I put up far away from the bird feeder, the squirrels eat that and leave the bird seed alone...I would say that I don't have a good place in my small yard away from the bird feeders, but the truth is I am not spending one red cent that I don't have to feeding those little furry-tailed rodents.

[badams]

Dang things got into my plastic trash cans that were holding my feed. Had to clean up the mess last week before the mice got in there. Now I have a metal truck tool box to store it in.

canonloader, I'll be glad to send some your way if you want them.

[canonloader]

I don't think so. 2 in 3 years is plenty. :)

[jgrussell]

Dang things got into my plastic trash cans that were holding my feed. Had to clean up the mess last week before the mice got in there. Now I have a metal truck tool box to store it in.Yep, metal only. That's why the feeders I got have metal to shield the seed.

[canonloader]

Pretty hard to find a good galvenized metal trash can these days. :)

[jgrussell]

Pretty hard to find a good galvenized metal trash can these days. :)What size would you like (http://trashcansunlimited.com/galvanized_trash_cans.html)?

[canonloader]

Four times the cost of plastic and shipping. To rich for my blood. :)

[ducklabdad]

I found that the best way to take care of my squirel problem is to feed them.

To the family that is{Squirrel and dumplings} just like granma used to make!!!

Anyone want the recipe, just let me know. I also have one for some awesome BBQ squirrel and squirrel pot pie!!

It sure is a good way to go "green" saving sunflower seed and money on "High Dollar Squirel proof feeders" and pellets are real cheap.

Maybe we need a tree rat recipe thread!!

[canonloader]

I could eat some squirrel pot pie, sounds delicious.

[artyman]

If you could confine it just to the squirrels, cyanide flavoured peanuts :D

[ducklabdad]

I could eat some squirrel pot pie, sounds delicious.

It is delicious, especilly with young grey squirrels. It has always been a favorite staple at our old hunting camp!

[GMHY]

I have declared WAR on the fury bandits!

After they destroyed 3 feeders, the last one being here (comically called "squirrel blocker" by Duncraft):

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt158/GMHY/IMG_6640_cr_small.jpg

... they also ruined a complete photo session by persistently coming back every minute after I chased them, including by smacking their butts with rubber bands.

But the last straw was when I discovered that the most frustrated of these pests had gnawed at my teak table I keep on my deck, even though I have never put one seed on it!

WAR!

I have the same passive protections shown by the OP (pic 1 and 3, they work well) - however, I have also taken the offensive: since I don't want to kill them, and anyway I live in a neighborhood where it is not possible to shoot them, I have procured a blow gun with stun darts that I discovered recently: I will pepper their little fury arses with stun darts, until it enters in their stubborn pea-brains that this particular zone is NOT SAFE for them.
I have already started, with some result (takes them longer to come back after a good smack).
Next time I settle in my blind for a photo session, I will have the blow gun ready to slip through alongside the 70-200 and smack them as soon as they show up.

WAR!

Gerard.

[ducklabdad]

CO2 pellet pistol!! Best deal out there. Most states (If you are concerned) have depredation laws where you can harvest those that are destructive.

[canonloader]

I have a pump up pellet pistol. It will take up to 10 pumps. Cheaper than CO2.

[jgrussell]

I have declared WAR on the fury bandits!... I have procured a blow gun with stun darts that I discovered recently: I will pepper their little fury arses with stun darts, until it enters in their stubborn pea-brains that this particular zone is NOT SAFE for them.Good luck, Gerard. Mine have stopped bugging me so badly now that I have the new feeders up. The only non-squirrel resistant feeder I have (there's no such thing as squirrel-proof, as you've discovered) has only safflower seed, and the treerats don't seem to like that at all.

[GMHY]

Good luck, Gerard. Mine have stopped bugging me so badly now that I have the new feeders up. The only non-squirrel resistant feeder I have (there's no such thing as squirrel-proof, as you've discovered) has only safflower seed, and the treerats don't seem to like that at all.

Well, I have already received the safflower advice but have not put it to use yet; fact is, I like to put a little quantity of peanuts on my deck railing for the Blue Jays, Cardinals and Titmice - as you know they love the peanuts and it works real well - then, if the safflower does not attract the squirrels, the peanuts will. That's what happens actually: the bandits feast endlessly on the peanuts, poop and piss everywhere, frighten the birds, waste everything and generally piss off everybody, titmice and me included - hence the blow gun!

Gerard

[PJHO]

Get a gun! They don't come back once they're dead!

[snyderman]

I have the same 'squirrel buster' feeders. The tree rats around here are relegated to foraging on the ground for 'leftovers.' I've seen them on the deck, climbing the post (4x4 cemented into the ground) and going down the feeder. They eventually fall off. Haven't seen one on the feeding perch, but your pics prove the weight is too much to allow for feeding.

They have knocked each feeder, I have two, to the ground once each. Other than that, the squirrels seem to understand that eating off the ground is the way to go!

Great shots, BTW!!!

dave

[jgrussell]

I have the same 'squirrel buster' feeders.... the squirrels seem to understand that eating off the ground is the way to go! Great shots, BTW!!!Thanks, Dave! So far, I'm very happy with these. And the birds seem to be as well. There's plenty knocked to the ground for the treerats, and the birds get their share first!