Once they've planted a few acorns in the pansies they should leave them alone. Be glad that you have a yard healthy enough that there is wildlife around that is interested in it. And if you plant tons of pansies, maybe you won't notice a few that go missing. I just put out some bright red petunias (something I usually don't dabble with) and I fully expect the pots to have a few "extras" after a little while. I'll consider myself lucky if they don't overturn the pots.

Just because squirrels are *related* to rats, doesn't mean they _are_ rats. They are beautiful, and curious, and very busy, and resourceful. They're also noisy in the attic, and hard on the wires and insulation. So I'll climb that ladder again pretty soon and check out all of the "weak spots" in my anti-squirrel mesh arrangement around the vents.

SRS