BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?

Subject: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 05:25 PM

I recently started feeding the birds in my backyard. Not surprisingly, within a few days, I saw a large, fat squirrel hanging headdown, trying to empty the feeder. I'd like to hear people's opinions on feeding the squirrels. Do you try to discourage them, tolerate them, or actively provide food for them? I notice, in the stores, that they seem to sell some food specifically intended for the squirrels--dried cob corn, peanuts in the shell, etc. I have mixed feelings. The birds seem "cuter" to me & I'm afraid the squirrels will hog all the food & scare the birds away. On the other hand, I suppose they have a right to eat, too. Opinions?

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 05:28 PM

If I could just feed the red squirels without the damn greys getting it first, I might think about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 05:34 PM

Squirrels seem pretty good at feeding themselves. Putting out food for them might mean you could have more fun watching them, but I doubt if they'd go hungry anyway.

Personally I think squirrels are much cuter than birds.   In both senses of the word - in Ireland "cute" means "clever".

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 07:06 PM

For the most part the squirreles will figure out ways to eat, however, when there is significant snow or ice, they have a difficult time... I put out feed corn for them when it snows but tahts the only time I feed them directly... The rest of time, the bluejays feed them by spillin' more black oil than they eat...

And yeah, the squirrels can be a lot of fun... If you take time they will come up to you and let you feed them...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 08:01 PM

In the UK the British red squirrels are being ousted by the American grey imports. If you have grey squirrels in your area, starve the little buggers or preferably shoot them - I want the red ones back.
You used to find reds in Langdale in the Lake district until 3 years ago, now they've gone. Soon there'll be none in the Lakes or anywhere else, unless we do something.
Ray

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Gypsy
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 08:16 PM

consider your neighbors, too. i think that squirrels are cute, but they ruin our cash crop.........can't have them around, or i lose my paycheck.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 09:01 PM

What crop is that, Gypsy? I live in a corn-raising area. If I encourage the squirrels, is that a problem?

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 09:24 PM

Squirrels are the same as RATS.

Except their tails are fuzzy.

Vermin, lice, you can contract

But, squirrels are fuzzy-wuzzy.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 10:02 PM

I think squirrels are cute as heck, but they are pigs, and destructive (they chew through the gas line on the grill in a blatant attempt to blow me the F- up). Therefore, I have designed a bird feeder that gives squirrels a 7000 Volt surprise, but does not affect birds. 7000 V DC doesn't harm 'em, but they sure do lose bladder control. Look for it in catalogs and online in time for Xmas 2005.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Bobert
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 10:06 PM

Squirrels ain't like rats at all.... They are a lot smarter, GUEST... I mean, alot!. Plus they can climb trees and walk across electrical wires... Rats ain't smart 'nuff to do that...

Now, as fir the squirrel population. Sure, if you feed 'um regulatilly it will grow somewhat but not as much as you'd think. The reason for this is that the population is based more upon other factors, such as nut bearing trees and preditors (i.e. cars). The squirrel is smart 'nuff to not have to depend on people's generosity...

But keep a bag of dried corn 'round anyway if you have snow in where you live 'cause they sure do appreciate it when they can't scrounge around for buried stuff...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 10:15 PM

Squirrels are better problem solvers than most people. No matter how you define intelligence, squirrels are INTELLIGENT. They are probably at the helm of many UFO's. Oooops, wrong thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Bert
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 10:58 PM

Bobert, rats make much better pets than squirrels.

bbc. just shoot the little buggers, they are spreading bubonic plague here in Colorado Springs.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 11 Nov 04 - 11:37 PM

To answer the question, Birds are more fragile than squirrels. Their fast metabolisms make it harder for them to survive. Feed the birds. Except pigeons, that is.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: tarheel
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 01:13 AM

when i can,i feed them buckshot from my shotgun!!!works everytime!
too dang many squirrels around our place...
too many deer too!
someone hits a deer on the highway here at least 4 or 5 times a week!i'm talking year 'round,too!
greedy developers are tearing up the landscapes now and the deer have no place to hide! the beautiful creatures are constantly on the move!
dang shame,too!

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 01:16 AM

feed them to what?

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 02:32 AM

Yup, tarheel. I don't plan to start feeding the deer. I've had 2 accidents & several close calls. There's more than enough of them around w/out my help!

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Oaklet
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 04:49 AM

In the UK, DEFRA has has real downer on the grey squirrel and quite rightly so in my opinion.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/rds/publications/technical/TAN_09.pdf

Contains the warning that it is illegal to release trapped squirrels which should be killed by a blow to the head or shot "with a suitable weapon". It also mentions that trapped squirrels should not be drowned as it is inhumane.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 07:52 AM

The cute little buggers are quite able to provide for themselves. In autumn they collect nuts and pile up several depots. They sleep through the winter, occasionally waking up and getting their food out of their depots.
That is the way a squirrel should behave. If it does otherwise, esp. in grey uniforms, feed them poisoned burgers. They might be camouflaged rats.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Bobert
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 09:05 AM

Bert,

I disagree. I've had both a rat and a squirrel as pets and I much preferred the squirrel. Yeah, they are more nervous of the two but they are more playfull than the rat and tons more smarter than the rat... My squirrel live in a bird cage in my bedroom and would open the door to get in and open it to get out... The rat couldn't have done this in a million years. Plus the squirrel had better bathroom habits. The rat was like a cow. Where ever and when ever... The squirrel would co to his cage and us the newspaper in the bottom of the cage...

So you can keep yer rats, thank you. I'll take the squirrels...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 12:02 PM

If the red squirrels are preferable, why not not dye the grey squirrels red. A quick shampoo and rinse all round and there would be no further need for beastliness of the kind hinted at. There is always a sensible peaceful solution , if only we look for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: annamill
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 03:56 PM

Rabbits are rodents too, ya know? My Mom, from South Carolina, used to cook us Southern Fried rabbit and I loved it. Then I saw a rabbit skinned and it looked just like a big RAT! I just cannot eat them anymore. Cute though, huh? In the American definition. Not too bright.
My daughter has pet rat. He's an adorable little thing.

My crazy son has three (3) snakes and feeds them rats. It's a crazy world.

Annamill

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Bert
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 04:21 PM

Hi Bobert, we had a different experience with rats. We found them to be much more friendly than our squirrels.

They were naturally potty trained and would only go in one corner of their cage. One time when we were out of town the kids neglected them. They escaped from their cages (which were aquariums) and set up their own little community. One cage was reserved for their potty, one for the nursery and all the mums brought their brats into the one place and they took turns in caring for them and yet another cage was the adult living quarters. Their dining room was the bag of food. Although they were running free they never pooped anywhere else but the cage which they had chosen for that purpose.

The squirrels on the other hand were real monsters. If they got out they would poop anywhere and chew on anything and everything. Really destructive and not very friendly. They would let us handle them but would not play with us.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 06:49 PM

I'd choose squirrels any time over people who shoot squirrels...

Any day when a sqirrel crosses your path is a lucky day, and that means that, around our way this time of year, every day is likely to be a lucky day.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Gypsy
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 08:51 PM

Don't know about corn, but they just about decimate our strawberries. Would be fine, if they would just take whole berries. But they taste EVERYTHING along the row. And people just won't pay top dollar for organic berries with bites in them. Even if i tell them that is "proof" of no poison!

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Bobert
Date: 12 Nov 04 - 09:19 PM

Bret,

Okay, friendly? Yeah, the rat wins...

But now entertainin'... I'll still take the squirrel... Mine would get on top of my head and crack nuts and eat... No, not my head, dang it. Other nuts...

Now as fir bathroom habits, yer squirrels must not have been raised is infants. Mine was. I found him when he was only about2 inches long and used an eyedropper to feed him... He didn't know of "bad squirrel bathroom habits" because he didn't know any other squirrels... He was definately newpaper trained... And he was as friendly as a nervous critter can be... I'd go fir walks with him and he would run around outside but always come back... Sniff... Wish I still had that squirrel...

Maybe that's why I like to take care of them when it freezes up... But don't expect me to drive down into the alley's in D.C. with table scraps fir them rats... Won't happen...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 09:34 AM

After watching my feeder for a few days, I've tentatively decided on a moderate squirrel position. I'll let him feed some, but will discourage him from staying long at the feeder. I have to admit, he looks pretty cute hanging upside down!

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Nov 04 - 06:13 PM

Squirrels are a sheer delight, both to watch and to feed. They make great pets too. They are smarter than the average Texan, and far less dangerous. Feed them, I say!

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Raptor
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 08:27 AM

Annamill
Rabbits are not Rodents they are "Lagomorphs" From the name of the Order Lagomorpha which means Hair-shaped.

Unlike rodents Lagomorphs have a second pair of upper incisors!
Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 09:12 AM

I know a salon where they do lagomorphs for the same price as rodents, concessions for pensioners though.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 08:48 PM

I think I had a 2nd squirrel visitor this am. He was a riot. Unlike the 1st one, who mastered the technique of holding onto the top of the feeder & hanging upside down, this one kept sliding down the pole. After several tries, he contented himself w/ the seeds on the ground. Fine w/ me. This same week, I discovered I had indoor mice. Caught one in my Hav-a-Heart trap the 1st day I set it, w/ peanut butter. Released him in the field across the street. I hope his sense of direction isn't very good. I'm not big on killing creatures.

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Raptor
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 09:00 PM

Mice Can and will return to the same house if released up to 1 KM away and sometimes in the same day!

No Shit!

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Peace
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 09:09 PM

That is true. Did that once with a deer mouse. Darn thing came back from about 500 yards away. Caught him again and took him for a looooooog drive. Never saw him after that.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 10:08 PM

Oh, well. I put the trap out again. We'll see. I just can't use the glue traps or the ones that smoosh them. This one had been under the kitchen sink. I stuffed steel wool around the pipe. Any chance that may help?

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Peace
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 10:20 PM

Yes. Steel wool drives them nuts. Iron sheep where you live, bbc?

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 04:06 AM

homing mice!

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 08:12 AM

Boy, were you guys right! It's good I set the trap again. He's baaaaak! Guess I'll try a longer trip tonight.

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 08:25 AM

Yo bbc,

Better keep an eye on yoer feeded. If Mr. Squirrel defeats it then he will teach every squirrel within miles how to do it and that is not good fir the birds... You may find that you have just entered into a new phase of yer life where you are like in this big chess game with the squirrels. Now, I love 'em but I love the birds too and so you have to be mindfull that the birds will spill enough to keep te squirrels happy so don't feel at all guilty for trying to outwit the squirrels. They don't mind. Really. It gives them new problems to try and solve...

But don't forget, if you get snow where you live, to keep some dried corn around to throw out under the birdfeeder when it snows...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 08:07 PM

Bobert,

"don't expect me to drive down into the alley's in D.C. with table scraps fir them rats... Won't happen..."

What a terrible thing to say about our duly elected officials!

ROTFLMAO!

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 09:37 PM

Bobert,

I'll see about some corn for the squirrels--cracked or whole kernel? Today, my feeder was emptied in 1 day, not 2!

Barbara

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Raptor
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:19 AM

Squirrel Proofing a birdfeeder can be done by hanging a 2 foot stovepipe from the pole just below the feeder if the are no trees the little bastards can jump from! Feeder must be 6 feet tall. Mesh needs to block the top of the stovepipe!

Raptor

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Crystal
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:26 AM

A cat is an effective way of keeping down the squirrils. Unfortunatly they have a nasty habit of eating the poor defencless birds too :-(
Feeding the squirrils is risky, they come back for more.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 11:47 AM

We've got three in our yard. I don't mind them copping some bird food because they make great exercise machines for our corgis. The squirrels might be getting a little too fat though. A couple weeks ago our female corgi Voodoo was what you might call GRAVID! I don't think I've ever seen a dog so pregnant before! Anyway she went out the door like a shot and nearly got one. It must be rather embarassing for the squirrel to have almost been caught by her in her condition. Come to think of it it must have been a pretty frightening scene what with her teats swinging to either side as she ran him down!

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 02:04 PM

What you need is to get squirrels in your loft, you would'nt feed them again! I feed mine with .22 gauge.

cheers, Terry

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: grumpy al
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 02:21 PM

sure I feed em. fattens em up nicely for the pan

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:04 PM

I used to have a bird table, or so I thought, it turned out I was running a delicatessen for the sparrow hawks.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: bbc
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:15 PM

Boy, we really seem to have people who feel strongly on both sides of this argument. I'm still curious, if I want to feed, if it should be whole kernel or cracked corn.

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 09:21 PM

Barring that you live on a farm or that your neighbors have a garden, you should use whole kernel-on the cob. It makes them work for it. It doesn't harm them to put them through the paces to get it and you'd be surprised how intelligent they are. If you feed them nuts you may want to use an unshelled nut. If it is still in shell most times they won't eat it, they just bury it (tearing up your lawn in the process) I've never seen them dig one back up so it must be a natural tree planting deal rather than hiding them for later.

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 17 Nov 04 - 08:04 AM

Thanks, Chief Chaos!

bbc

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 02:50 AM

Squirrels have fed ME. Rather tastey.

Cy Littlebee's book "Guide to cooking Fish and Game" has a half dozen recipies for squirrel.

I've used them in chili but barbqued or stewed is more common.

Out here in Missouri we have reds and greys, the reds are a bit dumb. Way too easy to hunt. I use a .22 rifle (with scope) I can usually get my limit (5) each day. Hunting squirrel with a .22 is good practice for deer hunting. Aim for their eyes (aim small, miss small) then the meat (what little there is) won't be spoiled.

Do NOT cut or puncture the bladder when skinning.

Biscuits and squirrel gravey for breakfast is a real treat.

Coyote Breath

Subject: RE: BS: Feeding Squirrels--Pro/Con?
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Nov 04 - 08:31 AM

The fox that lives in our garden helps to keep the grey squirrel population down, but I'm happy to feed all the wildlife.

Birds and squirrels get fed & watered daily & the fox gets all our scraps (& other food) to save him looking in the binbags locally. The cat watches the birds and squirrels & is entertained and gets excercise. When it's sunny & there are cubs they sunbathe or play with the cat (got some lovely pics!). All in all it's a magical garden & brings us all some stability & joy.

Works for me anyway....