Oh, those squirrels!
Our backyard is a menagerie of
wildlife…because my husband keeps feeding all the critters! I really
enjoy watching all of them, they do have some fun antics. We have birds,
butterflies, fish, the occasional racoon, opossums, neighborhood cats, and”
the squirrels.”
Because of the squirrels, we have held a lot of funerals in
the backyard.
Items that met their demise range from seat cushions,
pillows, plants, chairs, tables, and the mistaken for a tree (I’m sure) rails
on the wood deck. It’s costly to keep replacing all this stuff!
Year after year, I have been disappointed in those cute menaces
as they seek to get their teeth into everything! They can also get onery if my
husband does not put out the food quick enough for them. They even go to the side
garage door and stare in at him until he notices. Seriously, it’s hilarious to
watch!
A few years ago, I watched a squirrel try to attack a chair
cushion from below the chair. He got his teeth stuck in the stuffing and was
trapped in midair, and with the wind blowing, he looked like a pinwheel spinning around
and around! I was quite entertained watching him, okay, I was laughing at him. It
took him quite a while to get loose, since I offered him absolutely no help. He
made his escape and did so without the stuffing he came for!
This year, since I have the time now, I did some research
and learned more about these teething critters and how to deter them from
destroying things. It was either that or I was going to have to get out the
sling shot. (Just kidding!!! I would never hurt one!)
I found out that their teeth continually grow, so they gnaw
on stuff to keep their teeth filed down. Ok, so I get that, they can’t help
themselves. Still not feeling sorry for them.
I also found out what they don’t like! Now we are getting
somewhere! I finally have an arsenal to work with!
They don’t like coffee grounds! So, I put a layer of grounds
on the top of the soil in my planters. No more digging in the pots and
destroying plants! They also don’t like anything pungent. Easy fix! I planted a few marigold flowers in
the arrangements in the pots, so now they don’t eat the flowers that they are
attracted to.
They don’t like Irish Spring Soap! Who knew! You can rub the
bar of soap on the deck or other hard surface items to detour them.
Squirrels are known to be afraid of the color red. They dislike the color because it is the dominant hue of their greatest foe, the Red-Headed Woodpecker. Maybe re-decorate the deck in red?
You can also go to the store and buy a spray for squirrels.
I didn’t want to do this, because I wanted to make sure that I am using a product
that won’t harm. I dug a little deeper and found that I can make my own spray
with three items that are found around the house! It is so simple, and it
works!
Get a spray bottle. Fill it with 4 cups of water, (you
might have to adjust the water a little less than 4 cups, according to the size
of bottle you have) add 2 tablespoons of hot sauce and 3 drops of
dish soap. Shake the bottle to mix. Liberally spray on furniture, deck,
flowers/pots. I did it daily until I knew that I had everything covered. Now I
use the spray two or three times a week. You should re-apply after it rains. DON’T
SPRAY THE SQUIRRELS WITH THIS SOLUTION! I will hunt you down!
After you spray, wash your hands!!!! Okay, there’s a story
here, you know what I did. I caught some of the spray because of our lovely
wind and forgot to wash my hands. Stuck finger in eye.
I’ll leave you here laughing.
If all else fails, I can just put my cushions and flowers
pots away, NOT! I will WIN!!!
Now, if I can figure out how to keep the neighborhood cat
from spraying my basement window…ALL THE TIME! Gross!
Debra Lee, Author/Keynote Speaker
Blogger/Biz Coach/Life Coach
No comments:
Post a Comment