Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with squirrels

How do you deal with a squirrely tenant?

dinger — Sat, 09 May 2009 06:39:05 -0800

How do I coax a squirrel out of my fireplace flue? I think he likes it in there. A sqirrel has fallen down the fireplace flue. I've taken off the glass cover of the fireplace, opened all the doors, and left him alone in the room for hours. In the past couple of instances, this has always resulted in the little guy becoming emboldened after about an hour, tentatively inching out of the flue and onto the top of the firebox, then making a sudden break out of the fireplace and straight out the nearby open door.

This guy is different. No matter how long we leave him alone, he just sits in there. Sometimes he makes a few dove-like squirrel sounds, and sometimes he shifts positions, but he ain't leavin'. He isn't hurt, as I can clearly see to confirm there's no blood or other sign of injury, and when we approach he can climb a few inches up the flue by grasping a seam, so I know he hasn't got a leg stuck.

Here's the geometry: it's a gas fireplace insert, with about a two inch space between the top of the firebox and the bottom of the flue. The flue opening is covered by a grate, upon which our little guest is sitting. The grate is a flexible, slotted metal affair, welded on at the back and attached at the front with two sheet metal screws. I've removed the screws, bent the grate down at the front, and wedged a piece of scrap lumber in there to hold it open. So, imagine a squirrel in an inverted, one-gallon paint can, with the lid hinged on one side and open about two inches on the other side. And he just sits on the open lid, refusing to come out.

I know the opening is big enough, because I can see his whole head. He's not full grown, perhaps a yearling gray sqirrel about eight inches long with an eight inch tail. I've placed some peanuts and dry dog food a few inches from the opening, but he doesn't seem hungry enough yet.

Have you ever dealt with this before? What are your ideas about coaxing, or forcing, him out? I should add that I'm unwilling to hurt or destroy the little guy until such time as it appears to be the only humane option to prevent a slow death from starvation and/or dehydration. It appears that could be days off.

too many squirrels!

KateHasQuestions — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:31:33 -0800

How can I get rid of squirrels so I can have a balcony garden? I live in an apartment with a huge balcony, yay! I would like to plant a small garden in a planter box with some lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, etc. Problem is, there is a tree whose branches hang right onto my balcony and squirrels like to hang out on the balcony. Is this going to be a problem for the seeds and plants? Will they eat everything I try to grow?

What can I do to get rid of them? Does cayenne pepper or something work? I know it makes cats not want to go near plants. Are there squirrel repellents? Ones that would be safe to use for growing veggies? What would work? Or is my garden-to-be doomed because of the damn rodents? Any suggestions or advice are welcome!

I saw previous threads that had conflicting comments, from "NOTHING will keep squirrels out" to "squirrels aren't really a problem." Which is it? Do squirrels only eat certain vegetables?

Anything that would involve fencing off the balcony or modifying it is not an option, since I rent.

Welcome to the jungle.

peggynature — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:00:47 -0800

What plants can withstand urban squirrel, raccoon, and bird assaults (and might repel flies while they're at it?) I want to have some plants on my balcony this spring. It is a desolate wasteland of urban ghetto.

There are lots of flies, as we are right above the garbage area, and my previous attempts to plant climbing vines for privacy (morning glory) were unceremoniously uprooted by ravenous squirrels. We also have nosy, hungry raccoons and some rather destructive birds.

In addition to a trellis, I also have a suspended pole that would hold hanging baskets. So, what should I plant? And should I grow my own from seed, or purchase grown plants?

(Thank you thank you thank you.)

How do we get rid of nesting squirrel?

Kimberly — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:44:50 -0800

A squirrel is nesting in my friend's car and it keeps coming back. Does anyone have a (non-cruel, non-lethal) way to convince squirrels to find another warm spot? My friend took her (brand new) car in because of a broken headlight and it turns out a squirrel was nesting in her engine and chewing up her electrical system. Over $300 later, the auto guys told her to put mothballs in her car which not only did not repel the squirrel (she saw it climbing out of her car two days later), but apparently generates toxic fumes.

Has anyone had this problem and successfully evicted the squirrel? She lives in an apartment building and doesn't have an assigned spot so she can't set traps or anything like that. I found this stuff, but I have no idea if it works. Any advice based on experience would be much appreciated.

Is it OK to shoot a squirrel with a BB gun?

zzazazz — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:41:57 -0800

If I shoot a squirrel with my BB gun will it just sting the little birdseed thief or will it injure it? Assuming, of course, that I am not hitting it in the eyes.

Why Are Squirrels eating pears and tomatoes?

hexatron — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:37:23 -0800

Why are squirrels eating our pears and our neighbor's tomatoes this year, when previously they ignored them? We have had the pear trees for years and never had this problem before, this year they are all gone already. Also I saw a squirrel try to bury a pear. Hexatron's Wife

What edibles to grow in a garden with small kids in Toronto?

winston — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:20:16 -0800

What edibles should we plant in the garden? Parameters: inexperienced gardeners, Toronto, raccoons and squirrels will be present, items that are exciting/educational for four-year-olds, and it's a plot in a community garden that we probably won't visit every day. I'm thinking that sunflowers will be fun for the kids (is there anything else that has such dramatic results?). Maybe some zucchini, just because that seems to be most likely to get a big crop. The kids are interested in growing tomatoes and carrots. There are already rhubarb and chives growing in the plot which came up again by themselves from last year (when somebody else was using it).

I guess the two main qualities would be: don't need much tending and

I remember hearing that there are some plants (maybe it was garlic or onions?) that will keep raccoons or rodents away.

We can probably water every day initially, but we're planning on scheduling an two one-hour visits per week for working on it, with quick visits on other days if necessary. There is a hose in the garden.

The main purpose is a fun project for the kids. They're excited about eating things that they grew themselves. We've got two parents and two four-year olds from two different households.

Nuts! I've got a squirrel!

DenOfSizer — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:13:10 -0800

A squirrel has built a nest on my fire escape. What's up with all that? If I just leave it there, will it go away come springtime? Or will I be facing a summer of squirrels trying to get into my window? Should I dismantle it? What if the nest-builder is pregnant (seems like a good reason to build a nest, but no observation to back this up), would it be better to dismantle her nest before or after birth, or will they just hang out there a few weeks and begone so I shouldn't make a fuss?

Recommend me an effective Austin company that will get rid of attic squirrels.

23skidoo — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:27:49 -0800

I think I have squirrels in my attic. They make scratching noises, fighting noises, and noises that sound like something is galloping around up there. If you have had a similar experience, can you recommend a good pest control company? I am in Austin, TX. Nice techniques are not important to me. I don't care about catch and release or anything like that. I care about mostly about effectiveness, and I care some about cost.

To eat or not to eat...

Andrhia — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 18:20:43 -0800

Will squirrel spit kill me? The good news: My beloved grandma sent me a package of the special cookies she only makes at Christmastime once every couple of years. I love these cookies.

The bad news: While the package was sitting on my stoop, the squirrels ripped into the package and chewed open the plastic bag the cookies were in. I am unsure whether the squirrels ate any of the cookies or not, as some of them are in pieces, but I don't know if that's an effect of squirrel-tampering or of shipping.

Misc. information: It is freezing cold here. The cookies, liebkuchen, are both very hard and very spicy. I doubt the squirrels cared for them. There was also an orange in the package to keep the cookies fresh, but the squirrels don't appear to have touched it.

The question: So... if I eat the cookies, will I regret it? Only the whole ones? Am I likely to die of rabies, ebola, black plague...? For bonus points, I'm a nursing mom, does this change the risk profile any?

help me get rid of flying squirrels

thinkingwoman — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 08:49:49 -0800

how do i get rid of flying squirrels? they were living in the eaves of the house and somehow got into the attic and thence into the main living space. i have set two traps (one upstairs, one in the kitchen where they seem to hang out) and sprayed some really awful-smelling rodent repellent all over the attic and eaves.

does anyone have any other ideas until i can convince my landlord to call an exterminator? (and believe me, if he doesn't, i'm moving.)

Squirrels in basement?

cleve9 — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:23:24 -0800

Help identify 4 legged house intruder eating birdseed in package in our basement. We found a plastic jar of birdseed on the floor with a small 2 inch by 1/2 inch hole "gnawed" in it. It was originally on the top shelf of a 6 foot high metal shelf unit. Empty shells were found on each of the shelves. We're guessing its a squirrel but want to rule out mice and (god forbid) rats. We live in a wooded neighborhood in downtown Atlanta so it could potentially be any of the above.

Question #2 - How do we get rid of our visitors? We're going to call an exterminator but are considering sending down the dog and/or cat for a day or two. Could this be dangerous for them? Both are good size but not sure if squirrels are mean or could carry rabies. Anyone ever hunted household intruders with their pets?

Anyone know Mike Judge or Stephen Root?

Danelope — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:29:08 -0800

Office Space: Are the squirrels merry or married? I've engaged in a scathing invective-laden debate with several coworkers about a scene in Office Space wherein Milton describes a pair of squirrels. I maintain that the squirrels were "married", a sad testament to Milton living vicariously through rodentia. My naysayers claim that the word in question is "merry".

I need a definitive, preferably firsthand source for verification. User-submitted quotes on IMDB or Wikipedia are insufficient proof for these chuckleheads. I'll be checking the DVD subtitles (assuming there are any) this evening, but even those are created by a third-party vendor. Anyone know Mike Judge or Stephen Root?

Why doesn't my dog eat cat kill?

Secret Life of Gravy — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 08:35:03 -0800

Why does my bulldog ignore dead critters in the house? We have a mighty hunter in our midst, Eustace, the cat, who makes sure we are provided with a corpse or two a day, usually mice, voles, rats, birds, snakes or squirrels. My question is why does my English bulldog, Fanny, completely ignore these offerings? She is a major chow hound who only gets fed once in the morning and spends the rest of day snorking up anything she considers remotely edible. When we go for walks I have to be ever vigilent to guard against her finding old food wrappers or gum or chicken bones, etc.

But she never shows any interest in the cat kill left lying around. Lettuce with a drop of ranch dressing? oh yes! Burnt pizza crust? bring it on. Raw chicken skin? more please. Fresh, bloody rat? that is about as interesting as the rubber band on the floor, no wait...the rubber band deserves a second glance because it might have become edible in the last 2 seconds.

What is most strange to me is that a dead squirrel on our route really makes her day. She would be happy to spend all day sniffing it, but a dead squirrel in our living room is old news.

Why doesn't she show any interest in fresh meat unless I am standing in the kitchen chopping it up for dinner?

Removing unwanted animal residents in our attic

stefnet — Sun, 31 Oct 2004 14:37:20 -0800

We live (rent) on the second floor and attic of a house. The attic is finished in such a way so that there are crawlspaces on each side of the gable, which we use for storage. Something, presumably a squirrel or other manner of rodentia, has taken up residence either in the recesses of one of these crawlspaces or between the floors and scratches away annoyingly, most often at 5:30am. Is there anything we can do to drive the thing away* or should we just invest in a humane trap?

* We have a cat and two dogs live below, so things that emit animal-annoying frequencies are out of the question.

Eradicating Squirrels

y2karl — Tue, 09 Mar 2004 11:47:17 -0800

Personal anecdotes on the topic of Squirrels--how to get rid of them are hereby solicited.

How do I remove squirrels from my eaves?

acridrabbit — Sat, 03 Jan 2004 18:39:53 -0800

Squirrels in our eaves! [more inside] We are trying to evict a squirrel or squirrels from our house. He/she/they have tunneled through a hole in the eaves and eaten away all our expensive Icynene insulation in that area. We covered over the hole today, hoping that the squirrel(s) would not be home while we were doing the work, but they obviously were, since we got home and heard them scratching.

Any ideas on killing or removing squirrels?