how to keep squirrels away

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by aquietpath

I hope none of those squirrels had babies they were nursing who have now been left with a mother 5 miles away. I just wish people would learn to live and let live.

Unfortunately you cannot have it both ways. Go into any feed or department store and you will see tons of bird seed. When we “humans” feed birds; we also feed squirrels. By feeding squirrels; we make the problem worse. We helped create those “more” mouths to feed. If nature was left alone we would not have problems – only the strong and the lucky would survive. Most would slowly starve to death.

Last year was a very hard year for my fruit trees. First we had a late frost that killed off most fruit. Then we had a drought and what the drought did not take the crows and squirrels did take.

If you like to eat, which most of us do, we have to control the critters that like to share our harvest. Repellents are great – but the critters only go to the next “free” meal and repellents do wear off. At some time in the future; predators (hawks, owls, fox and coyote) could eventually catch up? In the meantime; nature could use a helping hand.

I would almost guarantee you that you would not buy one piece of fruit that had been previously eaten or pecked at by an animal or bird. Humans are funny that way; we don't like to share!