tntiger
Junior Member
Posts: 33
Joined: July 2011
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Post by tntiger on Aug 3, 2011 13:21:12 GMT -5
For the last week or so I've been trying to determine what was eating my tomatoes. This morning I got visual confirmation that it is a squirrel . . . between my two German Shepherds and the plastic mesh draped over the garden we had it captured for a moment! Unfortunately I chickened out and called the dogs off because I didn't want them to get a mouthful of squirrel.
Anyway, I've already lost about half of my tomatoes (or more) and would like to salvage what I can. I've got the entire garden surrounded by plastic mesh - it's completely covered but not 100% secured. I know a squirrel can get in - it was just the best I could do.
Any suggestions on how to keep the squirrels out?
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Post by daylilydude on Aug 3, 2011 16:09:17 GMT -5
Cats make great yard pets...
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Post by nofeargardener on Aug 3, 2011 16:38:48 GMT -5
MAN!!! frustrating! I've got a pellet/BB gun sitting atop my fridge - which is right next to the window that overlooks my garden. For several weeks, I was very vigilant. As soon as I saw one of those fat lil buggers, POP! Right in the rump! Eventually, the word got out. I haven't seen nearly as many since then. The other thing you could do is to apply some cayenne pepper around the plants. Just be careful to wash ur maters b4 eating though! Also... you'll have to reapply after it rains. Hang in there! And I agree with DLD about the cat. Especially if u can keep an outside barn cat.
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tntiger
Junior Member
Posts: 33
Joined: July 2011
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Post by tntiger on Aug 3, 2011 17:43:04 GMT -5
I can't see the garden from the house - it's behind a brick wall and the yard slopes down so other than the tops of a few tomato plants it's hidden. I'd have to sit in the yard and wait for the squirrel to show up. I wish I could! I've thought about a cat but I'd prefer it if the neighbors would get one I did put cayenne pepper around the plants - I ran out but they have more at the store!
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Post by stratcat on Aug 3, 2011 21:53:15 GMT -5
I do live trap pests like these and release them out in the country. We bought live traps, though our County Animal Control has some to loan.
Good luck!
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izzy
Pro Member
Posts: 347
Joined: July 2011
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Post by izzy on Aug 5, 2011 22:05:51 GMT -5
I have pecan trees along one fenceline in my backyard - so squirrels are a perpetual problem. They eat my maters & melons. After years of battling them here's what works (& well!) for me: Plastic clamshells saved from purchased strawberries and such. For some reason, squirrels have never attempted to bite thru them - although I'm sure they could. A few years ago, when I didn't have enough for all the maters ripening at once, I used cheap plastic baggies that I tied over the toms. These get very hot inside and risk rupturing the tom from heat. I cut slits into the bags for ventilation thinking the squirrels would have an open door invitation - not so. Mabe it's the rustling of plastic they don't like, or mabe they can't see it well enough to figure it out. Dunno, but it works. Caution tho - only leave the pastic on the toms when they get close to ripening and showing color. The squirrels won't bother with hard, green toms - they know exactly when the ripening begins - from the inside - and then will bite a hole in it to get to the center. Once they are about half-way colored up, I pull them and let them finish on the counter inside. At least it's a way to save them, and besides, I usually need those clamshells for the next ones turning. Start saving them now, and ask family & friends to do so. Mabe you'll have enough toms to share with them!
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Post by stratcat on Aug 5, 2011 22:14:59 GMT -5
Izzy-Thanks for sharing the info and the picture!
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tntiger
Junior Member
Posts: 33
Joined: July 2011
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Post by tntiger on Aug 6, 2011 8:48:29 GMT -5
Plastic clamshells saved from purchased strawberries and such. For some reason, squirrels have never attempted to bite thru them - although I'm sure they could. Thanks - I saw something like this on another board (I can't find the link now). People were using these and clear cups (like a solo cup). I've actually put cups over quite a few tomatoes and they seem to be working (fingers crossed). My garden looks rather odd with cupped tomatoes but if it works, who cares! I'm going to try to save some of these too since they'll be easier to put over the tomato.
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Sept 7, 2011 7:58:00 GMT -5
Gee Izzy, you're lucky that they don't bother your green tomatoes. I've lost several plants and all the tomatoes on them to Squirrels and of late, one big juicy looking Groundhog. The squirrels are also eating my Comfrey leaves, although it's difficult to kill so I'm not concerned about it.
Yesterday, I totally enclosed my Bush Marrow plants for fear that the squash are next to go. The 3 years that I lived in our last house, I never did get a pumpkin or squash. The squirrels thought they were acorns and buried them, grrrrr
Perhaps I will retrieve the clamshells from the recycling bin and hang them out there for a few days to see if that helps? Thanks for the suggestion.
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Post by redneckplanter on Sept 20, 2011 10:24:17 GMT -5
get em lace.i think gulfie has a squirrel soup recipie?smiles sorry to hear about the little vermin....sighs
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Joined: January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2011 21:44:05 GMT -5
Well we have a nice black walnut (that KILLS tomato plants) on the other hand it keeps the squirrels busy.. although I saw one going into my pumpkins with a nut in his mouth and another one got on the deck and planted his winter food in the flowers..I found it though and tossed it..LOL.. what would we do without all the bugs critters and unpredictable weather.. it would be a boring growing season.. OH and we have a few ground hogs no matter how many we take out.. there's one that is the size of a dog.. my boxer chases them once he caught one.. I had her let it go and that booger took off running and crying .. this year we found a mole family living under a tree stump.. well my honey got the starter fluid and poured it down the hole and lit it.. haven't seen them since.. I have 2 cats however.. I won't let them outside they are to prevent anything from coming IN.. my dog gets whats on the outside and LOVES to garden all day with me..
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billh
Pro Member
Posts: 231
Zone:: 6a
Joined: December 2011
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Post by billh on Jan 2, 2012 9:08:19 GMT -5
First heat your oven and make your biscuits, second float the furry little bugger in gravy add a few dumplins and there you go...No more squirrel
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kathyd
Junior Member
Posts: 19
Joined: December 2011
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Post by kathyd on Jan 3, 2012 8:01:21 GMT -5
I bought a few dozen red Christmas ornaments at the dollar store this season...reason, I heard if you place them on your tomato plants before the "real" tomatoes show they might fool the squirrels, and racoons, when the real tomatoes arrive. I think I am also going to make some evil smelling goo up and smear it on the fake toms...It makes me happy just thinking about it. I like the squirrels silly antics in the yard, but draw the line with the tomatoes. They take one bite and move on to another and another. It is SO aggravating.
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Post by coppice on Jan 3, 2012 10:27:32 GMT -5
A have-a-heart trap and a barrel (or trough) of water will fix what ever ails most 'visiting' critters.
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