Tree Rats

woodsman · Mar 10, 2016

Well, spring has sprung here in NH , actually winter never really got started, last year on this date I still had three feet of snow in my yard. With that the tree rats ( grey squirrels) have been very active both during the mild winter and now. They are more active and bold than usual , just today I had a Mexican stand off with one, leading up to my condo entrance is a brick paved courtyard so one way in and one way out. This little bugger stood his ground all puffed up in a sort of body builder pose. They are also clever, they have bested any bird feeder with the exception of one I have put out, they even know which dogs in the area will not chase them.

The one bird feeder that deterred them was deemed cruel by my condo association. The weight of the squirrel would set off an electric charge (battery operated) and send them flying. I would often sit on my patio and judge the acrobatics after they got jolted , I think the best was a triple back flip with a two and half twist , my dog gave the performance an 8 but I gave it a 9.5. As I said they know which dogs to stay clear of, mine is not one of them, she’s an elderly Newfoundland and has no interest in chasing them. At one time their was a cat around that kept them in check, I think they ganged up on the cat and took it out.

You may be thinking, gee It’s just a few squirrels, you would be wrong , I have at least a dozen just in the wooded section behind my condo and that is multiplied throughout the complex. I can’t even walk to my vehicle without an encounter. I think it will take someone getting bitten to wake the condo association up, most that sit on that board are clueless MA transplants and think this vermin is wildlife.

longview · Mar 10, 2016

woodsman said:
Well, spring has sprung here in NH , actually winter never really got started, last year on this date I still had three feet of snow in my yard. With that the tree rats ( grey squirrels) have been very active both during the mild winter and now. They are more active and bold than usual , just today I had a Mexican stand off with one, leading up to my condo entrance is a brick paved courtyard so one way in and one way out. This little bugger stood his ground all puffed up in a sort of body builder pose. They are also clever, they have bested any bird feeder with the exception of one I have put out, they even know which dogs in the area will not chase them.

The one bird feeder that deterred them was deemed cruel by my condo association. The weight of the squirrel would set off an electric charge (battery operated) and send them flying. I would often sit on my patio and judge the acrobatics after they got jolted , I think the best was a triple back flip with a two and half twist , my dog gave the performance an 8 but I gave it a 9.5. As I said they know which dogs to stay clear of, mine is not one of them, she’s an elderly Newfoundland and has no interest in chasing them. At one time their was a cat around that kept them in check, I think they ganged up on the cat and took it out.

You may be thinking, gee It’s just a few squirrels, you would be wrong , I have at least a dozen just in the wooded section behind my condo and that is multiplied throughout the complex. I can’t even walk to my vehicle without an encounter. I think it will take someone getting bitten to wake the condo association up, most that sit on that board are clueless MA transplants and think this vermin is wildlife.

Squirrel Sauce Piquante
Real Cajun Cooking - Pure and Simple: Squirrel Sauce Piquante

PirateMk1 · Mar 10, 2016

longview said:
Squirrel Sauce Piquante
Real Cajun Cooking - Pure and Simple: Squirrel Sauce Piquante

Ahh the old stand by. If you cant beat them, eat them. :mrgreen:

iguanaman · Mar 10, 2016

woodsman said:
Well, spring has sprung here in NH , actually winter never really got started, last year on this date I still had three feet of snow in my yard. With that the tree rats ( grey squirrels) have been very active both during the mild winter and now. They are more active and bold than usual , just today I had a Mexican stand off with one, leading up to my condo entrance is a brick paved courtyard so one way in and one way out. This little bugger stood his ground all puffed up in a sort of body builder pose. They are also clever, they have bested any bird feeder with the exception of one I have put out, they even know which dogs in the area will not chase them.

The one bird feeder that deterred them was deemed cruel by my condo association. The weight of the squirrel would set off an electric charge (battery operated) and send them flying. I would often sit on my patio and judge the acrobatics after they got jolted , I think the best was a triple back flip with a two and half twist , my dog gave the performance an 8 but I gave it a 9.5. As I said they know which dogs to stay clear of, mine is not one of them, she’s an elderly Newfoundland and has no interest in chasing them. At one time their was a cat around that kept them in check, I think they ganged up on the cat and took it out.

You may be thinking, gee It’s just a few squirrels, you would be wrong , I have at least a dozen just in the wooded section behind my condo and that is multiplied throughout the complex. I can’t even walk to my vehicle without an encounter. I think it will take someone getting bitten to wake the condo association up, most that sit on that board are clueless MA transplants and think this vermin is wildlife.

It is a little known fact that humans evolved from tree dwelling squirrel-like creatures millions of years ago and today scientists have found squirrels to be the most intelligent of rodents. You might think they are your nemisis but they may be your replacement in another few million years. :lol:

longview · Mar 10, 2016

PirateMk1 said:
Ahh the old stand by. If you cant beat them, eat them. :mrgreen:

Reminds me of the joke about the Zoo in Louisiana.
Under the cage is the animals, common name, the Scientific name, and the recipe!

PirateMk1 · Mar 10, 2016

iguanaman said:
It is a little known fact that humans evolved from tree dwelling squirrel-like creatures millions of years ago and today scientists have found squirrels to be the most intelligent of rodents. You might think they are your nemisis but they may be your replacement in another few million years. :lol:

Hence the reason to eat them.

woodsman · Mar 10, 2016

longview said:
Squirrel Sauce Piquante
Real Cajun Cooking - Pure and Simple: Squirrel Sauce Piquante

I would harvest these buggers all day long If I could. This is my southern NH winter home, more urban than rural. Shooting them even with a pellet gun brings the police to your home. As I’m typing this from my home office I’m watching six of these tree rats. My thinking is with the mild winter and no real snow cover they are out of food and desperate. Does anyone know the simple three steps to process a squirrel for eating? My grandfather taught it to me, he didn’t even use a knife. But for this a knife is ok to not offend the flat-landers.

Bill Fishlore · Mar 10, 2016

D-Con does the trick

woodsman · Mar 10, 2016

Bill Fishlore said:
D-Con does the trick

Yes, let’s kill every cat and dog that walks thru my yard, are you serious?

Bill Fishlore · Mar 10, 2016

woodsman said:
Yes, let’s kill every cat and dog that walks thru my yard, are you serious?

Of course I'm serious. D-Con pellets in your bird feeder won't be eaten by birds, dogs or cats. They are a safe, humane form of rodent control. Cats by the way, are an invasive species and should not be outdoors where they are responsible for the deaths of many native species of birds. D-Con is not a poison. I take 5 mg a day myself for atrial fibrillation. Dogs don't like it and would have to eat quite a bit to be harmed. I am serious and, to judge by your response, better-informed about rodent control than you or your silly condo pals. Why do you post so rudely?

woodsman · Mar 10, 2016

Bill Fishlore said:
Of course I'm serious. D-Con pellets in your bird feeder won't be eaten by birds, dogs or cats. They are a safe, humane form of rodent control. Cats by the way, are an invasive species and should not be outdoors where they are responsible for the deaths of many native species of birds. D-Con is not a poison. I take 5 mg a day myself for atrial fibrillation. Dogs don't like it and would have to eat quite a bit to be harmed. I am serious and, to judge by your response, better-informed about rodent control than you or your silly condo pals. Why do you post so rudely?

Please remove this post from the board, If someone was to take it seriously it would go badly.

woodsman · Mar 10, 2016

Bill Fishlore said:
Of course I'm serious. D-Con pellets in your bird feeder won't be eaten by birds, dogs or cats. They are a safe, humane form of rodent control. Cats by the way, are an invasive species and should not be outdoors where they are responsible for the deaths of many native species of birds. D-Con is not a poison. I take 5 mg a day myself for atrial fibrillation. Dogs don't like it and would have to eat quite a bit to be harmed. I am serious and, to judge by your response, better-informed about rodent control than you or your silly condo pals. Why do you post so rudely?

Canceling Some d-CON Mouse and Rat Control Products | Controlling Rodents and Regulating Rodenticides | US EPA

Bill Fishlore · Mar 10, 2016

woodsman said:
Canceling Some d-CON Mouse and Rat Control Products | Controlling Rodents and Regulating Rodenticides | US EPA

Quite so. The issue is one of products sold without a protective trap. Many bird feeders can be used as protective traps as birds will not eat the pellets but squirrels climbing to the feeder will. It is also to be noted that using rodenticide on squirrels is prohibited in some areas. Check with that condo board.

An alternative to the squirrel feeder problem is to lace the bird seed with cayenne pepper, which birds cannot taste and squirrels do not like. If the problem is simply squirrels taking bird seed, this approach is adequate. If, as the OP seems to suggest there is a larger problem, rodenticide may be called for. Rodents can vector a number of diseases, including Lyme disease as Lyme-infected ticks often travel from deer and moose in forested areas via rodents to chic suburban condominium communities.

Redress · Mar 10, 2016

Bill Fishlore said:
Of course I'm serious. D-Con pellets in your bird feeder won't be eaten by birds, dogs or cats. They are a safe, humane form of rodent control. Cats by the way, are an invasive species and should not be outdoors where they are responsible for the deaths of many native species of birds. D-Con is not a poison. I take 5 mg a day myself for atrial fibrillation. Dogs don't like it and would have to eat quite a bit to be harmed. I am serious and, to judge by your response, better-informed about rodent control than you or your silly condo pals. Why do you post so rudely?

You also drink fluoride in your drinking water. It works because it is a poison. The active ingredient(depending on the actual product) of D-Con is either Diphacinone or Brodifacoum, both poisins, and highly toxic.

woodsman · Mar 14, 2016

woodsman said:
Well, spring has sprung here in NH , actually winter never really got started, last year on this date I still had three feet of snow in my yard. With that the tree rats ( grey squirrels) have been very active both during the mild winter and now. They are more active and bold than usual , just today I had a Mexican stand off with one, leading up to my condo entrance is a brick paved courtyard so one way in and one way out. This little bugger stood his ground all puffed up in a sort of body builder pose. They are also clever, they have bested any bird feeder with the exception of one I have put out, they even know which dogs in the area will not chase them.

The one bird feeder that deterred them was deemed cruel by my condo association. The weight of the squirrel would set off an electric charge (battery operated) and send them flying. I would often sit on my patio and judge the acrobatics after they got jolted , I think the best was a triple back flip with a two and half twist , my dog gave the performance an 8 but I gave it a 9.5. As I said they know which dogs to stay clear of, mine is not one of them, she’s an elderly Newfoundland and has no interest in chasing them. At one time their was a cat around that kept them in check, I think they ganged up on the cat and took it out.

You may be thinking, gee It’s just a few squirrels, you would be wrong , I have at least a dozen just in the wooded section behind my condo and that is multiplied throughout the complex. I can’t even walk to my vehicle without an encounter. I think it will take someone getting bitten to wake the condo association up, most that sit on that board are clueless MA transplants and think this vermin is wildlife.

Good news, The tree rats are in hiding or lunch for a pair of red tailed hawks. The last two mornings while drinking coffee on my patio I marveled at this bird of prey perched and waiting one at each end of this hunting corridor. I’m pretty certain this pair are working together, the wooded corridor 1/4 mile with an open fly zone next to it must be easy pickings for the vermin. I may fill the bird feeder to entice the tree rats out into the open.

beerftw · Mar 14, 2016

Bill Fishlore said:
Quite so. The issue is one of products sold without a protective trap. Many bird feeders can be used as protective traps as birds will not eat the pellets but squirrels climbing to the feeder will. It is also to be noted that using rodenticide on squirrels is prohibited in some areas. Check with that condo board.

An alternative to the squirrel feeder problem is to lace the bird seed with cayenne pepper, which birds cannot taste and squirrels do not like. If the problem is simply squirrels taking bird seed, this approach is adequate. If, as the OP seems to suggest there is a larger problem, rodenticide may be called for. Rodents can vector a number of diseases, including Lyme disease as Lyme-infected ticks often travel from deer and moose in forested areas via rodents to chic suburban condominium communities.

Normal people aka rednecks just shoot and eat the squirrels, problem solved.

the_recruit · Mar 14, 2016

Bill Fishlore said:
Of course I'm serious. D-Con pellets in your bird feeder won't be eaten by birds, dogs or cats. They are a safe, humane form of rodent control. Cats by the way, are an invasive species and should not be outdoors where they are responsible for the deaths of many native species of birds. D-Con is not a poison. I take 5 mg a day myself for atrial fibrillation. Dogs don't like it and would have to eat quite a bit to be harmed. I am serious and, to judge by your response, better-informed about rodent control than you or your silly condo pals. Why do you post so rudely?

woodsman said:
Please remove this post from the board, If someone was to take it seriously it would go badly.

calamity · Mar 14, 2016

Maybe get a dog that chases squirrels. Of course, rare is a pup that will actually catch one.

Tree Rats

woodsman

longview

PirateMk1

iguanaman

longview

PirateMk1

woodsman

Bill Fishlore

New member

woodsman

Bill Fishlore

New member

woodsman

woodsman

Bill Fishlore

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Redress

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woodsman

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