Squirrels vs. birdcage Screens

[RouseysMom]

I’m a new Villager and loving my birdcage screened Patio in the village of Mallory Hills. However, in just one week I’ve already had a squirrel chew a hole in the upper section. I’ve seen the little rascal go from tree to roof to walking on my cage. My puppy is also driven crazy by this little friend. Any suggestions on how to deter squirrels from my birdcage screens? I left my red rider BB gun back in Cleveland....

[graciegirl]

I’m a new Villager and loving my birdcage screened Patio in the village of Mallory Hills. However, in just one week I’ve already had a squirrel chew a hole in the upper section. I’ve seen the little rascal go from tree to roof to walking on my cage. My puppy is also driven crazy by this little friend. Any suggestions on how to deter squirrels from my birdcage screens? I left my red rider BB gun back in Cleveland....

Chew a hole??? I haven't ever heard of a that in all of the long time I have been reading this forum. I have always been concerned that the little rascals would damage with their claws, but that hasn't happened. I think they like to taunt our two kitties. I don't know what to do about squirrels, they are usually attracted to food. Do you have a fruit tree or a palm that has some sort of fruit? We don't but they still occasionally run across the top. No holes ever.

[thelegges]

I’m a new Villager and loving my birdcage screened Patio in the village of Mallory Hills. However, in just one week I’ve already had a squirrel chew a hole in the upper section. I’ve seen the little rascal go from tree to roof to walking on my cage. My puppy is also driven crazy by this little friend. Any suggestions on how to deter squirrels from my birdcage screens? I left my red rider BB gun back in Cleveland....

We have same problem, the squirrel climbs up the side of the birdcage, across the top of the birdcage, then runs along the roof of house. Then climbs down the screen at our front door. Then next day may do it in reverse. It sets off our cameras either way. Might be a good funniest home video.

A couple of areas that looks like the screen has a run similar to in your stockings. Have had the screen guy out twice to do repairs. We have no birdfeeders and no trees that’s not it.

He did suggest an owl or some thing fluttering to put on top of the birdcage to deterrent. He did say sometimes nothing works

[Dana1963]

We have same problem, the squirrel climbs up the side of the birdcage, across the top of the birdcage, then runs along the roof of house. Then climbs down the screen at our front door. Then next day may do it in reverse. It sets off our cameras either way. Might be a good funniest home video.

A couple of areas that looks like the screen has a run similar to in your stockings. Have had the screen guy out twice to do repairs. We have no birdfeeders and no trees that’s not it.

He did suggest an owl or some thing fluttering to put on top of the birdcage to deterrent. He did say sometimes nothing works
I tried the OWL, seems to amuse the squirrels and sometimes they perched right next to it.

[tophcfa]

I’m a new Villager and loving my birdcage screened Patio in the village of Mallory Hills. However, in just one week I’ve already had a squirrel chew a hole in the upper section. I’ve seen the little rascal go from tree to roof to walking on my cage. My puppy is also driven crazy by this little friend. Any suggestions on how to deter squirrels from my birdcage screens? I left my red rider BB gun back in Cleveland....

I wish I had an answer for you, we have the same problem. The dam things have chewed three holes where the roof trusses intersect in the upper section of our birdcage. I will be watching this thread to see if someone has a good solution.

FYI, ace hardware sells a screen patch that is easy to apply and seems to have fixed the holes.

[Blackie]

Go to Amazon and look at Ultrasonic pest/squirrel repellers.

I have no idea if they work but check the reviews, it maybe worth trying one.

[Chi-Town]

Much to my dismay I saw the cat and a squirrel hanging on the screen opposite each other.

[agnesd]

I used to squirt them with my kids super soaker water gun LOL

[Marilyn RIccio]

Repels-All Animal Repellent Spray on screens works well. Home Depot or Lowes..

[Pillowtalk]

I spread black pepper all around the birdcage. I buy it at the dollar store.

[Fisherman]

Had the same thing happen when I lived on the golf course. Sold that house last year after paying T and D $2000 to replace the birdcage. The house was 10 years old, about the life expectancy of the screen in Florida sun. In addition, when they did the home inspection for the sale, I had to replace all the vents on the roof. Who would have known... they chewed on all of them trying to get in. He showed me the damage, unbelievable. Was told you can not get rid of them. Best suggestion, IMO, was the pepper.

[geobet]

We had the same problem. Squirrels love to torment our 2 dogs. We boiled red pepper flakes in water, strained the solution, placed it in a spray bottle, and sprayed the screens where the chewing was occurring. One chomp and good bye squirrel. Good luck

[Chuckndianne]

Remove the seed pods from your palm trees as soon as you see them. Keep the seeds from accumulating on the ground. Nail rat poison on the trees that have branches overhanging your roof. Get a B-B or pellet gun & use it. Or treat them as a tolerable pest & they will cause major roof damage. And if this has been going on for awhile, you need to have the inside of your attic checked. The damage they do inside to your wiring can cause you to lose your house & possibly your life to a house fire.

[londonsquare]

I tried it......Didn’t work

[JanetMM]

I’m a new Villager and loving my birdcage screened Patio in the village of Mallory Hills. However, in just one week I’ve already had a squirrel chew a hole in the upper section. I’ve seen the little rascal go from tree to roof to walking on my cage. My puppy is also driven crazy by this little friend. Any suggestions on how to deter squirrels from my birdcage screens? I left my red rider BB gun back in Cleveland....

Do you have any type of food or seeds in your birdcage?

I had bird food INSIDE a plastic bag and that bag INSIDE a scented trash bag, INSIDE a locked trash can.

Within one day those little critters had gnawed a few big holes in the screen.
One of the squirrels was running around inside my birdcage. My 80 pound lab was going CRAZY at the sliding door trying to get the squirrel. The squirrel was going CRAZY in the birdcage trying to get back out. And I was going CRAZY trying to get out to chase the squirrel by going out the side door and holding the screen door open so it would find its way out! It’s funny NOW!

As to keeping the squirrels from running over the top and climbing it’s a little harder. The squirrels stole the bird food and then sat on top of the cage eating. Or they just loved to hang upside down on the sides of the cage. Sort of like physical therapy. They used to play tag running up, across and down the birdcage. It sounded like an earthquake! But once I stopped feeding the birds the squirrels disappeared also.

Anyway, I am Cleveland also! East side or West for you? In fact my baby bro had his ceremony for becoming a Navy Captain at the CHRISTMAS STORY house with the “You’ll shoot your eye out” BB gun and the Leg Lamp
Stay safe all. !

[Daddymac]

Buy a New Gun !!

[Skip]

Repels-All Animal Repellent Spray on screens works well. Home Depot or Lowes..

BINGO ! We use it too. Just gotta keep re-spraying after about two rainfalls.

Skip

[airstreamingypsy]

Nail rat poison on the trees that have branches overhanging your roof.

I assume you enjoy seeing the raptors in The Villages, The Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Owls and Hawks, to name a few. Nailing rat poison to trees will guarantee that some will dies a painful death. The squirrel eats the poison, staggers around, the raptor eats it.... the raptor dies. Please don't poison raptor food.

[JohnN]

Repels-All Animal Repellent Spray on screens works well. Home Depot or Lowes..


or spray some ammonia on the screen

[wisbad1]

I used to squirt them with my kids super soaker water gun LOL
Try hornets spray, little shot works great!

[Shelby62]

I know squirrels can be annoying, but also so cute. Try using Dried Blood, or Bloodmeal, and sprinkle on the ground around your lanai (also works in flower beds). It's available at ACE Hardware. I've used it for years. It's an old St. Clair Shores, Michigan, trick!

[rmd2]

If you have any bird food, dog food, cat food, human food (any food at all on the lanai) those squirrels will try to get to it. I used to have a bag of bird seed triple wrapped on my lanai and the squirrels would still try to get to it. They can see what it is and they are very smart. I finally had to put the triple wrapped bird seed in my garage.
ps. the squirrels broke two of my bird feeders.

[jimjamuser]

Buy a pellet gun or a Red Ryder Black Bart squirrel BB gun. Good hunting. Don't shoot you EYE out!

[afecher]

Squirrels would dig up new plants I had around the house. I found after spreading around dried blood (can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot Nursery) they would not go near the plants. The dried blood does have a musty smell but eventually dissipates.

[jpvillager]

Do not keep your gas grill inside the cage. It attracts rats. Squirrels?

[graciegirl]

Do you have any type of food or seeds in your birdcage?

I had bird food INSIDE a plastic bag and that bag INSIDE a scented trash bag, INSIDE a locked trash can.

Within one day those little critters had gnawed a few big holes in the screen.
One of the squirrels was running around inside my birdcage. My 80 pound lab was going CRAZY at the sliding door trying to get the squirrel. The squirrel was going CRAZY in the birdcage trying to get back out. And I was going CRAZY trying to get out to chase the squirrel by going out the side door and holding the screen door open so it would find its way out! It’s funny NOW!

As to keeping the squirrels from running over the top and climbing it’s a little harder. The squirrels stole the bird food and then sat on top of the cage eating. Or they just loved to hang upside down on the sides of the cage. Sort of like physical therapy. They used to play tag running up, across and down the birdcage. It sounded like an earthquake! But once I stopped feeding the birds the squirrels disappeared also.

Anyway, I am Cleveland also! East side or West for you? In fact my baby bro had his ceremony for becoming a Navy Captain at the CHRISTMAS STORY house with the “You’ll shoot your eye out” BB gun and the Leg Lamp
Stay safe all. !

Well now I have had a misconception corrected. The little pests chew screen. They are cute though.