Talk of The Villages Florida

Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Squirrels on Birdcage? (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/squirrels-birdcage-245157/)

IndianaJones 08-10-2017 06:30 PM

Squirrels on Birdcage?
 
Quite a few squirrels are climbing our birdcage & eating pine cones from nearby trees on it - any ideas on how to stop this? They're putting holes in the screen! Thanks!

pauld315 08-10-2017 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaJones (Post 1434639)
Quite a few squirrels are climbing our birdcage & eating pine cones from nearby trees on it - any ideas on how to stop this? They're putting holes in the screen! Thanks!

Nope

dewilson58 08-10-2017 07:18 PM

Hose off your cage.............without a food supply, they might pick a new dining location.

CassieInVa 08-10-2017 11:52 PM

We have the same problem. They climb up the sides and just watch us sometimes. Worried about them damaging the screen.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...13bdeeffae.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b4ae531ff8.jpg

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

Mrs. Robinson 08-11-2017 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaJones (Post 1434639)
Quite a few squirrels are climbing our birdcage & eating pine cones from nearby trees on it - any ideas on how to stop this? They're putting holes in the screen! Thanks!

Put up a feeder for them and gather the pine cones and put them near or next to the feeder.

They're fun to watch.

rubicon 08-11-2017 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson (Post 1434712)
Put up a feeder for them and gather the pine cones and put them near or next to the feeder.

They're fun to watch.

Don't put bird seed in the feeder or you are going to end up wih a different sort of problem

rubicon 08-11-2017 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaJones (Post 1434639)
Quite a few squirrels are climbing our birdcage & eating pine cones from nearby trees on it - any ideas on how to stop this? They're putting holes in the screen! Thanks!

I am having the exact same problem and in addition they have damaged a number of my wife's favorite plants by foraging in her planters.

The Pine trees belong to the golf course and they are a real nuisance. My gutters are only blocked where the trees sit and pines shed all over the back my property

Yesterday, I j hosed down the remnants on my birdcage of pine cones being eaten by these vermin

johnfarr 08-11-2017 06:17 AM

I've seen the squirrels perched on the screens looking for anoles (geckos) to eat. I never knew they were carnivores until I saw one of them gobbling away.

billethkid 08-11-2017 07:48 AM

We have had them running our bird cage for 13 years.

Thus far no damage to the screens. Seems either a play thing for them (two) and our dog. Or it is just a convenient tree to tree causeway for them.

As long as there is no damage or attempt to get in the house.....let 'em run.

karostay 08-11-2017 07:54 AM

2 methods..Havahart live trap relocated them or Red Rider and a compass in the stock

Carla B 08-11-2017 07:55 AM

[QUOTE=johnfarr;1434745]I've seen the squirrels perched on the screens looking for anoles (geckos) to eat. I never knew they were carnivores until I saw one of them gobbling away.[/QUThey're

Oh, yuck! I thought they were vegetarians.

dewilson58 08-11-2017 09:08 AM

IndianaJones...................use your whip.

:22yikes:

autumnspring 08-11-2017 09:19 AM

If you decide to do this
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by karostay (Post 1434768)
2 methods..Havahart live trap relocated them or Red Rider and a compass in the stock

KEEP IT QUIET.

Squirrels are in fact cute in SOMEONE ELSE'S yard. If, they get into YOUR HOUSE and start nesting, they are dirty rats with a fuzzy tail.

When, we lived in a cold climate, squirrels would chew through the wire in the roof vents and nest in the attic space. They would defecate, tear up insulation, chew wires etc.

Re: havahart trap
Ok so now you've caught ONE-what are you going to do with it? Are your prepared to open the door with a rat running around inside the trap? Based on experience, they look far larger in the trap then climbing on your neighbors property.

Re: Daisy BB gun
A bad choice. I AM NOT ANTIGUN but first of all a Daisy is a low powered BB gun. I doubt it is legal to shoot in your backyard and a hit on a squirrel unless you are very close to it-will not kill it.

You might try MOTH BALLS. You might try one of those inexpensive strobe units, used in store displays and safety equipment. You might try planting HOT PEPPERS-they plants are interesting and squirrels do not like texmex

ggnlars 08-11-2017 10:27 AM

It's the food. Once they have found food out there, they will keep going out on the bird cage looking for more. We need to keep the cages clean of any debris. I would guess a power washer would help blow off the stuff. I'm sure this is a daily chore during certain parts of the year.

GeoGeo 08-11-2017 11:29 AM

We have squirrels on our birdcage, but no damage.

rubicon 08-11-2017 11:38 AM

I've considered hiring a trapper to move these critters from my back yard but then the squirrel population is growing by leaps and bounds. so since nature abhors a vacuum believe I am only making it easier for another family to move in. What's a bloke to do?

Chi33 08-11-2017 01:37 PM

Squirrels are very closely related to rats. Some how rats got the raw end of the stick, but remember, a squirrel is just a semi-cute rat. You can get Salmonella from their droppings and Lyme disease from ticks they may carry. Both are no joke. Squirrels don't really like owls so maybe a fake owl could work.

Barefoot 08-11-2017 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billethkid (Post 1434767)
We have had them running our bird cage for 13 years. Thus far no damage to the screens. As long as there is no damage or attempt to get in the house.....let 'em run.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoGeo (Post 1434833)
We have squirrels on our birdcage, but no damage.

Same here, we've had squirrels for ten years on our birdcage with no damage.
If they start causing damage, I'd hang mothballs from the ceiling of the cage.
They don't hang around much. I think they feel threatened by our two dogs.

Sandtrap328 08-11-2017 02:42 PM

First, I have seen squirrels eat baby birds from the birdnest, so they are not entirely vegans.

Secondly, try target practice with a paintball gun on the squirrels.

HimandMe 08-11-2017 03:13 PM

We had them in our last place. They climbed the cage to get to the food in the trees. They never damaged the cage in the 9 years we were there but provided amusement for our cat. Now when the cat climbs the cage, his weight on the screen was a problem. In short, they are just hungry.

rubicon 08-12-2017 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi33 (Post 1434876)
Squirrels are very closely related to rats. Some how rats got the raw end of the stick, but remember, a squirrel is just a semi-cute rat. You can get Salmonella from their droppings and Lyme disease from ticks they may carry. Both are no joke. Squirrels don't really like owls so maybe a fake owl could work.

I happen to agree with your description they are vermin

I had a problem with barn swallows up north. the state recommended an owl. I placed one near their nest and they walked all over that owl. The state then said well hammer spokes all along the rafters so they can't squat to make a nest. I did and discovered I'd provided studding for their nest making it stronger.

But I am desperate and will try the owl again

Of course all of us would have been spared these sort of problems if God had simply made us all vegans

Mikeod 08-12-2017 08:12 AM

I'm not bothered by the critters on the screen as there is no damage. But my dear wife wishes they would remove their combat boots before running across the roof over our bedroom at 6AM.

Viperguy 08-12-2017 08:30 AM

Pepper spray. Real cute until they are trapped

Barefoot 08-12-2017 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 1434990)
But I am desperate and will try the owl again.

Are you desperate because the squirrels are damaging your birdcage?
There is an owl at our pool to keep the ducks away, but the ducks ignore the owl and swim in the pool anyway.
Have you tried mothballs in your wife's planters?

l2ridehd 08-12-2017 11:08 AM

They will damage the cage eventually. And they also get on the roof and chew the caulking around the furnace vent and vent pipe seam causing that to leak.

I found a super soaker squirt gun caused them to move on. They don't really like getting wet.

Chi-Town 08-12-2017 11:18 AM

Luckily the local squirrels are relatively small.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Barefoot 08-12-2017 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l2ridehd (Post 1435065)
They will damage the cage eventually. And they also get on the roof and chew the caulking around the furnace vent and vent pipe seam causing that to leak. I found a super soaker squirt gun caused them to move on. They don't really like getting wet.

Good suggestion! Both humane and effective. Much better than mothballs.

rubicon 08-12-2017 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 1435039)
Are you desperate because the squirrels are damaging your birdcage?
There is an owl at our pool to keep the ducks away, but the ducks ignore the owl and swim in the pool anyway.
Have you tried mothballs in your wife's planters?

Hi Barefoot: I am concerned that they will create damage to my home because that is what those critters end up doing. I am spending too much time and too much water washing the remnants of pine cones off of my birdcage roof. they killed two of my wife's flowering plants because of their incessant digging.

the pine trees are what has drawn them but the pines belong to the course. I doubt they would agree to cut them down but I am getting desperate enough to ask

HimandMe 08-12-2017 02:55 PM

I'm glad I'm not a wee little squirrel trying to survive.

jeanoh 08-14-2017 06:19 AM

Squirrels have eaten holes in my roof vents, which I covered with the recommended covers from Ace a few months ago. Now, they have eaten edges and holes in both my solar panel tubes as well as my drip lines for irrigation. (Guess they got upset when could not chew on roof vent pipes! ) Solar guy says only way to get rid of them is via ultrasonic rodent and squirrel deterrent box. It should arrive today! Cost $85 a visit for "non warranty" repair to solar, and "lots" of money for drip line water leaks! Sure hope it works!

Bunky1 08-14-2017 08:27 AM

You can try placing a few fake Owls around. Squirrels know they will be eaten by an owl and stay away. You just have to make sure you move the owls from time to time.You can get them at a Yarden center. I had one that was a bobble head so that the head moved in the wind.

OhioBuckeye 08-14-2017 09:45 AM

OhioBuckeye
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by CassieInVa (Post 1434711)
We have the same problem. They climb up the sides and just watch us sometimes. Worried about them damaging the screen.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...13bdeeffae.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b4ae531ff8.jpg

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

I know how I would get rid of them, but I don't think I better say here. I had a Coyote showing up ever morning across the street & he doesn't show up anymore or should I say won't be seen anymore. Better not say anymore!

johnadams 08-14-2017 09:50 AM

Buy a water gun and use it on them. They will soon get the idea they are not welcome.

IndianaJones 08-14-2017 01:30 PM

Thanks to all of you. I bought a "SuperSoaker", I've filled it with cold water and a splash of Ammonia, they seem to hate it. I'll try the "Owl" thing, although I saw a squirrel literally perched on the one down by the pool last week - maybe I'll try one of those solar owls that move, make noise, etc. Mothballs stink up the porch and only last about a week, then they're melted/gone. There was a "fox urine" product I tried before, it worked, but it's incredibly expensive. I'll stick to the water gun, and the traffic out front is helping flatten a few as well!

Ross 08-14-2017 02:33 PM

We have had them running up and down our screen for 17 years with no damage.

tmbromley 08-14-2017 05:44 PM

Squirrels no problem
 
Get out the shotgun and let em have it....😬

rubicon 08-14-2017 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmbromley (Post 1435883)
Get out the shotgun and let em have it....😬

Oops there goes my lanai screen:)

THUNDERCHIEF 08-14-2017 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pauld315 (Post 1434646)
nope

get rid of bird cage

rubicon 08-15-2017 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye (Post 1435719)
I know how I would get rid of them, but I don't think I better say here. I had a Coyote showing up ever morning across the street & he doesn't show up anymore or should I say won't be seen anymore. Better not say anymore!

We have Coyotes roaming around and they love digging in my trash for chicken bones...its easy because the trash is not a moving target. Lousy hunters they are. My trash does not go out until morning now

Chi33 08-15-2017 01:29 PM

water and bleach works. You can mark them as you get them away.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:38 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.32 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2025 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.