Tabasco wrote:

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Crawish and Chicken maybe. And I've even eaten it with Alligator. But Squirrel? You've got to be kidding.

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ram wrote:

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I think gumbo started out as a way to make a little meat go a long way. 

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In case anyone should ever have a problem similar to ours, here's what I found on the net last night:

If, however, you want to keep squirrels away from your plants, try the following ideas:-

Plant your bulbs in a coating of cayenne pepper.

Spray squirrel repellent directly on the plants.

Place a 2 foot band of sheet metal (forming a cone, large opening downwards) around the trunk approximately 6 ft. off the ground. (For this to be effective, the tree needs to be at least 10 ft. from other trees.)

To deter squirrels from buildings -

rags soaked in ammonia

socks filled with mothballs (be careful with children/pets**)

cayenne pepper squirrel repellent

Recipe for squirrel repellent:-

1) 1 bottle (small) hot pepper sauce

2) 1 gallon water

3) water retentative (available from plant nursery) or 1 teaspoon of mild liquid detergent such as dishwashing detergent.

Spray this repellent on plants or anything you would like protected from chewing. Many commercial products designed to repel rodents are not effective. In fact, some say  the animals actually eat more of the plants after the repellent is applied.

**Please remember that mothballs are toxic when ingested. Children's curiosity and bird's lack of smell can increase their chances of ingesting mothballs. Children and birds should not have access to the mothball filled socks.

Gardeners can make their own repellent by placing a handful of hot peppers in a large container and adding a quart of boiling water. Allow the peppers to soak overnight. Strain the peppers from the water and add a few drops of mild dish detergent to make a spray to protect the plants.

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One method of keeping squirrels from browsing on trees and gnawing on wood is to use a chemical repellent. Repellents do not stop gnawing damage but do reduce the severity of damage. The best repellent is one containing Thiram. Always follow label instructions for using any chemical substance. Old reports found in the literature suggest repellents containing polybutenes can be used to repel squirrels. The substance burns the squirrels' feet. The following substances can be sprayed on wood to repel squirrels: ( 1 ) One pound of copper napthenate mixed in 2 1/2 quarts of mineral spirits. (2 ) Three pounds asphalt emulsion and 2 pounds copper carbonate mixed in 2 quarts of water. (3) One teaspoon of Lysol® or 3 ounces epsom salts mixed in 1 gallon of water. Several of these solutions may discolor wood; treat a small area hidden from view first to determine the amount of discoloration.

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Turn up the heat.
Most recipes for homemade hot-pepper sprays are similar to this one: crush chili peppers in a gallon of water, seep in the sun for several days, strain into a spray bottle, and spray onto plants that critters eat. This works to deter squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, cats, dogs, and deer.

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Some other
substances can be sprayed on wood to repel squirrels including 1 teaspoon Lysol or 3 ounces Epsom
Salts.per gallon water.

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To discourage squirrels from gnawing cedar shingles, a repellent can be made by combining one pound of copper naphthenate with 2 1/2 quarts of either mineral spirits, linseed oil or shingle stain. If color is unimportant, two pounds of copper carbonate and three pounds of asphalt emulsion create a good repellent.


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Squirrel Repellent

1 ounce Murphy's Oil Soap
1 ounce hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mix everything together and put the mixture in a 22 ounce spray bottle. Fill the bottle to the top with water. Gently mix. Spray everything around where the squirrels are unwanted.



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Squirrel Control

1. To repel squirrels: Mix Naphthalene flakes, gypsum, and chile pepper. Spread around the problem areas.

2. Bulbs: soak them in Ropel before planting and squirrels will leave them alone. You can also dust them with medicated baby powder.

3. Put sheet metal collars on trees to keep them from climbing the trunks. Prune back any access limbs also.

4. To keep squirrels from the bird feeders in winter try growing witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. It can be grown in the East and Midwest. They grow underneath trees and can continue blooming into December. The flowers form a seed pod that will eventually shoot out the seeds on the ground which supplies squirrels with some winter forage.  5. Sprinkle pepper or  paprika around squirrel prone areas.

6. Using any type of "sticky barrier" can be effective as the squirrels' hate the sticky feeling on their paws.

7. For pole type bird feeders: grease the pole with petroleum jelly. They will get the message pretty quick and go elsewhere for goodies.

8. Learn to get along with them. We have squirrels who do get into the bird feeders but in general cause no trouble at all! In 15 years they have dug up some bulbs one time and that is it!

9. Plant Fritillaria imperialis bulbs in the area of plants that you want to protect. Supposedly they have a particular smell that squirrels and chipmunks find repulsive. They are certainly beautiful plants and a great addition to your garden!

10. Beware that water features will attract squirrels and chipmunks too!

11. To keep squirrels and chipmunks from bulb plants- soak them in Alum water before planting.

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Just Curious wrote:

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In case anyone should ever have a problem similar to ours, here's what I found on the net last night:

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