Yeah, that's a long nap!

If it isn't one thing, it is another!

When our nearest neighbor moved he gathered up most of his half-feral cats and took them away with him, thank goodness! Now, I've noticed that the wee red squirrels are using my platform bird feeder as a snack and lure station. They eat seed until a smaller bird flies up and lands, then they catch it and have their main meal. I had no idea before this that squirrels were omnivores. I am getting pretty sick of the whole thing though...that's certainly not what I wanted to watch at the feeder!

I never knew that about squirrels either! You're right - I wouldn't want to see that when I look out expecting to see a pretty bird.

chelle said:If it isn't one thing, it is another!

When our nearest neighbor moved he gathered up most of his half-feral cats and took them away with him, thank goodness! Now, I've noticed that the wee red squirrels are using my platform bird feeder as a snack and lure station. They eat seed until a smaller bird flies up and lands, then they catch it and have their main meal. I had no idea before this that squirrels were omnivores. I am getting pretty sick of the whole thing though...that's certainly not what I wanted to watch at the feeder!

goldfinch4 said:I never knew that about squirrels either! You're right - I wouldn't want to see that when I look out expecting to see a pretty bird.

I'm wondering if Plantskydd applied to the pole would help? I think I need to get some and try it.

Never thought of that. Sounds like a great idea! There are 5 people who will win Plantskydd in the raffle - get out some acorns! And not for the squirrels!

Hah! No, none for those squirrels!

I do have some tickets already and will likely get more, but I'm not very lucky in random drawings. I'm ready to be shocked speechless with this one though!

Well, good luck in the raffle. There's always a first time! And with nine prizes, you've got a good chance.

It's most certainly a great compilation of prizes!!

Is the ready-to-use liquid Plantskydd deer control formulation effective for other critters too?
Which one do you use?

Up until this year I only used the liquid, so yes, it does work on other critters too. This year I used the rabbit granules because those are my only problem critters. The liquid is a bright red color. It does fade with age, but you can see it on your plants when you first apply it. I like the granules because they just blend in with the dirt. They've both worked great for me.

Thanks for the info, Chris!

In the meantime I'm enjoying a *training* session.

Duck tape turned sticky-side out wrapped around the pole offered a few minutes of amusement, but ultimately the critter just blew by the unpleasantness as quickly as it could and reached the top. Now, to the top of that wrapping I've added strips turned sticky-side out adhered in just a tiny area, but all the way around the pole, and left to hang. I'm hoping that the scare of being caught up (temporarily, at most) in sticky tape will train them away.

Who knows, you might figure something out and make a fortune from it. Everybody I know has squirrel in the bird feeder problems.

Sticky tape turned out to be useless. Amusing (for me ), but ineffective.

Cayenne pepper has turned away a large gray squirrel, so far. Still waiting for the little red ones to try again. It's raining here now, so I expect they'll wait until the pepper is all washed away!

It worked!

Now they can go back to eating in their designated feeding areas and leave the birds alone! I'm so glad! I didn't want to shoot them, I like their antics just fine as long as they aren't using my feeder to trap birds!

Great news Chelle! Now you'll have to buy Cayenne pepper in 5 pound pails!

I bet it was funny watching them try to get past the tape.