Garden Column for the Salisbury Post
Darrell Blackwelder
July 27, 2001

 
 I just caught my second grey squirrel this week. After
replanting dug up bedding plants and  replacing bird feed over
and over, I decided it was time to act. I get calls continuously
through the year about squirrels, but they seem to be very active
now.
 December thru January and again in June is the breeding
season for grey squirrels. Young squirrels breed only once with a
gestation period of 42-45 days with usually three young in the
litter. Later this summer, these animals cause havoc in and
around the home carrying off fruit, vegetable and even flowers.
If you have bird feeders and have squirrels nearby, you now what
I am talking about.  Researchers tell us that typically about half the squirrels
in a population die each year.  Rarely in the wild do squirrels
live to be 4 years of age. They evidently must  be living the
good life near our home because the population in my area seems
to be increasing.
 Remedies to keep squirrels away seem to have mixed results.
Taste repellents such as Ro-pel can be applied to plants, flowers
tree and shrubs. Other repellents containing capsaicin(hot pepper
mix)can also be used as a repellent. Some say capsaicin can be
mixed with bird seed and it will repel squirrels without causing
a problem for birds. Some  have told it works well, while others
tell me it was a waste of time.  Moth balls seem to have the same
results.
 Other than shooting, baited live traps seem to be the best
method of control. Traps can effectively be baited with slices of
orange, walnuts or pecans removed from the shell with peanut
butter. I have used sliced apples with good results.Live squirrel
traps are readily available from hardware and farm supply stores.
 Check the traps often. My success usually occurs early in
the morning near our bird feeders.
 Some squirrels remain fairly calm in the cage, while others
will literally beat themselves to death trying to get out.  Every
squirrel I catch seems to react differently. Last year, one beat
himself to death trying to get out before I could release, so it
is important to release them as soon as possible. I will put a
tarp over the trapped animal and move out of the yard to calm
them if I have to wait for an extended period.

 Translocation of squirrels should be at least five or more
miles away to prevent return, however, I have read where they
often migrate 50 miles for a better habitat. Wildlife experts
question trapping and release due to the stress placed on the
animal and possible spread of diseases. However, I prefer this
method rather than the other alternative.