Squirrels damaging a linden tree

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
williamduncan Guelph, Canada Mar 09, 2013

Hi, For the past few Winters I have had a problem with squirrels peeling off bark from a linden tree near my patio. They will strip all of the bark from a selected branch and have done quite a bit of permanent damage to the tree. Is there any way I can stop these pests. Any advice would be appreciated.

Post #9443650
Quote
Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Mar 09, 2013

Squirrels are agile, and strong critters, quite capable of finding their way around pretty much any barrier you can set up.

Perhaps they would be scared by fake predators such as snakes or owls. These deterrents need to be very realistic. I have a rigid plastic owl that works to discourage birds from eating the fruit. The owl has a hole in the bottom, and I put the owl on a piece of PVC pipe, and stick it up through the branches. The owl moves when the wind blows the branches. I move it about once a week, and that seems to work for birds. Squirrels would probably see through the fakery sooner, so maybe you would need to be more creative?

I do not know if there is any spray specifically for squirrels, but there is one for deer that might be worth trying. It is called Liquid Fence.

Post #9444374
Quote
themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Mar 10, 2013

Hi William. There are a number of reasons for the bark striping....as a food source, as nesting material, keeping their teeth sharp, young squirrels teething....just pure cussedness on their part....

Some of the suggestions offered are, using flashing or barbed wire to stop them from getting into the tree, providing a feeder that is away from the trees (but this seems kinda counterproductive cuz then more squirrels will show up)spraying repellants (?) i question that cuz I haven't had much luck there, or dissolving cayenne or other hot pepper in water and spraying/painting the bark, trapping or shooting...( I prefer a sling shot loaded with acorns....grin) below are some links to info for you.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/689726/

http://icwdm.org/wildlife/Squirrels/BarkStripping.aspx

http://books.google.com/books?id=hOEM7IC8XhUC&pg=PA145&lpg=PA145&dq=squirrels+stripping+bark+in+canada&source=bl&ots=1z8K9i7yOl&sig=kvTYAPy9V_jcx-8I2aTV6NulKzE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GAc9UcOoGZDa8ASnp4CoDA&sqi=2&ved=0CGQQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=squirrels%20stripping%20bark%20in%20canada&f=false

Post #9445033
Quote
williamduncan Guelph, Canada Mar 11, 2013

Thank you Diana-k and moonhowl for the information about the squirrels. It gives me some ideas to work with

Post #9445690
Quote
themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Mar 11, 2013

You are very welcome...hope it helps

Post #9445721
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Garden Pests and Diseases Threads

Go to all Garden Pests and Diseases threads
BACK TO TOP