Now that my figs are ripening, I have an unwelcome visitor. And I'm reluctant to bring out my arsenal. So, what's the best bait?
I wouldn't mind, but the little varmint just tests it with a couple of bites, and knocks it to the ground if it's not to his liking. And I'm not ready to just give up.
.22 calibre brass cased lead compound with a mercury fulminate primer
kikis~
You know, that was my first thought for a solution. It's just that we have a river rock ground cover, instead of grass -- and the brass casing may cause the little messenger I forward to the little varmint, to ricochet.
Seems to me they used to make a .22 caliber shotgun-type load.
Actually iwas just kidding,of course, although it might be the best solution it isn't one I would use. We even live trap the woodchucks (in NY) and xfer them to the deep woods far away. Not sure where you're gonna take your tree rats to on Longboat Key though. Can those suckers swim??
They do indeed make a .22 scattershot shell...for what it might be worth,
Actually i ordered another Hav-a-Heart to use down here. Up North we use our old one for muskrats and raccoons.
I once caught a squirrel in the trap up North, and the little bugger got so excited, and so unhappy, that he evidently just died.
I'm on the bay, so I may have to see if they can swim! (in the trap)
They sell little bags with squirrel deterent in it at the farm store, or any store like Lowes, you just hang it close to the plant.
Well, the squirrel squatter I evicted this past winter was partial to apples and not peanut butter. I used a hav-a-hart trap but found that the plate used to trip the trap was inadequate. I skewered the piece of apple with a chopstick, stuck the ends through the sides of the trap above the plate and then used a strong rubberband to increase the force needed to get a piece of it. I figured if he had to struggle a bit to get something to eat, then he would be more likely to trip the trap. The apple was set near the top of the trap.
good luck
Sheila
kareoke:
I'll try. But I'm afraid it will just hurt his/her feelings. Like he/her is not wanted. I wasn't planning to hurt the lettle varmint. Just get him/her away from my figs. (I'm going to have to make a "him/her" macro, so that I can save my fingers and still not offend and PC devotees.)
Skat~
I'll take your advice and try apples. (Still, the little varmint may not know what an apple is, they don't grow down here.) But that stringing it up is good. Whatever I use, I'll do that with the bait. I wouldn';t mind if the little guy/gal just took a fig and ate it. But this one is particular. He scrapes at it with his teeth, and if it doesn't suit him, he knocks it off and leaves it
maybe you should bait the trap with a fig...
kikis~
You know, you're right. Now I have to find a ripe one. It'll surely lure him in. Thank you, it was too obvious for me to think of it.
BTW- Flyboy,
What kind of figs are you growing?
Sheila, who is about to order her Davis cuttings
skat~:
A medley.
I started with cuttings from my Greek neighbor. A "brown" and a "white." They're healthy and putting out leaves.
Then a "Brown Turkey" and a "Green Ischia." These are fully fruited, up to half-dollar size. (The BT is the one the squirrel attacked.)
Now I've added two Celestes (which are still potted, and which I intend to transfer to NJ next month.), and a Violette Black.
So, there should be variety!
My dad traps the squirrels that rob his birdfeeder. He says they are good at getting themselves out of the trap, but it takes them a little while, so if he sees the trap closed he rushes right out and locks down the door. He also read that squirrels need to be transported a minimum of 5 miles (as the crow flies), or they find their way back, and his own experience seems to bear this out.
Good luck! I transported my first bunny of the season last week, but there are several more lazing around the yard as bold as anything....
hey critter~
If you're talking squirrels and bird feeders, here's my suggestion for feeders which are mounted on a crook pole. (actually borrowed from my daughter.)
Take a handful of Vaseline and slide it all the way down the pole -- coating it.
You won't believe the stunned look on the little varmints when they try to climb it. And it lasts a long time. Try it, you'll like it.
On the subject of Squirrels, we are having a big problem with them too. We must have at least 15 in our yard and they raid our pecan trees, unless we have an extremely heavy crop we get nothing, and with the figs, we used to not have a problem, but now, they eat every single one of them, or waste them, before they are ripe, so it looks like we may have to take some action.
I think the squirrels are very cute, and I like to watch them, but enough is enough.
So I may be trying out the traps.
Josephine.
frost~
Josephine:
Get the traps, and a recipe for squirrel pie. I scared mine off, evidently, because we have now been picking ripe figs -- no problem (so far).
How high are the first branches of your pecan trees off the ground? If the trunk is high enough before it barnches, wrap the trunk with Glad, and smear Vaseline on it with your hands. That'll stop them !
It is mean that they're so cute -- but they are rodents.
Good luck
Brad
I am afraid that the wrap won't help, they can jump on the trees from the house roof or the electric wires, so really sending them away is the only solution. I really don't want to kill them.
Josephine.
Buy a trap. When you catch one, drive it a couple of miles away. Preferably across a highway, or a river. Then release it.
Good luck
Not a couple of miles, flyboy, or you'll see it again! FIVE MILES. as the crow flies. really! especially with the little red ones, as they have a larger range.
The slippery pole idea does work, but Dad has peanut butter & suet feeders hanging from his deck railing, and that's where he has to set his trap.
critter~
You're absolutely right. But I make sure to cross a major highway or a river. That stope 'em.
