Who's the Culprit?

Oh my goodness! You sure have bad mannered squirrels there! Please keep them--ROFL!! Our house is 112 yrs. old, and had this ugly baby blue vinyl sidingup in the gables, I had it removed. It exposed the original half cove siding! Too cool. Anyway, removing it did leave some gaps, so we had to make sure to take wood and cover any and all gaps that were exposed up in the attic. I had bats in here while working on her (not living here though) and I took them outside to let loose. They didn't get in thru the attic though. They got in because somebody had added a vent in the kitchen. That vent was in 2 FOOT soffits! Man, they were ugly. I didn't want a soffit and I sure didn't want the vent. I had gutted the kitchen and a 1/2 bath right off it, where the vent went thru also and then out the side of the house. So just that vent was there. After 2 bats had gotten in, we realized where they were coming in, so that vent flap was covered. No more bats!

I think I'm just plain ole allergic to the outside. I have allergies to all sorts of pollens and grasses, etc. Horses. Cows. Cats. Dogs. sigh. I also get a reaction to the sun, can't think of the name of it right now. But I get a very itchy rash. I would say to just use the organic pesticide sparingly and only where needed? I know something as simple as soapy water, is deadly to many bugs. Good bugs and bad bugs!

I never thought of all my wire cages like that! That's a good one though!! ROFL!

Squirrels. moles. voles, ants! what next--here is a little remedy which may help many wildlife gardeners==change your surrounding from time to time. In other words--walk your garden, and when doing clean up remember to save some of those prickery sticks like from the blackberry canes-last years. simply dig them into a portion of your lilly patch and watch what happens. It has been 7 years--and neither the 20 plus squirrels, rabbit, skunk, raccoons, cats or dog--will cross that area--appears the yelp heard by one tiny (squirrel-we named nosey) did the job--and the story spread--today in July 2009 still safe--mind you they will enter other portions of the gardens--but still not there! I've added compost over the area since--and I'm sure the canes are buried deep by now--Just remember where you buried the canes should you decide to clean in that particular portion of the garden. When I clean up the blackberry patch each year--I always manage to "Ouch" and it hurts for weaks! This just might be the solution for many gardeners--"Ouch"--lesson learned!

Update--August 21st, 2009-one squirrel becomes three squirrels. These are baby squirrels from this years litter who just don't !! any better. Today breakthrough after talking to and finally banging a large stick on the pavement--they have settled back down. Today the main ring leader walked up to me and then turned and simply left the wildlife habitat backyard. Amazing--the other two came for their treat. Did you ever see a mother squirrel toss a baby squirrel out of the feeder! We did and that gave me the idea--I simply scolded these three and then banged a large stick againt the concrete! Situation of removing 'yes the marigolds' Yuck! Amazing has stopped and the habitat is back on course!

Rule of thumb--always expect the unexpected you will not be disappointed. And then brace yourself when a red-wing tailed hawk spins you like a top--after you call the other critters to come---oops! what a !!!

Happy Gardening!

"God's Garden" Wildlife Habitat Garden 2gonefihsing All stories throughout the forum from "God's Garden" are true stories!--really amazing Build a garden and they will come!