Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Toastie 5/24/2010, 10:11 pm

Well I seem to have a rodent problem
Apparently a squirrel of 2 have decided to have a run of my garden. Usually they just dig holes and I push teh dirt back in but th is time they cut down one of my eggplants that was just starting to flower

What I am wondering is how to get rid of them. My first idea was to get a 22 and have some sauce piquante that night. But around here they might not like me shooting a gun
I have heard about using peppers, I do have some cayenne growing but I think they dug near them also
Is there anything I can grow that might get rid of them.
If all else fails I was debating on putting out some anti-freeze for them to drink\ Evil or Very Mad

Megan 5/24/2010, 10:19 pm

Our indoor-only cats are shedding. I use a grooming glove on them and am putting tufts of the shed hair under my grid. Originally it was anti-slug, now it is anti-squirrel too. I have no idea if it actually works, but so far just a couple of minor diggings-in-the-night. (I may have to start taking the ferrets out on leash to spread their scent around, too!)

Retired Member 1 5/24/2010, 10:59 pm

Sorry to hear about the demise of your eggplant. I know that is so frustrating. If you can't use a wire cover, I would suggest putting deterrent around -- not sure what works on squirrels. I found one at Tractor Supply that has helped keep the neighbourhood cats out of the garden. I would not suggest using antifreeze -- it causes a horribly painful death, and pets could get into it.

sceleste54 5/25/2010, 12:01 am

I buy ground Cayenne in the big containers at Sam's Club.. Sprinkle LIBERALLY on everyhing!! It won't stop the birds but its a hoot to watch the squirrels get a mouthful !!
Won't hurt them permanently but it does seem to teach them to leave stuff alone.. and they can dig all they want in the rest of the yard ! Works on all mammals I've seen so far...

1chichi 5/25/2010, 7:48 am

I know how you feel about the squirrels. They are very destructive! A couple of days ago, I believe one got into some of my heirloom tomato plants that are in a fenced bed w/ Mel's mix.
They kicked the mix all over my turnip greens and buried 2 of the tom. plants.
There were no bite marks. They just made a big mess that had me cursing!

Afterwards, I harvested the greens, but cleaning them was very difficult.
Then, I covered the soil w/ plastic mulch. Inbetween each plant I placed a bucket lid to hold the plastic down.
I guess it's time to get some cayenne pepper.
A friend is going to loan me a squirrel trap (for relocating them).
This is all out war squirrels - Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0 Bom

PB 5/25/2010, 8:34 am

I had trouble with squirrels in my potted plants. Evidently they love Mel's mix for hiding seeds in that wonderfully fluffy stuff. They didn't eat the petunia's, but dug the plants out of the pot. I read you could spray the plant, but as they werent eating the plants, but digging. I got out my crushed red pepper and added liberally. The next day I noticed they had started to dig, but decided against the idea. I guess it worked. If not, the squirrels would have been seasoned from the inside if I had to get the .22 magnum. squirrels - Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0 Suspect

squirrels - Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0 Suspect

Chopper 5/25/2010, 1:58 pm

sceleste54 wrote:I buy ground Cayenne in the big containers at Sam's Club.. Sprinkle LIBERALLY on everyhing!! It won't stop the birds but its a hoot to watch the squirrels get a mouthful !!
Won't hurt them permanently but it does seem to teach them to leave stuff alone.. and they can dig all they want in the rest of the yard ! Works on all mammals I've seen so far...

I like your cayenne idea. Everytime I put a box in the dogs dig through it with their snouts. After awhile they leave it alone, but they dog up seeds. Might lay it on before seeding and let the dogs get a whiff of that and stay away.

Toastie 5/25/2010, 2:05 pm

Well I found a good spot to get a squirrel trap and also found out they sell Vermiculite (4 cuft for 26)

Megan 5/25/2010, 6:37 pm

Chopper wrote:
sceleste54 wrote:I buy ground Cayenne in the big containers at Sam's Club.. Sprinkle LIBERALLY on everyhing!! It won't stop the birds but its a hoot to watch the squirrels get a mouthful !!
Won't hurt them permanently but it does seem to teach them to leave stuff alone.. and they can dig all they want in the rest of the yard ! Works on all mammals I've seen so far...

I like your cayenne idea. Everytime I put a box in the dogs dig through it with their snouts. After awhile they leave it alone, but they dog up seeds. Might lay it on before seeding and let the dogs get a whiff of that and stay away.

I like that idea too. I bought a big bag of extra-hot dried peppers at Walmart. I'm going to have to take the Cuisinart outside to grind it up (and wear a ventilator or I'm going to mace myself).... but hopefully it will keep the squirrels out!

Toastie 5/25/2010, 8:55 pm

Well I got the trap and loaded it with some peanut butter (after I made myself a few PB&J's) and hopefully I catch something

I thought about the cayenne pepper until I realized that one of the plants it likes to dig around is a cayenne and jalepeno peppers. I guess I got a cajun squirrel

I was told at the store that wolf/coyote urine work

Sponsored content

Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0

Re: Squirrels 1 Eggplant 0


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.