There a pest at times
In rural areas, squirrels can do severe damage. In fruit orchards squirrels can chew holes into the bark of various types of fruit trees to sample the sweet sap that starts to flow in spring, eat flower buds that normally would make fruit, destroy fruit before and after it ripens, and gird branches killing them off. This doesn’t count the small branches they chew cleaning their teeth. Squirrels eating fruit wouldn’t aggravate the owners so much if they really ate it all but they waste ten to fifteen times as much as they eat. In a hard wood forest, particularly New England, squirrels have been known to chew through pipes and container of Maple syrup especially plastic ones. In nut orchards, nut production is severely decreased because the squirrels harvest the large numbers of nuts before they’re ripe and carrying off a large portion of the remaining ripe nuts before the humans can start their harvesting. In the country at least you can shot and thin the ranks of the marauders and vent some frustration.
In the city, squirrels damage lawns by digging to bury or retrieving acorns, nuts, seeds and also in flower beds finding and eating roots and bulbs (Tulips, crocus, etc). They chew on ornamental shrubs or trees giving them a lop-sided appearance or sometimes killing the plant. They also eat flower buds before they open into blossoms. They take food intended for birds and will sometimes enlarge holes in birdhouse to enter and eat nestling songbirds. They travel on the power lines and short out transformers interrupting electrical power to large sections of the community.
Squirrels have been known to make nests in attics, garages, chimneys, barbecue pits, crawl spaces and other unusual places, even in cars. Any place that is dry, safe, and protected that they can squeeze their head through a squirrel can get into and make a nest. This is bad for several reasons; they mess up the insulation in the walls and ceiling, gnawing on electrical wiring can cause fires, they gnaw holes in the walls and allow precipitation to enter the house, etc… I have heard that you can buy a rubber snake and scare squirrels away or spray a pepper or a predator (raccoon) urine solution around your house to cause them to leave your plants and house alone or you can spend lots of money buying ultrasonic noise-makers to ward squirrels away. Of course this was said by the same people who recommend feeding garlic and yeast to your dog to repel fleas. Once the squirrel gets used to the sight, smell or sound they’re back again. LOL. The only practical way to remove squirrels is to check local ordinances and see if you are allowed to trap and relocate them at least five miles from your house. Plan ahead and determine the squirrel’s relocation prior to trapping it. I suggest someplace across a river and several roads. Even that may not stop its return, as gray squirrels are able to swim two miles in calm water. They swim using the dog paddle stroke with their heads and rumps, including the tail, held up out of the water. Myself, I think a skillet is the best and final answer for a troublesome squirrel. I would not recommend poisoning because in most places it is illegal, as there is no effective bait you use that wouldn’t be consumed by a pet or other animal. orchidhunter
