Ground Squirrels - tunneling under and eating through wire mesh

[OhZark Biddies]

Beechy! I will check into the multi-catch trap, thanks OhZark!

Cannonball commmingggggg!

You know that in my head this is what I think you look like now... lol

 

[mowin]

Gamo makes a pellet gun called whisper.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Gamo makes a pellet gun called whisper.

This pellet gun might be more ‘Carl Spackler’ style:
http://air-ordnance.com/smg-22-tactical-hpa-package/

 

[SarahGfa]

Quick fix: Put cayenne pepper in the feed. Use ALOT. The chickens can't taste pepper but the squirrels sure can. Unfortunately this can get expensive if you have a large flock.

if your chickens are in a secure run, you can use poison bait just outside of the run. Tractor Supply sells Wilco ground squirrel bait and bait stations.

 

[aart]

I have beaten coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, hawks, rats, irresponsible domestic cat owners who let their cats roam, and now struggle with ground squirrels.

Well, there ya go....you've killed off all the beechy preds and now they are at the top of the food chain.

there are two feeders that hold about 30# of food each

Maybe only put out what birds can eat in 24 hours?

The ground squirrels have tunneled under my coop making the ground unstable and have eaten through the wire mesh floor.

Did wire rust first? Would love to see a pic of rodent chewed HC.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I read somewhere on BYC that 1/4-inch hardware cloth is not as heavy-duty as 1/2-inch?

 

[aart]

I read somewhere on BYC that 1/4-inch hardware cloth is not as heavy-duty as 1/2-inch?

Yes, 1/4" HC is generally 23ga wire, 1/2" HC is generally the heavier 19ga wire.

 

[WthrLady]

You know the heavy aluminum wire ties that hold the top of a chain link fence to the top rail pole? We had squirrels chewing through that stuff. I'm glad we don't have tree rats here. We do, however, have 13 lined ground squirrels. They tunnel and do some serious damage. I use rat shot in my .22 and my 9mm. I put mothballs and chewing gum down the holes. They breed like mad. You'll never win, but population control is about all you can do.

Happy hunting.

 

[Qwerty3159]

 

[WthrLady]

LOL. When the top opens. You can almost hear them yell "freedom!"