Squirrel problem

[DickGJ]

I actually quite like chicken hearts and gizzards!

I was going to say squirrel tastes like chicken just as a joke...but it's unique really. Hard to explain unless you've eaten rabbit. My Mother use to make one heck-uv-a scrumptuous squirrel pot-pie with dumplings in it...oh those were the days! Even cleaned nicely, my wife won't allow any of them in the kitchen. If I used one of her cook pots, she'd probably throw it away (that's what she did when I prepared rattlesnake). To her, squirrels are exactly as someone posted earlier...tree rats with bushy tails!

 

[patman75]

Quote:
If you have had wild rabbit they are very similar. Lean dark meat with no fat. If you have not had wild rabbit I would compare it to dark turkey meat but a gamey/hardy flavor.

 

[DickGJ]

Quote:
If you have had wild rabbit they are very similar. Lean dark meat with no fat. If you have not had wild rabbit I would compare it to dark turkey meat but a gamey/hardy flavor.

That's a good way to put it. I said like rabbit, but your analogy to dark turkey meat with a gamey/hardy flavour is a nice analogy and puts it in a better perspective for most folks!

 

[so lucky]

Tree rats

 

[Nimby Chickens]

Squirrels are not a vector for rabies, just FYI. They do not carry it - some people think they have an immunity and some think that because they are so small they would not survive a bite deep enough to pass on the disease. Rabies requires a really good deep bite in order to infect. Whatever the truth is, they don't get rabies.

I actually rehab squirrels- they are amazing and wonderful little creatures. I cannot explain to you how loving they are, I wouldn't have believed it myself until I rescued my first one. She was my little buddy! They do have such personality and each one is different.

In any case, blame not the wildlife for doing what they do best - taking advantage of a situation. If there is food you don't want them to eat, secure it. If you don't want them in your roof, seal off the openings. Food and garbage left outside attracts them. Personally I feed all the squirrels around here a really awesome meal in the mornings. Corn and fruits and veggies.

Plus they eat some of my garden. I don't mind because I'm always planting 3x what I need. Being in FL my growing season is long so I have plenty to spare.

I also put up nest boxes for the squirrels so they don't try to get in my roof. I have about 40 squirrels hanging around and they all use 5 nestboxes. Squirrels are very family-oriented creatures so they stay together a long time.

My advice is enjoy them. I know I do.

 

[DickGJ]

Quote:
I knew there had to be at least one squirrel lover out there. You're welcome to live trap every one out of my back yard and take them to Florida with you. The only enjoyment I get out of them is seeing how crazy they make my jack russells! I'm guessing you're probably a member of the squirrel board -- http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-8345.html

Though rare, though they're not a vector, but they CAN get rabies. Read on if interested...there's plenty on Google that makes mention of some areas for concern.

BTW... http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080521205534AAjUX8p
In general, squirrels carry no diseases that are easily transmitted to humans. It is subject to rabies; however, rabies in squirrels is very rare. Any squirrel that is exceedingly aggressive, lethargic, has trouble moving, or is immobile should be avoided. If you find an injured squirrel, contact a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator immediately for assistance. Although chances are probably slim, squirrels can carry rabies and other diseases. Families with young children must consider the fact that diseases such as rabies often have lengthy incubation periods, lasting several weeks or months. In addition, wild squirrels may harbor parasites, which can be lethal to infants and young children. Internal parasites such as ascarid worms, tapeworms, flukes, and protozoa can cause debilitating and often fatal diseases in humans, while external parasites such as ticks and fleas transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, bubonic plague, and other serious diseases.


Yet More from: http://www.247wildlife.com/wildlifediseases.htm

Squirrels are typically not important vectors of disease - I don't think there's any documented cases of rabies transmission from squirrels, for example. Like all animals, squirrels can carry parasites, they leave behind excrement, and they can leave both in your attic. Squirrel droppings, like pretty much any wildlife dropping, are associated with Leptospirosis and Salmonella.