Squirrels!! Anyone else have problems?

[DuckHoney]

Quote:
And what diseases would that be? According to my wildlife vet they are safe and not carriers of any diseases harmful to pets or humans

First of all, I just want to clarify that I am talking about ground squirrels. Check this websit out for info, http://cecalaveras.ucdavis.edu/squirrel.htm but the main part you'd be interested in is...

"Ground squirrels can harbor diseases harmful to humans, particularly when squirrel populations are dense. A major concern is bubonic plague transmitted to humans by fleas carried on the squirrels. Ground squirrels are susceptible to plague, which has wiped out entire colonies."

It goes on to talk about baiting, fumigation and trapping... they have this to say about trapping:
"Trapping
Traps are practical devices for control when ground squirrel numbers are low to moderate. Live-catch traps are effective, but present the problem of how to dispose of the live animals. Because ground squirrels carry disease and are agricultural pests, the California Fish and Game Code specifies that it is illegal to release them elsewhere. "

And about bait...
"Anticoagulant baits can be used in bait stations or by repeated spot baiting. Bait stations contain sufficient bait for repeated feedings and are the preferred method around homes and other areas where children, pets, and poultry are present."

I found this on the internet: "In the United States, human plague cases average about 10 to 15per year. Worldwide, there are 1,000 to 2,000 cases each year."

I think it's safe to say that you shouldn't have a problem with plagues. Especially since they Are treatable.

Nature has its checks and balances. I wouldn't mess too much with that order, unless they were causing damages to my house.

 

[TexasTony]

I have everyone's solution: hire my wife (widowzilla).

A couple of years ago she read me the riot act up one side & down the other not to shoot the squirrels 'because they are cute'.

Not a month later, she runs over one on the straight-away part of our driveway! She dodged left, it dodged left, she swerved right, it jumped right under the tire.

Unfortunately it was gone (probably taken by a hawk or vulture) before I got home.

But, she's available to run over them with either an old ford (90's) or an even older mercedes (80's), your choice! Affordable rates, but the mileage rates might hurt (central Texas!).

Another option is to poison them. Radiator fluid works great, but try to keep your ducks (and other wild birds) out of it. It's an ugly death, but with the damage they do it's justified. In the middle of the day when you see all the squirrels, put up your ducks & put a dish of it out there. Give them an hour while watching things, then put it up again. It takes a couple of days, but definitely works. A friend right now borrowed my life trap because he has a family of the monsters in his attic, and having them die up there would stink up the whole house for weeks (I've been there...).

For anyone who 'loves squirrels', consider that they are the exact cousin of rats, but with bushy tails. Exact same animal. Smart like rats, destructive like rats, dangerous like rats (let them chew some wires & burn down your house then call them cute).

But remember that Widowzilla IS available! Reserve your drive-by's today!

Tony