Help! Squirrels eating all my tomatoes.... archived

I set out my hav-a-heart trap today...I will trap and relocate them...that is the only thing that has worked for me

Some people enclose their garden (even on top) with a big cage. Not sure how difficult that is to deal with, though.

With squirrels, there are so many that I would question being able to solve this with traps. Wouldn't more just come in to replace the trapped ones?

We have similar issues with our peach tree. We netted it this year and wrapped sheet metal around the trunk to make it slick and the damn squirrels STILL managed to get into the tree and eat all the peaches as they are ripening. We have about 10 (of maybe 500) peaches still remaining this morning.The tree is not near a house or other trees so the squirrels can't jump into the tree- they have to climb up. I am so pissed and on a mission to get the squirrels. They are so aggressive in this area and it is totally insane. They eat through our trashcans, knock them over regularly and are a total nuisance. I've heard of people hanging metal streamers/ CD's on a rope/ using a motion-sensored owl to scare them away but doubt that would work here. Does anyone have a tried and true method to get rid of the squirrels? (I will not shoot them but am willing to poison them). We live near the reservation so lots of trees around so I don't think trapping them will work. And for whatever reason, they leave our tomatoes and garden alone (probably b/c they are so full on peaches!)

Squirrels have stripped our apple tree of its small green apples every year since we moved here. This year, I tied aluminum pie tins to the lower branches of the tree with lengths from a pair of old pantyhose (to keep the tree from being abraded, due to wind.) I have not seen a single squirrel near the tree so far this summer! We have hundreds of small apples and only have to worry about our doofus dogs, who just love apples, but can't seem to associate their extreme intestinal discomfort with eating these small, unripe apples.

Maybe you could figure out a way to hang some tins so they can twist in the breeze and scare away the squirrels that are after your tomatoes.

Good luck!

PS. We haven't bothered to install it yet, but our next step was to try this thing -

http://www.amazon.com/Contech-CRO101-Scarecrow-Activated-Sprinkler/dp/B000071NUS/ref=sr_1_1_ha?ie=UTF8&qid=1373896612&sr=8-1&keywords=scarecrow+water+sprinkler

I use red christmas balls to fake them out. After all they have brains they size of a squirrel - unless it's a horrible summer- drought - they leave my tomatoes alone.

melandmike said:

I am so pissed and on a mission to get the squirrels. They are so aggressive in this area and it is totally insane. Does anyone have a tried and true method to get rid of the squirrels? (I will not shoot them but am willing to poison them). We live near the reservation so lots of trees around so I don't think trapping them will work. And for whatever reason, they leave our tomatoes and garden alone (probably b/c they are so full on peaches!)

Not a well-matched area for you - or for unfenced peach trees! I have tomatoes growing outside, but no peaches. I have never seen squirrels eating tomatoes. Could the OP provide a picture or video?

Thanks everyone. I feel less alone in the battle! I am going to start with a mix of blood meal and "Critter Ridder", spread around the plants and see if that helps. Trapping seems like tilting at windmills given the sheer numbers, but if they persist I may have to give it a try.

dickf2 - I've never seen a squirrel eating my tomoatoes, but I have definitely seen them in the plants and have seen them several times over the years, jogging away from our property with a little green tomato in their nasty rodent mouth.

(I would happily negotiate with the squirrels to give them a portion of my harvest if they'd just agree to leave us some unbitten fruit! Between what they bite, steal and cause to fall on the ground, I haven't eaten an apple from our tree in 4 years.)

Squirrels suck! Try a product called Liquid Fence. (http://www.liquidfence.com/) It's primary ingredient is putrified eggs. Its marketed as a deer and rabbit repellent (and is very effective) but after discussions with the manufacturer I'm trying it for squirrels. You spray it at least 18 inches around the perimeter of the garden creationg a "fence". So far so good!

kap

I hang strips of aluminum foil from the bars of my tomato cages. Keeps everything out, even feral cats.

my solution wont work on the peach tree but leave your dog in the yard.

mama
we use the blood meal & it seems to work-you need to reapply weekly. we lost a few before we got to it this year.

kap
which liquid fence product, there are many.

oots

The CD's (just added after reading about it here) failed. Kap- I am interested in which liquid fence product as well. My plan for next year (as this year was another epic fail) is: 1) sheet metal around the base, 2) 4 posts around the tree and attaching bird netting AND chicken wire to it, 3) dangling CD's and Xmas bulbs and aluminum foil, 4) spreading some human hair and coyote urine around the base of the tree, and 5) liberal applications of a Tabasco/Jalapeno spray. Unfortunately this tree is in my front yard so it will not be pretty... Keep the ideas coming. We are on a mission to eat fresh peaches again!

Also, 4 summers ago we had an ENORMOUS crop of peaches- maybe 500 or more. But none the past 3 summers. Anyone have any idea why this may be occurring?

Moth balls

Marigolds, plant them around the perimeter of your garden. The woodland creatures don't like the smell and will stay away. Good luck!

Update: the combination of blood meal around the plants and Critter Ridder around the perimeter of the garden seems to be working. I cannot tell if it is working 100%, but there are no obvious signs the squirrels have been working in the garden over the past three days. Fingers crossed it will continue!

Thanks, everyone, for the advice!