After so much trouble with the squirrels digging holes everywhere, they seem to have stopped. I’m afraid to say it out loud (or post it), but I’m very pleased.
I’m going to have to give props to Shake Away, the urine powder that I use every year with astounding results. When we first moved in, the back yard was overrun with wild rabbits. Having raised rabbits as a child, I love rabbits. But I didn’t want them eating everything, and that’s the first time I tried Shake Away.
It actually worked a little too well. I haven’t seen a rabbit in at least two years. I didn’t mind them in the yard; I just wanted them out of the gardens. But I guess they moved on, fearful of the invisible fox and bobcat I have in the yard.
Then last year, shortly after our neighbors moved, the squirrels moved in. The neighbors had a pit bull and little yappy dog behind a huge privacy fence. But their presence and barking was apparently enough to keep the squirrels away. Those squirrels began to eat the tomatoes, picking the best, biggest, most ripe fruit, taking a bite or two, then tossing it in the yard.
I would have shared if they weren’t so wasteful and picking the fruits I had my eyes on. I did a little Shake Away, but in the end, just started picking tomatoes a day before they were perfectly ripe. And accepting that I had enough to share with the squirrels.
But this year, this constant digging has me mad. Not a single bulb bloomed in spring, so I guess they ate my bulbs. No tulips, no daffodils, no crocus.
I began using Shake Away again, but the results weren’t good. I still found digging in my cucurbit hills and around my vegetable garden. I also think they may have swiped some flower tubers. I finished off a can of the urine powder, and decided to try another. But there are different flavors, including a kind for squirrels that is in rain-proof bags. I called the company’s 800 number to ask what kind would be best. (The bags are primarily for bird feeders, not for gardens.)
The young lady was VERY kind and helpful, and said squirrels are the toughest to get rid of. It wasn’t sounding good at all. But she gave me very specific instructions on how to use it, instead of the haphazard way I’ve used it since day one. And she said if this can didn’t work, then I shouldn’t waste more money on it, and I could get a full refund on the last can. GREAT POLICY!
Well, it seems to be working! I haven’t seen any evidence of digging in any of my gardens. I’ve seen a few holes in the yard, but I can live with that. And they seem to be digging in some of my potted plants. I’ve read that lava mulch will stop that. It hurts their paws I guess.
So thank you again, Shake Away. When it works, this is the greatest product in the world. And their money-back policy is fab. How can you beat that?
I really researched squirrel control, but it seems they’re hard to deal with. Even when you kill them, more come in their place. The only real method it seems is a dog in the yard, and even then, it’s not a guarantee.
I also *wonder* about some castor bean plants I’m growing. Could they be helping as well? They’re only a few inches high now, and I grow them because I love the look. But they’re also called the mole plant, because they supposedly repel moles. Could they work on squirrels too?
I’m just thrilled that for now, they aren’t bothering me. I’ve also planted an entire row of extra tomatoes I had grown from seed, and that’s my sharing row. If the squirrels need a few, fine. The rest are going to the local food pantry. I planted those on the side of the house where a little bit of sun shines through. So far, they’re looking great.
I wondered about the acidity of that patch of soil because there’s a pine tree that drops needles. Those needles turn the soil very acidic. We’ll see.
The bees were also out in force this morning. In the hairy vetch and in the back garden. Oh, and the aphids have gone nuts in the butterfly weed. I sprayed some off, but need to do more. They’re kind of cute.
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