Frankallen

Went out today to check on my Banana Plants, since we have been having heavy rains since last nite. The blame Squirrels, ate several of my small "Pups"......looks like I am going to have to go to "WalMart" and buy some pellets for my Rifle!! I hate to do it, but I have put too much work into planting my Bananas, and taking care of them to let a bunch of Squirrels destroy them!!

Does anyone else have problems with them???

Frank

banana_fun

There was a long discussion on gardenweb about squirrels eating new orinoco shoots. I will post the link so you can see that there are many alternatives of deterouring squirrels rather then BBs. I haven't had any trouble yet, but I'm sure its just a matter of tiime. I think the best solution is to introduce an alternative food source like peanuts. Peanuts would taste like filet mignon compared to banana shoots.


http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...104025727.html

jmilligan1976

or eat the squirrel and peanuts yourself......while watching your remaining plants thrive !!!!!!!!

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Because growing a plant suited to your climate is just too simple.........

mikevan

The problem with feeding the squirrels - even by providing alternative plants - is that it makes them feel at home on your property, and they don't recognize "No Touchy" signs posted by the bananas. Once they've come to appreciate the taste of nanners, they'll continue exploiting this new food source.

We've seen fit to rid most of their predators where we live and squirrels are perfectly happy around us and the plentiful food we provide and they multiply without control. Therefore, we need to either become that missing predator, or replace the predators - such as introducing dogs and cats into the area that are alert and will go after squirrels, as well as creating an environment that's friendly to the likes of hawks, owls and snakes.

Trapping and moving them is an option - squirrels often stumble onto the banana plants and they don't exactly spread the word - so trapping those that are eating your nanners will reduce the loss you're experiencing, at least until more squirrels stumble onto this delicacy. What you do with the trapped squirrels is up to you - but if you release them, do so many many many miles away and out in the country where there are still predators to keep them under control.

Also discourage neigbhors from feeding the squirrels or befriending them - squirrels that are comfortable around humans will be more bold about intruding into your garden. Keep a broom handy to run them off with - scare them so that they'll lose that boldness and learn to avoid humans. A BB-gun won't do the trick - they need to see *you* and associate you as something they need to avoid, so you actually need to go out there personally waving and swiping the broom at them and scattering them. That way they'll gradually lose their comfort around humans and become more shy - more "wild".

Sprays and whatnot are only moderately effective, if at all. Squirrels are very smart and often laugh at such gimics. They'll need more convincing coercion.

Make sure your nanner patch isn't immediately adjacent to squirrel safety locations like large clumps of trees - make it so they need to actually get out of their tree and cross open property on the ground in order to get to your nanners. This makes them more vulnerable and in conjuction to dogs and cats will make them seek safer sources of food.

Make the place a happier home to predators like owls and hawks too. While humans can certainly trap and cull populations, predators do so in a manner that strengthens the remaining squirrel populations by selectively culling out the weak and sick, something we're quite unequipped to do. And if you see snakes, let them pass.

And, remember - as cute as they may be, they multiply like rats sans predators - and didja know that squirrels will kill hummingbird chicks?

Seek to restore the natural balance by any number of various methods, tho I would personally avoid poisons, remove the squirrels that have discovered your patch and seek to secure the banana patch by creating open areas around it and giving run of the property to a very alert dog or cat and your squirrel problems will at least become more moderate.

Be well,
Mike

Frankallen

Thanks alot Mike!! Very good information!! My Wife feeds Birds alot, it seems to bring in more Squirrels than usual because of the Sunflower seeds. I guess I am going to ask my Wife to stop feeding the Birds......

Thanks to everyone else too!! This is such a great Forum!!


Frank

mikevan

There are squirrel-resistant bird-feeders on the market that may work. I would look for practical reviews of them before getting one tho - squirrels are very inventive and have been able to get into most of those feeders, but there are a very few that actually work.

Be well,
Mike

MediaHound

Would phooey or bitter apple help?
You know, the stuff you use to stop pets from chewing your house up.

Phooey is very bitter, I would try it. Ask your pet store if they carry it.

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Apologies in advance if I am slow to reply to your PM. I suggest posting in the forums for support if you need something urgent.

mikevan

Not much is more bitter than acorns and squirrels are giddy over those. No, I hold very little faith in these folk-remedies and sprays and stuff that do little more than seperate you from your money. Too many of them have been reviewed and proven ineffective to the point that, it's almost fraudulent that they're being sold! And even if you luck out and find one that works - it will only work *some* of the time, if at all. If a squirrel or deer is hungry enough, they will brave and tolerate some very extreme stuff to get that nice tasty morsel! Here in the drought, I've had deer come up to a few feet of our door to nibble on our very well watered peach tree even tho we were right there! And these are not tame animals. So, I wouldn't bet the bank, or nanners, on sprays and hair and pee and stuff that I've seen recommended in various forums.

Be well,
Mike