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Barnyard Buddies:  They're Driving Me Crazy!  |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 25 2007 : 11:04:29 AM
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| I bought a "squirrel proof" sunflower feeder the other day thinking that this would take care of the squirrels eating up expensive sunflower seed. It's the kind that has a cage around the sunflower tube that small birds can get in but the openings are too small for squirrels. Well, that was true of the black and gray squirrels, but those darn red squirrels are small enough to fit right through the openings. Now I've actually given them a nice little spot to sit comfortably and enjoy their feast!! I could scream!!!!!! I saw a feeder that won't support the weight of a squirrel on the perch and drops them down, but it was $70...that's out of my budget. When I went out to chase that stupid squirrel for the umpteenth time, he ran up the tree and scolded ME! I give up... |
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Vintage Redhead
True Blue Farmgirl
233 Posts
Kaylyn
Saint Charles
IL
USA
233 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2007 : 11:51:26 AM
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Jan, I'm so sorry to heare that you're being plagued by squirrels!
Take a picture of the squirrel sitting on the feeder, comfortably eating away. Send it to the manufacturer with the sales receipt. Ask them for a 50% refund because you're going to keep the feeder, but it clearly isn't performing as claimed. See what happens. Worst they can do is ignore it...best they could do is give you a full refund. Worth trying anyway.
Darn squirrels irritate us, too! A few years ago, we got a free-standing pole with a tube baffle that we can move anywhere in the yard because it sits in a 12" circle of 4" deep concrete (of course, it weighs about 100 lbs!) so we just kept moving it until they couldn't jump onto the feeder. They scolded us for a while, now they just eat off the ground. Fluffy-tailed rodents...
~ Kaylyn
(Living in Suburbia with a FARMGIRL Heart!)
My Current Cause: http://nickspavilion.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Vintage Redhead on Mar 25 2007 11:58:44 AM |
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Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2007 : 4:41:17 PM
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Makes us nutts. Tee-hee. I'm sorry. I saw a fascinating show all about how squirrels have nothing better to do than outsmart every idea we can come up with to get food. They even navigated a very complex series of obstacles. We're lucky to not have them here. But it does make me wonder why we don't have them? Yikes!
We make a difference. |
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YiberryYadeeKarin
True Blue Farmgirl
343 Posts
Karin
Spokane Valley
WA
USA
343 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2007 : 7:23:50 PM
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I think I saw the same program that Michelle mentioned. They are very clever little critters.
We have some gray squirrels here and have to admit that we enjoy watching them and their antics. I have a feeder specifically for them, one that holds an ear of dried corn, and sometimes I put whole peanuts (shell and all) and other goodies for them out near the feeders (i.e. cracked corn). Maybe that would help, if you tried feeding them somewhat.
A have a good friend who is from Australia and whenever she visits, she loves seeing the squirrels since they don't have them over there. Last year when she came to visit, she took pictures of them wherever we visited -- on the grounds at Graceland, at the Space Center in Houston... She adores them!
Karin |
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Mumof3
True Blue Farmgirl
3890 Posts
Karin
Ellenwood
GA
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 05:45:57 AM
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I feel your pain! Squirrels are the bane of a bird-lovers existence, aren't they? My friend gave me one of the spring-loaded feeders for my birthday last year and I love it. There is just such a sense of devious satisfaction sitting there watching as a nice, fat squirrel plans his attack, maneuvers himself into position and makes the leap- only to be left hanging in mid-air with no reward! Now, when I see them, I chuckle. And then very quietly send the dogs out the side door. ;)
I love Kaylyn's idea! It might just work!
Karin |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 08:30:03 AM
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| I'm going feeder shopping today to see what I can find (under $70!). If it weren't for those little red squirrels, I'd be fine. My friend lives 30 miles from me and he doesn't get the red or black squirrels. That's because they're all by me. I do put feed on the ground that they can get at easily, but no...that's not good enough. If they don't have a challenge, they're not happy. The gray and black are content...the red are EVIL! |
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Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2007 : 4:23:00 PM
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I've got a picture of a calico squirrel around...wonder what their temperament would be catagorized as? I lived in a place in Idaho with albino squirrels... Hmmm. Jan, are you feeding "the enemy"? Not sure that will discourage them. ;)
We make a difference. |
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akcowgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
296 Posts
Valerie
Homer
Alaska
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2007 : 08:38:18 AM
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We call them tree rats here and we have the same red one you are talking about. I sic the dogs on them, but i have to say that my other half gets rid of them in a more permanent way (just not when I am at home) we have to keep on top of it though because they get under our house and tear all the insulation out of the floor. They are soooo distructive.
Valerie
Yes, I live in my own little world. But that's ok they know me here.
Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
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Barnyard Buddies: They're Driving Me Crazy! |
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They're Driving Me Crazy!
