Now that Spring is here, the squirrels in our yard are really starting to drive us NUTS (pun intended).
We had a beautiful finch couple (birds) make a nest in our flower hanging basket and momma finch laid 6 eggs. As I patiently waited, they finally started to hatch 8 days later. Within 3 days, Fat Albert (name given to the nasty squirrel) climbs up the brick wall and steals 2 eggs and 1 of the baby finch's. I was hysterical and hosed him down with the garden hose. It was too late, so we lost them and he enjoyed his free meal. Albert wins round #1.
The next day he comes back thinking he is getting dessert. WRONG buddy! I go running out and spray him with the hose which in turn, pissed him off. I was trying to deal with him in a humane way. He ends up throwing a temper tantrum and comes after me. I picked up a can of ant spray and left him have it. Yeah, I win round #2.
A few hours later he comes back to attempt to get to the babies again (now there 2 babies and 1 unhatched egg). This time I have my hubby deal with him. My bee goes out with the broom thinking he would scare him away but, it made him more agressive. He finally hoses him down with the garden hose and after a few minutes, Albert takes off. I will say that round #3 is a tie. Hubby then went and found Alberts house which was a disgusting nest type of thing up in our rain spout/gutter. He destroyed it so no more condo living for Albert.
Next morning...we hear scratching noises outside our bedroom window...it was Albert, back again for round #4. He was climbing up the brick wall again so that he could get into the flower basket to get the babies. Hmmm, Not on our watch buddy! Again, we go out and do battle with Albert. He gives up and takes off. Enough of this! My hubby goes to the wildlife center and borrows a humane trap and sets it up on the ground right under our window. This is one nasty agressive squirrel who is NOT afraid of people. He was able to get the bait that was in the trap 3 times before it finally trapped him! yeah yeah yeah!!! Round #5 and we win! Hubby takes him to the wildlife center and they are releasing him near the mountain ridge. So, you are probably saying to yourself, why is she still bitching about this?
Well...6am this morning we hear scratching noises going up the brick wall, again! ugh! We go outside and what do we see? Another freaking squirrel! This one is smaller in size and immediately took off once he heard us coming.
Squirrels...take notice: You are NOT getting my baby finch's! I will protect momma, pappy and all 3 babies until they fledge (in another 10 days)...after they fledge you can have my stinky flower basket but not before then!
I am really beginning to hate squirrels!
Here is a picture of the babies that I am protecting.
6 comments:
I HATE squirrels. About 7 years ago when I lived in Chicago I had a problem with mice. One morning I hear some scratching from the kitchen and thought that was an awfully noisy mouse. Look in the kitchen and see something feathery looking sticking out of the sink. I'm trying to figure out what it was when it pops its head up. A SQUIRREL. I slammed the door to the kitchen closed and barricaded it. Call to animal control and they won't have a trap available until the next week. Called a friend who's father has a trap and he baited it with peanut butter and set it up for me. I went away for the weekend and when I got home I peeked in the kitchen and there he was in the trap. I was taking him to my friend's father the next morning but someone said the squirrel was probably hungry and thirsty. I poured a bottle of water on him and threw a couple of crackers in the cage. That bugger raised a fit when I picked up the cage with a broom stick. He cursed me all the way to the cardboard box I had in the back of my SUV for him.
A friend with a heating/ac business said they get on top of the chimney to get warm and pass out from the smoke sometimes falling inside and that's how they get in the house.
Did I mention I HATE squirrels?
I was thinking Albert may have some relatives checking for him. They are the worst!
A friend of mine had a squirrel in his house eating Werther's Originals and leaving the wrappers strewn all over his living room floor.
There are way too many of them in the city.
The babies are adorable. Kudos to you and the Bee for protecting them.
Thanks for the comments ladies. Albert's relative went bye-bye last night and I didn't have to do it. He made the mistake of clawing down the screen from a window at the neighbors house and Mr Neighbor took care of him. I couldn't look and had to walk away. I am hoping we are done with the squirrel problem.
Shelly,
Glad to hear that your squirrel problem is taken care of. I have never had a squirrel problem but have heard other people say that they can be a problem. One lady was telling how she ended up having to put her car into storage because a squirrel chewed up her car wiring not once but twice and it was expensive to have her car fixed.
I haven't been over here in awhile.
I hate squirrels too! We had them bad when I still lived with my parents.
Adorable pics there Shelly! :)
And Sandie, I have not seen you in awhile and I miss your forum! How are you? ;)
Tammy
Tammy,
Hi, how are you? I am doing good. I was quite busy there for awhile but I think I may finally be back! (Or at least I am hoping that this will happen!) I got some help with business and my daughter is now taking grand-daughter to daycare starting today. I am hoping to have some free time so I can post here and vist yours, Shelly's and Sophia's forums once again...I have missed you all!
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