Winning the Squirrel Wars

You know I wish oleg would come up with a title like this. I would buy it in a NY minute! SQUIRREL WARS!

http://realestate.msn.com/arti...d=20781850>1=35000

Some bright spark decided to introduce Grey Squirrels from the US to the UK. They have now almost entirely eliminated the native Red Squirrel species from the English mainland, though I believe there are a few pockets of resistance elsewhere in the UK.

Naturally, I support the Reds in their ongoing struggle against Yankee Imperialism.

I ate some Cajun Squirrel crisps today.

Well, if ya want to get rid of them pesky "Tree Rats", you might as well have fun doing it.

Squirrel Fishing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8wwceaN4n8

quote:

Originally posted by Aimail101:
I ate some Cajun Squirrel crisps today.

REVENGE!!

quote:

Originally posted by AndyJWest:
Some bright spark decided to introduce Grey Squirrels from the US to the UK. They have now almost entirely eliminated the native Red Squirrel species from the English mainland, though I believe there are a few pockets of resistance elsewhere in the UK.

Naturally, I support the Reds in their ongoing struggle against Yankee Imperialism.

They probably ate them andy.

quote:

Originally posted by AndyJWest:
Some bright spark decided to introduce Grey Squirrels from the US to the UK. They have now almost entirely eliminated the native Red Squirrel species from the English mainland, though I believe there are a few pockets of resistance elsewhere in the UK.

Naturally, I support the Reds in their ongoing struggle against Yankee Imperialism.

And we have the same problem with many species not native to North America.

And another great thing is we have the capabilities to keep them under control.

Is there any special trick to keep them away?

I was thinking cookies and uhhhh...i'll just call it Alka Selsior, but that seems a bit brutal.



Bill

Other than what is suggested in the original link, the only thing I can think of is to get a cat: it won't kill many, but it may deter them a little.

Mostly though, just make sure they can't get into your attic, as it says in the article.

Here in the UK, they are not really seen as a pest in themselves, it is just a pity they have driven out the red squirrels - much nicer looking:

http://www.scarysquirrel.org/

K2

I see these guys occasionally in Northern Virginia.



The American Red is pretty rare in my experience.



Fox Squirrel or Red Fox Squirrel is more common.

And of course the Grays have their agenda.



Squirrels are undoubtedly a nuisance, but I always admired their ingenuity and tenacity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhyCL-ELRxg




I only see gray squirrels, but the raccoons are more of nuisance, and they can grow quite big sometimes.

Fortunately, no racoons around here. Foxes are the biggest nuisance - they will tip over bins to get scraps. They also make a godawful row during the mating season - if you didn't know what it was, you'd think it was a baby being strangled. They are getting bolder too, you sometimes see them in broad daylight - they evidently know there's not much chance of being chased by a pack of dogs and a bunch of toffs on horseback around here. I think the biggest danger they face is traffic.

Another introduced species we see a lot of are ring-necked parakeets (originaly from northern India I believe). They are now breeding all along the Thames valley. Pretty to look at, but rather noisy:

quote:

Originally posted by AndyJWest:
Some bright spark decided to introduce Grey Squirrels from the US to the UK. They have now almost entirely eliminated the native Red Squirrel species from the English mainland, though I believe there are a few pockets of resistance elsewhere in the UK.

Naturally, I support the Reds in their ongoing struggle against Yankee Imperialism.

The Grey squirrel was a bad one to introduce to England as they are extremely aggressive. Back in the part of Indiana where I grew up we have the Fox squirrel, which is the type in the picture in the first post. But the Grays were invading and chasing out the Fox only about 40 miles north of my hometown, only about 20 years ago. I often wonder if the 70 acres of woods I grew up cavorting in still has the Fox species or if the Grey has taken over. The only thing the Fox has going for it is it's little bigger and heavier. But the Grey is a better and more manueverable climber.