The garden may have slowed down, but the tree rats are hard at it.
At least we assume squirrels are to blame for the chaw marks we’re seeing in our butternut squash and pumpkins. As Roxie was surveying the damage to our vine crops today, she heard something plop to the ground from out of the branches above.
A half eaten roma tomato.
"You're going for a ride, Mr. Bushytail."
So apparently the red-pepper spray that some swear by has once again proven ineffective. I don’t have $10.99 to waste on a bad product, but we felt we had to give it a try. Or maybe it does work, but just not as well as it might.
Had we failed to spray the gourds with pepper spray might we have nothing left to show for all those vines snaking across one half of the garden?
It’s immaterial. We have to do something. Moments ago, Roxie came into report the damage and summon the dog to duty. Einstein had planned to spend his afternoon on the couch, but now he’s on squirrel patrol.
Me, I scooped out a dollop of peanut butter and set it aside in a plastic bowl. Squirrel bait. I’ll draw from it as needed. We’ll see if the little devils can be convinced to spring the inaptly named “hav-a-hart ” trap that I just now placed between the vine crops and the tomatoes.
Yes, it’s a live trap. And don’t worry, I won’t harm the little darlings. But I personally have no heart when it comes to thieving squirrels. All those collected will be taken for a little ride and let off in strange territory.
Let me be on record as saying that I certainly hope the relocated rodents get along with resident squirrels in their new homes. But as squirrels are territorial, don’t count on it.
Survival of the fittest, Mr. Bushytail.
Posted by: Mike
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