Squirrel Wars

[fredericks]

DSC00827
Originally uploaded by fredericksx

We have an apple tree in our backyard. The tree produces rather tart inedible fruit, but it looks lovely when it blooms. We also have squirrels that have laid claim to our backyard. Their numbers have increased since last summer (we found two separate "nests" this year), and they've progressed from grabbing half-ripe apples from the tree to stealing vegetables from our garden. My father made it his mission last summer to accost the little critters whenever possible: he'd pick up rotten apples from the ground and throw them at those squirrels that decided to taunt us by eating the fruits and veggies of our labors in our lines of view. This summer he actually had a friend lay some "squirrel poison" in and around the largest nest. To no avail - the squirrels actually seemed to have chucked the poison out of their homes before moving to a harder to locate area. And it would seem that our furry friends have started toying with us hardcore: the pic is of a cucumber that was picked from the vine and then left on the railing directly in front of our backdoor. Not only did those bastards eat half of it, but they left scraps leading all the way down the porch.

I'm pretty sure my father's going to bust out a shotgun and Elmer Fudd-style hat one of these days and go ballistic.

Comments

[sometimesdee.livejournal.com]

Shotgun in Queens? My deer huntin' husband suggests that a bb-gun would be more effective on such a small critter, anyway.

[sternel.livejournal.com]

My dad actually took one out with an air pistol a few weeks ago. We left it there for a day or so as a Warning before the stink got to be too much and we made him pack it up.

But then again we're out in the burbs so it's a little easier to pull shenanigans like that.

[sometimesdee.livejournal.com]

I thought you were in Hollis for some reason.

[sternel.livejournal.com]

::blinks:: Not even close! Western Suffolk, actually.

[anogete.livejournal.com]

Ha! That's fantastic. Err, well, not for your dad. But it gave me a laugh. :-)

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

It gives me a laugh almost every day. Those squirrels are devious as all hell.

[blood-of-winter.livejournal.com]

even the squirrels have 'tude in NY apparently

thanks for lulz :)

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

*grin* No problem. I'll probably have more crazy wildlife stories before winter hits.

[orpheus78.livejournal.com]

It's a good thing that you don't have gopher problems or you might end up re-enacting Cadyshack. ;)

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Ha. With these squirrels I don't think you could tell otherwise.

[captainschlumpy.livejournal.com]

These squirrels are obviously evil geniuses. You might have to go trap and euthanize on the little critters. They have it out for your dad.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I'm telling you. They're like honorary gang members or something.
Not that I'm against my dad being harassed, but if they get into the squash and tomatoes shit is going to go *down*.

[darker-one.livejournal.com]

That's awesome! I mean, I'd be totally annoyed if it was happening to me, but you've got to admit, it's pretty funny.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I admit it is HILARIOUS. Most of the time. Not so much when the squirrels gang up on our trash bags and we have to clean up the front of the house, but yeah. We're going to have to take steps to get them gone if they keep breeding like rabbits.