How to discourage squirrels?

[Cmitchell]

Hi Folks

Has anyone any suggestions as to how we could get rid (humanely) of a large family of squirrels?

We have two very large woodland pine trees, and we know there is a drey in each tree.  There are about 4 generations of squirrels now and they are getting a little out of hand, eating all the bird food, eating newly germinated shoots and digging up bulbs to eat, not to mention gnawing into nest boxes etc.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Mitchell

[smudge]

We experience the same problems as you & it can be very frustrating finding that they've dug up all the bulbs you've just painstakingly planted - gggrrr!

Having said that, I do like to watch the squirrels antics & find them most amusing, especially when they're racing round the garden at 90 mph!

We have many squirrel proof bird feeders & had to get rid of our bird table, as not only did they pinch the food, they stripped the roof of its thatch!

There's not much you can do to deter them - I know because we've tried - well not very hard though, because I feed them too!

[smudge]

P.S. If you go to Google & type in 'deterring squirrels' there are a few web sites on the subject. Good luck.

[zaskar]

...how 'bout this?

http://www.eecs.harvard.edu/~yaz/en/squirrel_fishing.htm l

[smudge]

Very amusing zaskar!

[farm]

you mention soap shavings but do birds get put off by this