How Can I Get Rid Of Squirrels?

[Mairzydotes]

We moved in to a house backing on to a school playing field in 2009. We consider ourselves lucky - we enjoy hearing the children at their sports, and have a row of mature trees in the lane between us and the field which give us pleasure, as the colours change through the seasons.
There have always been just a couple of squirrels, which have been no trouble. However this year has seen a population explosion of them, and they are making our lives a misery.
We have a peach tree, a plum tree and a fig tree and this year have had NO fruit at all. All the immature fruits have been nibbled and thrown to the ground. We didn't have a single taste of any.
We have two 'bird stations', each having four hooks for feeders at the top of a long pole. This year the squirrels have shinned up the poles and stolen the birds' food from the feeders, run off with the fat balls and chewed the string of the peanuts in shells I fixed to the feeder (to give the birds a bit of exercise in getting the nuts out) then sat happily on the ground eating the lot!
I have sorted that problem by buying two Squirrel Baffles (available on Amazon) which resemble large inverted pudding bowls in clear plastic. These, when screwed high up on the feeder pole making it impossible for the pests to get at the feeders - I take great delight in seeing their expressions of frustration when their heads hit the inside of the bowl!
However they have saved their worst until last. Last week I paid a handyman who does various jobs for us, to plant over £35 worth of spring bulbs in pots, and in the borders - at 86, I can no longer do such things for myself.
The wretched creatures have dug up and eaten the lot!
So I would welcome ideas on anything I can (legally) do to get rid of these creatures, and failing that, how can I protect my fruit and bulbs in the future? HELP PLEASE!

[dannyk13]

Some information here:-
https://www.google.co.uk/search?ei=MzQxWqPOKYuZkwX9xq6IAw&q=how+to+get+rid+of+squirrels+in+garden&;oq=how+to+gget+rid+of+squirrels&gs_l=psy-ab.1.3.0i13k

[albaqwerty]

not an ideal solution - a brother of Mr Alba lives in semi-rural area and invested in a high-powered water pistol and takes pot shots (or should that be pot squirting?) at the little beggars.

[malagabob]

Firstly I know it’s hard, but stop putting food out for birds especially nuts.

[roslyn251254]

something like this ....it works for cats ... you can change the settings for other animals
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[paddywak]

If you are lucky enough to have reds there's nothing you can do as they are legally protected, so just learn to enjoy them.If they are grey tree rats I've found a .410 to very effective and provided you are not using it in a dangerous manner and you have the appropriate licenses it is perfectly legal.I don't know if the laws have changed but greys were once classed as vermin and if you trapped one it had to be destroyed in a humane way and not released.

[Islay]

I love all squirrels and the though of shooting them is truly horrifying!
Sorry but I wouldn't mind giving up a piece of fruit for them.

[sapelesam]

English Springer Spaniel. Our late beloved dog hated squirrels. We have a large garden and the squirrels had to travel on the ground, cue one sneaky spaniel who used to hide in the bushes and ambush them. They soon got the message.

[EDDIE51]

Already said, but you have to stop feeding the birds, birds and squirrels eat the same food, so putting out bird food just attracts squirrels. There will always be some food dropped so there will always be food for them even with the Baffles.

[Mairzydotes]

Thank you for the suggestions - please keep them coming! They are definitely GREY squirrels. My brother lives in Scotland and is lucky enough to have visiting red squirrels, who are no problem what ever.
In reply to magalabob, the birds need all the help we can give, especially in the winter.
In reply to Islay - I wouldn't mind giving up a piece of fruit either. But the whole crop???

[woofgang]

squirrels are still vermin and cannot be released into the wild if captured. The problem with them is the same as the problem with foxes, rats and so on....where there is suitable shelter and a food source, you can shoot as many as you like but other squirrels will move in and breed. What is needed is to make the environment hostile so reduce the food source, yes a dog or a cat to make the environment unsafe. Can you net your fruit trees?

[hc4361]

Greys are classed as vermin and it is legal to shoot them. It is illegal to trap them and release them elsewhere - if you choose to trap them you must kill them.
The ultrasonic repellent certainly didn't repel squirrels in my garden - I tried two.

They are a nuisance and impossible to stop. Regularly (several times a day) clear up seed and nuts dropped to the ground from the bird feeders to try and deter them but as you are growing fruit you are encouraging in to your garden.
Pointless caging your bulbs as the blighters can dig underneath.

I am sorry to say that unless you are prepared to shoot them you are fighting a losing battle

[EDDIE51]

Yes getting a dog like a terrier or a cat is the only other answer.
The dog / cat will chase them away , but will not be able to touch the birds up on the feeders.

[Baldric]

At 86, I can't help but wonder how good a shot Mairzydotes would be?

[hc4361]

Cats also kill garden birds - they are the biggest threat to birds. It is estimated that they kill 55 million birds every year so not ideal for bird lovers.

The squirrels sit on the fence and taunt my neighbours' alsation. The dog certainly doesn't stop them climbing the trees

[Islay]

I happily give up my apple and pear crop to the squirrels and birds that live in my orchard!

[Mairzydotes]

Oh Baldric... luckily I would hate deliberately to kill anything, but if I did get a gun, I'd advise evacuation of a large area round my house!
I can still get good and mad, though!

[Baldric]

Good for you ;o)

[tamborine]

Figs, plums & peaches are cheap in season. Otherwise am sure you can buy them throughout the year if you search. Fruit are certainly not worth killing wildlife for.

[hc4361]

You can choose to look at the positive side of it, Mair. The squirrels eat the dropped seed and nuts before the rats get to it.

[smudge]

We have bird feeding stations in our back garden & the squirrels pop down daily from the nearby church gardens for a munch. They either do acrobats trying to eat from the peanut or fat ball feeders, of an apple or two from our tree. It really doesn't bother - I'd rather that, than days gone by with kids shouting & screaming on a trampoline! :)