Remember yesterday when I wrote about my sunflowers? “Three others are likewise showing their stuff, but who knows how long they’ll stand,” I told you. “I guess it’s just a matter of time.”
I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning, and I should have obeyed my instinct because this was the first thing I saw.
This is war. Do you have any idea how hard I’ve worked and for how long, and how much money I’ve spent, to get these flowers going? Yes, you do. My blood is boiling. I don’t know an effective way to proceed, but a Draconian response is required. My mind happily goes to violence—shotgun, poison, land mines or at least a slingshot or darts. But no. What I really need is something that targets only the perps without putting neighbors and other animals in danger. Ideas?
As a final “FU, Ginna” gesture, they decapitated one of the fallen soldiers. I truly give up.
Do remember to keep your blood pressure level low — or the squirrels will REALLY have won!
this is unbelievable. this must be a special kind of squirrel. we always had tons around here, but not destroying everything. are there options to control them?
The BASTARDS, pardon my French!
I found a handy article, which has a few new things you might try:
* “Turn up their noses. Squirrels are offended by many of the same scents as deer, so repellents like Plantskydd Deer Repellent work well. You can also try a thin layer of coffee grounds or tucking a small amount of dog hair around and under plants.”
* “Use companion plants. Discourage squirrels by surrounding or inter-planting with varieties that they turn their noses up to, like mint, marigolds, nasturtiums, or mustard. You can also try crown imperial bulbs (Fritillaria), but it is recommended that you plant these far away from inhabited areas such as patios or porches because of their strong skunk-like smell.”
* “Cover the ground. Squirrels don’t particularly like the feel of mulch (especially gravel) under their feet, so add it to garden beds. When used over newly planted bulbs, it can also help disguise the scent of the fresh bulbs. You might also try laying down aluminum foil.”
Plus this:
“Get a dog. Most dogs love to chase squirrels. Put them on squirrel patrol and let them scare the squirrels away.”
Ha ha ha.
https://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/squirrels.html
Thanks, Marianna, Lulu and Small for your posted and emailed suggestions. I’ve tried countless Internet-inspired solutions, from hanging shiny CDs off peach tree branches to spreading pure chicken manure around the base of plants to saturating them with a variety of solutions, from commercial repellents (didn’t faze them) to peppermint oil. Boy, did they love that peppermint oil. The scent must have summoned psychopathic rodents from near and far to unite in their plan to decapitate all five of the just-blossomed, purple-streaked carnations on my back deck.
Good to know that there are still some new deterrents to try (like coffee grounds), but you know what? I really do give up. Every time it happens (daily), it’s bad for my brain AND my body as I careen in stages through shock, disappointment, bafflement, frustration, hopelessness and of course rage, not to mention worry about the wasted money. I’m done. Mama don’t allow no horticulture ’round here, though it’s inevitable I must face another peach season against them. I’ll worry about that when the time comes.
There’s always knitting. I’m not bad at that. (Thank you for your continued project inspiration, Marianna!)
I’m so, so sorry!