We grow Atlantic Giant Pumpkins. Two years ago during the July dry spell the local squirrel population aquired a taste for pumpkin vine. We have tried the trap/relocate program, which progressed to the trap and swim program ( no squirrels passed the swimming test ) but still can't keep up with the invasion. Once the young plant has outgrown it's hoophouse, and the weather is too hot they are open to attack. It is impractical to build fencing around the vines as they can grow up to a foot a day. Does anyone have suggestions to keep the squirrels out? Is there any ground track, like a spike belt, on the market which they wouldn't walk over? Any ideas welcome.
I own a pest control company, and I know what you're going through. I would get even more aggessive with the trap/relocate method. Double or triple up the number of traps. Maintaining an arsenal of traps is probably your best shot, unless you can import some foxes and hawks. Don't try the alternative food method, as they will eat whatever you place near the pumpkins, multiply like crazy, and then eat the pumpkins anyway, except in even greater numbers. There are electronic devices, like "Yard Guard," etc, but with trying things, there's an expense. May, or may not work. Good luck, Al
Had a similar problem i went to a local pet store and ask them to save me some of there snake skins when they shed. I placed them under the vines and every rodent in the yard vanished. Also works with feline skat but it could mess with your soil ph i would try snake shed first.
If trapping, don't relocate. Garbage can filled with water better destination. Eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels are not native out here anyway, so it's like trapping and killing Norway and wharf rats.
Try these: http://www.bowhunting.net/susieq/squirrel.html http://www.backwoodsbound.com/zsquir.html http://www.jerrysbaitandtackle.com/Recipes/Squirrel.htm Then you can be the Giant Eating Squirrels
If you're like me and don't want to encourage invasive species but aren't willing to murder them either, another (albeit more expensive) option is to get the individual squirrels sterilized. You could then either release them away from your property or, if you can't find a way to keep new squirrels out, you could always just re-release the old ones ON your property in the hopes that the sterile 'territory holders' will stop new recruits from moving into the area (it works for wolves & other territorial species). Of course, you'll still be left with a baseline population to fend off but at least they won't be multiplying.... Personally, I'd look into building a large pre-fabricated enclosure (of netting or chickenwire) around your whole pumpkin patch before you even start planting the seeds. Then you wouldn't be playing catch-up with the vine growth but could protect the plants from nibbling squirrels too. Just a suggestion.
