>>>Message: 3 From: nancy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [OGD] squirrels and capsaicin
Hi Peter - I have to argue with you on this issue; I've tried spraying with hot sauce, to no avail. Two years ago, I mixed a pound of ground cayenne with a pound of white grease, and smeared the mixture on the legs and tops of my wooden orchid racks (think 6' tall saw horses). Didn't bother the squirrels one bit! I even saw them cleaning their feet by licking - no reaction. A person at our local Wild Birds Unlimited said that squirrels hate the bitter taste of safflower seed, so mixing in a good proportion at first 'trains' them to avoid your bird feeders - I have also found a bottle of safflower oil, and may try that as an oil spray if our temps ever cool down. For what it's worth - Nancy<<< Hi Nancy, Well, just like some humans, some squirrels are more resistant to the taste then others probably. I have to admit I haven't tried it on squirells (I did on mice and voles) as they are no problem in here. There are none. I have however given teh advice to a friend living in a wooded region where (red, european) squirrels were a problem and it helped. I haven't heard him complain about any vinegar or sodium problems, It may be however that the added vinegar or salt-taste did the trick with the squirrels. >>>From: "Barbara" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [OGD] Orchids Digest, Vol 8, Issue 235 < 2. Squirrel sauce picquant (Peter Mudde) - I've started to permit my son to target them with my BB rifle. Incredibly and maddeningly destructive - for some reason, encyclia and certain laelia p'bulbs are very attractive to them.> Hi Peter, Please don't let you son use the BB rifle on those little guys. <<< Don't worry Barbara. This was a piece of another message which accidently had my name under it. Rifles are not allowed in the Netherlands and if I would see any son of mine pointing one at an animal I would have a serious talk with him (This being an understatement). I can however imagine squirrels being such a problem that you actually want to shoot every one of them. Another anti-squirrel trick I learned about as the use of glue on trees and poles you dont want them on. If they have had the experience of getting stuck on a pole by the glue, being exposed to great dangers,, (dogs, cats humans..), such an experience seems to warn them of for a season. You may have too free an occasional squirrel from the sticky glue. Beware.. they can and will BITE.. Greetings.. _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com