Posts Tagged ‘squirrels’
Tulip Poplar Dropping Green Seed Pods
Q: My tulip poplar has been dropping green seed pods for a couple of weeks. They fall every 20 minutes or so all day long. A: The regular dropping you describe sounds like the work of squirrels. Poplar seeds, like...
Birds – Attracting
To attract birds at any time of the year, select plants that provide nectar, fruits, berries or nuts. There are many trees and shrubs that offer fruit or berries long into fall and even through winter. The small apples of...
Wildlife – Attracting with Good Habitat
Last week I listed food plants that attract wildlife to a landscape. Persimmon, apple, plum and blueberry plants were high on my roster but I also described oak, dogwood, serviceberry, beautyberry, cherry laurel, red buckeye, mulberry and honey locust. I...
Deer Repellent – One Gardener’s Experiences
Deer can cause a LOT of damage to a landscape in winter. With their normal green food gone, your shrubbery and pansies look pretty inviting to deer….even when it is close to the house. I have no magic bullet repellent...
Squirrel – Control
Squirrels present us with one of the most vexing wildlife control problems. The noise they make in an attic can be unnerving – especially in the middle of the night. Perhaps you should listen to this song to make you...
Wildlife – Attracting
Rick Hindman recently sent me an e-mail requesting information on attracting wildlife. It gave me a great opportunity to brush up on the food needs of wild animals. In Rick’s words, “I live in Carroll county, and I want to...
Nuisance Animals – Controlling
Controlling nuisance animals can be a frustrating business. They often seem smarter than any educated human hopes to be – eluding traps, disregarding repellents and generally acting as if our efforts are useless. Wildlife specialists use a four-step sequence to...
Fig – Damaged by Rabbit
Q: Something is chewing on my big fig bush! All of the damage is within eighteen inches of the ground. There is nothing up higher. With this much damage will the fig be harmed? A: The key to your description...
Osage Orange – Identification
Q: We picked this strange fruit from the Confederate cemetery in Jonesboro and wondered if you could identify it for us and also tell us if it is edible. A: When I worked for the Extension service in Clayton county,...
Flying Squirrel – In Birdhouse
Q: This weekend while cleaning up my backyard I encountered an unexpected resident in our bluebird house. I cannot see the tail or markings. I look forward to your reply. A: You have a flying squirrel! They commonly make their...
Rat and Mouse – Control
Q: Do you know of any Internet sites that discuss control of rodents? A: The key to controlling outdoor rodents like rats, squirrels and chipmunks is to understand carrying capacity and seasonality. Every landscape has the capacity to support a...
Squirrel – Digging in Pot
Q: I missed your talk about dealing with squirrels on the radio a week ago. I have a wooded backyard and want to plant some hellebores (Lenten rose) that I have in pots. Every time I put out something the...
Squirrel – Relocation Problems
Q: As a wildlife rehabilitator, I feel I need to respond to your article about trapping squirrels in the attic. I appreciate your reference to “humane traps”, but you didn’t indicate what people are to do with these creatures AFTER...
Animals in Attic- Control
Q: I hear heavy thumps and thuds in my attic in the middle of the night. Also, something seems to be chewing the wood up there. Would raccoons do this? A: It is possible that raccoons have taken up residence...
Sapsucker – I.D and Control
Q: There are lots of small holes in my Bradford pear, making several rings around the trunk. Is this a borer or a bird? A: You are seeing the damage caused by a yellow-bellied sapsucker. This bird is a member...
Squirrel – Parasites (Bot Fly)
Q: I have noticed several squirrels with bleeding lumps on their skin. Do you know what disease this is? A: For some gardeners, a few less squirrels in the world would be a godsend. Others, though, enjoy watching the antics...
Squirrel – Chewing on Siding
Q: We recently had our house painted. Suddenly something is chewing on the siding, window sills and other areas. There were some boards replaced so I suppose some creature could be trying to get to something they hid behind damaged...
Squirrel – Disturbing Plants
Q: I missed your talk about dealing with squirrels on the radio a week ago. I have a wooded backyard and want to plant some hellebores (Lenten rose) that I have in pots. Every time I put out something the...
