Have your neighbors complained about squirrels?

[squirrelena]

My good neighbor of 19 years wrote me a letter asking that I stop feeding nuts to the squirrels from May to October. She indicated that my squirrels bury the nuts in her flower pots/beds and dig up her annuals. She said her summer was "miserable" because of this.

I have experienced the squirrels digging up my flowers but I just stick them back into the dirt and most survive. I think it is extreme to ask that I do not feed nuts in the shell for six months.

I'm looking at moving where I feed (not so close to her property line) and feeding less "in the shell", but this about the best I can offer her unless you guys have some suggestions.

I'm a rehabber and I put food out to support squirrels I've released, so NOT feeding them is NOT an option for me. Any ideas welcome. Thanks.

[JLM27]

Yes, I would go over and talk to your neighbor face-to-face. My squirrels destroyed some of my plants. That was OK with me, and they didn't seem to bother anyone else. Only put out a few handfuls of nuts at a time. Any more than they want to eat, and they will be burying them, especially in August, Sept and October.

[TinyPaws]

None of my neighbors complain...I've told them if they find shelled nuts in their yard to take them and eat them..I let them know they are good to eat...All you need to do, I say, is wash them.....

As for the holes they dig....good airation for the lawn....for the flowers...perhaps she can put gravel or stones around the plants.....

[CritterMom]

May I suggest that you offer to help her if they do any damage, like assist in re-potting, etc., and then do it? It is hard to be nasty to someone who offers to remedy the situation, and it may give you the opportunity to get a little friendlier with her. Perhaps if she watched a baby squirrel nursing on a syringe, she might change her tune. It's that honey/vinegar/fly catching thing...

[whopoopwrasse]

Well I guess I'll go against everyone's grain and say I would tell her 'politely' to stick her letter where the sun don't shine. :wahoo As far as I know it isn't illegal to feed the squirrels where I live and whether they get nuts from my yard or any other yard... it's what they do.

I feed pecans, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, all in the shell along with peanut in the shell and shelled. Yup they bury them all over my yard but I've never noticed any ripped up plants so I guess my squirrels are more careful :D

I've been living here for 26 years and have always been careful not to get too friendly with my neighbors for fear of having history repeat itself. Before moving here, I had a neighbor that I got friendly with and she literally thought my house was her house! She would pop in everyday, plunk herself at my kitchen table and stay there practically the whole day. This was at 7:00am! And at the time I was too polite/gullible/softy to do anything about it so when I moved I vowed to keep things to a "hello, nice day huh?" :wave123

[TinyPaws]

I wouldn't want to ruffle any feathers (or squirrel tails)..she may take it out on the squirrels...and that would be awful...

I think open communication is the way to start.....

[atlantasquirrelgirl]

I think it was a good thing that your neighbor tried to communicate the issue rather than call an exterminator. You can make you own squirrel suets with pieces of nuts, or give theme their nuts in pieces so they have just enough to eat, and nothing of interest to bury. Mine usually don't try to bury pieces.

[JLM27]

My guys like to rip up the annuals, but they leave the perennials pretty much alone, maybe it is the deep roots that are safer from them. They are murder on impatiens. I had to put down hardware cloth all around the plants and cover it up with dirt. Some of my perennials they bit the leaves off of, but only when they were pups. The bleeding hearts also break very easily when they walk on them; even though these are perennials, they have tender stems, and they destroyed them last summer, but not this summer.

I betcha she has a lot of tender annuals. Maybe you could work with her to get some perennials in there that are not as fragile as the annuals. Also, if she is using bone meal fertilizer on her bulbs, I heard that can draw any number of rodents besides squirrels.

[PBluejay2]

May I suggest that you offer to help her if they do any damage, like assist in re-potting, etc., and then do it? It is hard to be nasty to someone who offers to remedy the situation, and it may give you the opportunity to get a little friendlier with her. Perhaps if she watched a baby squirrel nursing on a syringe, she might change her tune. It's that honey/vinegar/fly catching thing...

:goodpost This is exactly what I did with an old lady across the street who used to shoot squirrels with a bb gun because they ate the bird seed she put out every morning. She is otherwise a sweet old lady who gives all the neighbors fudge every Xmas. One day I invited her into my house, showed her some babies and let her watch me feed them, told her how much I loved them and about some of their antics and natural history and intelligence. Since then she's asked me if I have any new squirrels (which I always do) and would I mind showing them to her grand daughters and such. I haven't heard that bb gun since :D

[buckshot307]

:goodpost This is exactly what I did with an old lady across the street who used to shoot squirrels with a bb gun because they ate the bird seed she put out every morning. She is otherwise a sweet old lady who gives all the neighbors fudge every Xmas. One day I invited her into my house, showed her some babies and let her watch me feed them, told her how much I loved them and about some of their antics and natural history and intelligence. Since then she's asked me if I have any new squirrels (which I always do) and would I mind showing them to her grand daughters and such. I haven't heard that bb gun since :D


Haha i made a bird feeder out of wood and plexiglass and had it hangin in my front yard and squirrels made the food holes big enough to crawl in and they just sit there eating all the time!

But as for the neighbor a polite approache would be best. lotta people take it to heart for some reason when someones shows a hint of meaness to them and no matter how many times you apologize they'll never git it out of there head that your a hateful person. Try and do somethin for them rather than askin them to do somethin to prevent it

[squirrelena]

:thankyou
You guys are just awesome. Thank you so much for the support, advice and helpful suggestions. I really appreciate it. I feel empowered!:wahoo

JLM27: GOOD idea! I didn't even think of breaking up my feeding times - during the summer months, the days are longer and I can feed before AND after work. I also agree about the babies liking the annuals - they particularly liked my salvia blossoms. Fortunately, most times the salvia will grow back, just takes longer for blossoms.

TinyPaws: I needed a good laugh - but I actually know a neighbor that would wipe 'em on his pants and eat 'em! Also, I agree with you over the concern re: the neighbor actually hurting squirrels in some way...I don't talk much about my rehabilitative work anymore because I didn't want to draw attention to it.

Whopoopwrasse: My first reaction was anger because we have known each other so long and I have really tried to be a good neighbor. For the last two Aprils - when the snow melts - I have gone over with my leaf blower and have blown the shells into a pile and bagged them up for her. I told her I felt responsible for the "shell litter". Also, I do hold back info now and don't discuss the squirrel rehab work - I've got 6 baby fox and 1 baby grey I'm about to release and I don't want any problems.

Atlantasquirrelgirl: My neighbor usually telephones me with issues or news, so the fact she wrote a letter and mailed it to me indicated the seriousness of this situation to her (and her husband). I'm going to cut back on all shelled nuts from June to August. The non-shell food is yummy and I usually soft release so the juveniles can get back into their cages for a bit if they want some nuts.

CritterMom: The offer to assist in repair (or even planting) is a good one. My neighbor is in her 70's and her health hasn't been great and her garden is very small - frankly, I would enjoy helping her garden or repair damage for her. Also, it is a good idea to show her the babies when I go to help...

PBluejay2: That was very smart how you handled that. My neighbor usually likes squirrels - she even gave me dishtowels with squirrels on them last X-mas.

Buckshot307: I agree with you, too. Nice is also more my style.

Thanks, again, guys. :jump

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi Squirrelena
One of my neighbors told me she walked in the woods looking for her cat. One or more Squirrels tried to attack her :D She said they were trying to bite her. :sanp3 They even chased her out of the woods. :rofl4 I should not feed them. :shakehead DON"T make pets out of them. She got very mean and nasty.:frustratedx (She thought I got rid of her cat,s) I told her No :nono I did not do anything to her cats. I told her it was not illegal to feed squirrels. The town know I rehab squirrels and birds. They have no problems with me doing that. I told her I will continue to feed birds, Squirrels. I only release what I find hear. The rest goes somewhere else. "She said she was a big softies,:skwredup and feed all strayer's.:thinking I told her what is the different??? I feed Squirrels and birds. Now what you do is very illegal feeding all the strays cats and dogs. I told her what she just said was a catch 22.:poke You feed strays. I feed wildlife. Bird's, and squirrels. Besides the squirrel she was talking about was ROCKI and her kids:D I told her. All she had to do was keep on walking she would have ran. " hear is the kicker She had a stray dog with her" I may be blond BUT not born yesterday.:rolf The Squirrels would have not come out to her with the dog loose. Not even for her.They might have hung in the tree and screamed. That is all that would have happened. Then she proceeded to tell me she saw a Coyote the other day. She has 5 or 6 cats. all are TOMS and when she leaves for the weekend the people she has feeding them never show up to feed.:shakehead They know when animal control comes be my house. I leave cage in front yard for all to see. I know neighbors cat look like. I don't turn them over to animal control. All the people know I try to find homes for most strays. Unless they are wild. I agree with all the other posts. I always try to talk nice and help out.:) But sometimes it does not work. I hope you get things worked out . Take care Christal

[Moneypenny4M]

I wouldn't want to ruffle any feathers (or squirrel tails)..she may take it out on the squirrels...and that would be awful...

I think open communication is the way to start.....

I'm in a dire situation here. I've been feeding squirrels here for YEARS without much of a problem. Until now. It seems squirrels have been digging up my neighbor's vegetable garden. I've given him tip after tip after tip- how to keep them out and he just says he's tried them all. I think he's just too lazy. Last time I talked to him Monday he said he got a gun.

THIS is someone who has flashed me constantly for the years I've been here. And recently grabbed me. I actually did not make a formal complaint because I was afraid he would do something like this. I'm wondering if word got back to him that I complained about his exhibitionism and he decided to declare war. It came out of nowhere. And anyway- squirrels would be digging whether I fed them or not (not feeding is NOT an option)

He complained about me to Housing yet- that "my house is infested with squirrels." Um- not true- and even if it were- they'd be HERE, not THERE! Isn't my house my OWN BUSINESS???? Anyway-I made my own, um, complaint.:nono

[mugzeezma]

I think it was a good thing that your neighbor tried to communicate the issue rather than call an exterminator. You can make you own squirrel suets with pieces of nuts, or give theme their nuts in pieces so they have just enough to eat, and nothing of interest to bury. Mine usually don't try to bury pieces.
Unfortunately you are dealing with more than just a an animal hater...this guy is a sicko all the way around.
Be very careful
there's a warp there that you cannot get interwoven with.

[Moneypenny4M]

Unfortunately you are dealing with more than just a an animal hater...this guy is a sicko all the way around.
Be very careful
there's a warp there that you cannot get interwoven with.

The thing is- he has a dog. Never complained about the squirrels. AND has fed the squirrels himself...in the past. He was always more interested in getting his jollies in front of me. And I was most DEFINITELY NOT interested.:osnap

[UDoWhat]

The thing is- he has a dog. Never complained about the squirrels. AND has fed the squirrels himself...in the past. He was always more interested in getting his jollies in front of me. And I was most DEFINITELY NOT interested.:osnap
Stay away from this guy. It seems to me that he is trying to get you to play his game with him. If you don't, he is trying to make sure you will cooperate by killing squirrels. Do not engage him. He is sick. If you don't play he will get you by hurting what you love. There are laws about people discharging guns in neighborhoods. IN MD I think within 400 yards of another house. Not sure, but there are laws, not to mention flashing and grabbing you. Please be careful. He is not right.

Marty

[crazysquirrels]

Decrative rocks are a HUGE plus to help this. Also move the feed location like you said. Perhaps between the two this will solve most of the issue.

[Moneypenny4M]

Stay away from this guy. It seems to me that he is trying to get you to play his game with him. If you don't, he is trying to make sure you will cooperate by killing squirrels. Do not engage him. He is sick. If you don't play he will get you by hurting what you love. There are laws about people discharging guns in neighborhoods. IN MD I think within 400 yards of another house. Not sure, but there are laws, not to mention flashing and grabbing you. Please be careful. He is not right.

Marty

Thanks, Marty! I knew my customer! I knew even when he was all friendly and all that he could turn on a dime. I've got friends who are going to investigate. He actually called in a complaint to Housing that squirrels were going in my house, getting it infested-blah blah blah! (And even if they were- this is HIS problem? No, the problem is him fondling himself in front of me, exposing himself, etc- and trying to grab me. I'd like squirrels to be the LEAST of his worries!

Trapping outside - not legal. Shooting would, I think, DEFINITELY be illegal here (400 yards? I don't think even 400 FEET separate our houses- they're that close. Puke!) When I was growing up in this house, there were nice people on this block. Not so much any more! I love my house- just do not trust this neighbor!!! I tolerated him before this- the old Michael Corleone adage, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!"

This guy used to feed them and laugh at their antics. Maybe only to try to get in my good graces. Someone told me she saw him trying to look in my window once. Once he blew it by groping, I think he began to turn....now he's complaining there are too damn many squirrels- and about them getting into my house. Unreal!

Maybe if I make them use squirrel condoms there will be fewer?:rotfl

[squirrelfriend]

I don't know if anybody else on here has suggested it but I had peoblems with my neighbors before for the same reason. Now I just give the squirrels nuts out of the shell that are chopped up. The squirrels don't bury those. They will sit on the feeder longer to eat them so you can even view them longer.

[Moneypenny4M]

Stay away from this guy. It seems to me that he is trying to get you to play his game with him. If you don't, he is trying to make sure you will cooperate by killing squirrels. Do not engage him. He is sick. If you don't play he will get you by hurting what you love. There are laws about people discharging guns in neighborhoods. IN MD I think within 400 yards of another house. Not sure, but there are laws, not to mention flashing and grabbing you. Please be careful. He is not right.

Marty

Two days later and a truce has set in here. The squirrels have stopped digging in whatsisface's garden and stopped going into his traps. In his case, he was releasing them right away anyhow, supposedly. A skunk got in there, sprayed him, and apparently the smell is keeping the squirrels away.

And the idiot is all friendly again. Lucky me, huh? Well- I'd rather be on speaking terms because it was extremely tense for over a week. Our houses are way too close together. But HE'S not getting close. Know what I mean?!!

Oh, and some moron apparently called Housing to complain that my house was "infested" with squirrels, that they were going in my walls, etc. Could have been a buttinsky friend of his- not so sure about him- but- unless they are living in MY house and SEE or HEAR squirrels, HOW do they know WHAT is in my house? I could have a MOUNTAIN lion, for that matter! (I don't!) I own my house and regard this kind of nosiness, etc. TOTALLY uncalled for. Worry about your OWN houses! Yes, there are a lot of squirrels AROUND here- but a lot more MORONS!:thinking

[Scooterzmom]

I wouldn't be surprised if the hypocrite neighbour was the one who called them. Wouldn't put it past a lowlife individual like that. :madd

[Moneypenny4M]

I wouldn't be surprised if the hypocrite neighbour was the one who called them. Wouldn't put it past a lowlife individual like that. :madd

Me either. Especially in his exasperated state. Probably called anonymously too. But I have no way of knowing. I think they don't follow up as much with anonymous complaints. I got a call, they just asked if that was the case, I said no, they just told me the kind of things that can happen if they get in, that was it.

Since our houses are so close together, it's good thing we are talking again because it was stressful going out there when he was on a rampage. But NO WAY do I trust him. And the corker is- I think indecent exposure is FAR more serious than having squirrels in your attic/bats in your belfry/whatever! But I never complained- because it's essentially he said/she said- and I live here and am not going anywhere and I want peace or even worse things could happen.

If someone ELSE caught him I would have no problem!:crazy

[gs1]

my neighbours are constantly complaining....i now chop almonds into 3 or 4 pieces and roasted peanuts into 4 pieces too.... i also leave a bowl of chopped 1/2 inch and peeled apple out there ... (less mess)

sometimes i leave pieces of bread as well....

the problem is when the squirrels leave pieces of apple or pieces of bread on the neighbours window sills or fence... but mostly the birds will take anything left over....

but i've also had my neighbour scream at a squirrel that had finished eating and went into her yard to investigate something interesting to him.....

we've had the squirrels chew our deck and when they began to chew one neighbours gate we had to figure out how to stop all the squirrels...

so the bowl of apple works very well... if they're hungry they come and eat and yet there's no great attraction of nuts that make many come ....

we've gone from 12 squirrels to 4 at once in the morning although the regulars still come from time to time ...or if i'm in the yard etc...

i've got 3 neighbour houses that are anti squirrel and it's not safe to antagonize them .... they might try catching and releasing them elsewhere or worse....

there are sprays that might work or additions to gardens etc..like bloodmeal etc.. but my neighbours just see squirrels in the same group as rats and don't feel that they should be doing anything to keep them out of their yards....and it is up to us to stop feeding them.

[UDoWhat]

Two days later and a truce has set in here. The squirrels have stopped digging in whatsisface's garden and stopped going into his traps. In his case, he was releasing them right away anyhow, supposedly. A skunk got in there, sprayed him, and apparently the smell is keeping the squirrels away.

And the idiot is all friendly again. Lucky me, huh? Well- I'd rather be on speaking terms because it was extremely tense for over a week. Our houses are way too close together. But HE'S not getting close. Know what I mean?!!

Oh, and some moron apparently called Housing to complain that my house was "infested" with squirrels, that they were going in my walls, etc. Could have been a buttinsky friend of his- not so sure about him- but- unless they are living in MY house and SEE or HEAR squirrels, HOW do they know WHAT is in my house? I could have a MOUNTAIN lion, for that matter! (I don't!) I own my house and regard this kind of nosiness, etc. TOTALLY uncalled for. Worry about your OWN houses! Yes, there are a lot of squirrels AROUND here- but a lot more MORONS!:thinking
I missed this yesterday. I don't like this guy. :nono I know I'm not your mom, but don't let this guy in your house. It is your house. Doesn't matter who he calls. You can have snakes slithering in and out if you want. Not his business!
I really don't like this guy. What a creep! :shakehead I know you catch more flies with sugar... but touching you is the total limit.

Marty

[Moneypenny4M]

I missed this yesterday. I don't like this guy. :nono I know I'm not your mom, but don't let this guy in your house. It is your house. Doesn't matter who he calls. You can have snakes slithering in and out if you want. Not his business!
I really don't like this guy. What a creep! :shakehead I know you catch more flies with sugar... but touching you is the total limit.

Marty

Thanks, Marty! Don't worry- he's NOT coming in my house! Nor am I going in his house! I think he either called or put someone else in the neighborhood up to it. There's a confederacy of dunces in my area! Small town with small minds to match. Why is it anyone else's business if there are squirrels in my attic, bats in my belfry or whatever? Let them worry about their OWN houses! I have no control over what they do with their houses- and they should butt out when it comes to MINE! And I will feed what I want whenever I want! :thankyou

If I see a house that had anything going in it like that (squirrel, etc) I would NOT butt in. Now if I saw a PERSON breaking in- that's different. Coincidentally- when someone DID break into my house 4 years ago- NOBODY SAW ANYTHING! Priorities ALL mixed up! (Luckily I have an alarm- the creeps got scared off!)
:wahoo

[UDoWhat]

Well of course no one saw the important stuff!!!!:rotfl Seems they were too busy counting squirrels in YOUR backyard to see any one trying to break in your house. :sanp3 Hope he will really back off the squirrels and leave them and you alone. He needs something to do. Hope you had a great Memorial Day.

Marty

[Moneypenny4M]

Well of course no one saw the important stuff!!!!:rotfl Seems they were too busy counting squirrels in YOUR backyard to see any one trying to break in your house. :sanp3 Hope he will really back off the squirrels and leave them and you alone. He needs something to do. Hope you had a great Memorial Day.

Marty

Yes, I did! Hope you did too. Thanks!:peace

[Scooterzmom]

I wonder how he would react if by some odd coincidence a boa constrictor might find its way into his bathroom? :madd or.... do you have scorpions in your area? :devil ;)

[Moneypenny4M]

I wonder how he would react if by some odd coincidence a boa constrictor might find its way into his bathroom? :madd or.... do you have scorpions in your area? :devil ;)

Oh, how I wish......:jump

[UDoWhat]

I wonder how he would react if by some odd coincidence a boa constrictor might find its way into his bathroom? :madd or.... do you have scorpions in your area? :devil ;)
You're funny, Scooterzmom. So do you have boas or scorpions, MoneyPenny4M? Great thinking:rotfl

[Moneypenny4M]

You're funny, Scooterzmom. So do you have boas or scorpions, MoneyPenny4M? Great thinking:rotfl

Know where I can get some? :crazy

Seriously- He Who Complains has his dog out yapping- at 6 am. Guess only OTHER people are supposed to be submissive and shut up and mind their own business?:thinking

[Moneypenny4M]

Okay, what with all this going on- I decided to finally take the big step and certify my yard as a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat. I have pile of brush way in back (habitat) bird feeders (habitat) nuts (habitat) water dish (habitat) tall trees and bushes surrounding my house (habitat) and so on!:thumbsup

Gives me incentive to do even more with it!

[Moneypenny4M]

I missed this yesterday. I don't like this guy. :nono I know I'm not your mom, but don't let this guy in your house. It is your house. Doesn't matter who he calls. You can have snakes slithering in and out if you want. Not his business!
I really don't like this guy. What a creep! :shakehead I know you catch more flies with sugar... but touching you is the total limit.

Marty

I'm a bit worried. Didn't see as many squirrels as usual today. No evidence of anything though. The idiot perv keeps coming outside with his dog the MINUTE I go outside to walk mine. Not talking to me now- just glowering.

He was acting all spazzy near his car late yesterday and I was afraid that he'd blame it on them if something was wrong. But he drove it 3 times today. He came home with lots of bags- but looked innocuous enough (?) Then took off with a flat box- put it on passenger side - I DON'T think it was anything nefarious- but I'm suspicious!

He could have stuff going on that I don't know about but- given the current climate, I'm very suspicious! :dono

[Mads]

I think you have to just not consider the worse case possibilities for your own piece of mind. I know I was working myself up to the point where I would cry just thinking the worse about my favorite squirrels and the stupid kids next door with their guns. I didn't see my two bad eyes, or my female from RI...and then they did appear a few weeks later looking for treats. I had pretty much figured she had killed them off.
Unfortunately, the neighbors don't go away, and the more you try to do to prevent them from hurting the wildlife , the more they want to destroy it. Unless you have total surveillance of their yards, it's hard proving anything.
And even with the camera's, certain ones, probably wouldn't even be legal , especially if the film can be edited.

I did purchase a t-shirt after seeing it on this board last week ....it's my out in the Yard shirt....it's the cute one with squirrels on the front saying "peace for squirrels."

I need neighbors like everyone on this board!!:wott :wott

[wolfysluv]

For cripes sakes. People complain about seeing a piece of nut??? Or apple? Or their soil "moved" in their garden's?

I notice they never say something like they are tearing apart my porch furniture, eating their way into their attic, etc. All they do is yell that it "could" happen. And I do know it's possible. But heck. Ten years here and I've yet to see it. So if it's NOT happening, why do they b*tch?

Some neighbors here say they are "creepy tree rat's". It's all in the perception. If they made great pets and were a common one sold in stores, but hamsters were the wild things ... they'd probably think squirrels were awesome and hamsters were pests. Ya know? Stupid heads.

Hey, I do have one question. Is it really true that chipmunks can "destroy" your foundation? I read that it's a myth. But people swear it is not and it can! I have a big burrow going under mine for the first time in my life. I havne't filled it up, etc, cause I'm scared their might be babies under there lol. Anyone know any fact's about this?

[Moneypenny4M]

I think you have to just not consider the worse case possibilities for your own piece of mind. I know I was working myself up to the point where I would cry just thinking the worse about my favorite squirrels and the stupid kids next door with their guns. I didn't see my two bad eyes, or my female from RI...and then they did appear a few weeks later looking for treats. I had pretty much figured she had killed them off.
Unfortunately, the neighbors don't go away, and the more you try to do to prevent them from hurting the wildlife , the more they want to destroy it. Unless you have total surveillance of their yards, it's hard proving anything.
And even with the camera's, certain ones, probably wouldn't even be legal , especially if the film can be edited.

I did purchase a t-shirt after seeing it on this board last week ....it's my out in the Yard shirt....it's the cute one with squirrels on the front saying "peace for squirrels."

I need neighbors like everyone on this board!!:wott :wott

Well, ONE of my favorites (think it's her) is missing a tail all of a sudden-

And the two that slept in the crawlspace in my window haven't been there since two days ago.

But- they have done this before- they are probably camped out in another cubby hole somewhere. I just got used to them being there and them not being there NOW is sortof unsettling! I saw two casualties around but too far away, I think, to have had it been any of mine and too far away for neighbors to be to blame.

As for proving anything- what I'd LIKE to prove is that my neighbor was giving me an unasked-for peep show the last few years. I never complained then because I was afraid if I pissed him off he would retaliate against me via the squirrels. And certainly looks like my instincts were spot on. I never trusted him with them even when he was pretending to like them. (If he were caught, he'd be going away for a bit, I think)

[Moneypenny4M]

For cripes sakes. People complain about seeing a piece of nut??? Or apple? Or their soil "moved" in their garden's?

I notice they never say something like they are tearing apart my porch furniture, eating their way into their attic, etc. All they do is yell that it "could" happen. And I do know it's possible. But heck. Ten years here and I've yet to see it. So if it's NOT happening, why do they b*tch?

Some neighbors here say they are "creepy tree rat's". It's all in the perception. If they made great pets and were a common one sold in stores, but hamsters were the wild things ... they'd probably think squirrels were awesome and hamsters were pests. Ya know? Stupid heads.

Hey, I do have one question. Is it really true that chipmunks can "destroy" your foundation? I read that it's a myth. But people swear it is not and it can! I have a big burrow going under mine for the first time in my life. I havne't filled it up, etc, cause I'm scared their might be babies under there lol. Anyone know any fact's about this?

Not sure, they seem too small to cause any sort of real damage and I would never hurt a chipmunk- I wish I had some here! I used to have one that climbed on my hand and I'd be able to stuff his mouth with raw almonds. EIGHT AT A TIME! This was at a fire escape landing yet. I miss him so much!

Some neighbor blamed them for chewing his truck wires but I think HE'S short wired. I park about as close to their feeding site as you could get and they leave my car alone. Maybe because I DON'T TRAP THEM!!!!:nono

[Runestonez]

OK...I am an avid gardener...and GS1 can back me up cause she's seen my home and gardens...It's so stinking green it's sickening.
We live in an urban area...so def not in the boonies.
Now I manage to keep all these lovely fluffy gardens while feeding all the wildies...and we have 4 groundhogs, and cottontails.
Not one digs up my plants, noms on plants or destroys a thing.

I have heard a number of gardeners complain about squirrels destroying this and that...and yet they have the exact same plants as I do.
Now I will say the hoggies cropped back my phlox and daisies...but they didn't harm them!
I am biased here...but I think its more a case of scapegoating than actual destruction! :rotfl
If it doesn't grow...blame the wildlife!:D
The one time squirrels did dig up a plant they left me a chesnut tree...a fair trade I'd say!:tilt

[Scooterzmom]

Don't get me started on anti-squirrel neighbors :gun2

I have actually bought another house, am moving after 33 years of living in the same place, 33 years of lovingly taking care and improving my little house and yard... BECAUSE my "witch" of a neighbor has declared war on me and my squirrels (trying to remain polite here I'm using a "w" in the word when describing a person like her I should use a "b"). :devil The whole thing is, in fact it is nothing but a vengeance that she seeks, has nothing to do with the squirrels causing any harm to her property at all - a very long story short, city hall nailed her for non-compliance to a whole bunch of by-laws and she blames me for that. So, for the last 6 years now she's been waging war on me, harrassing me and my squirrels in any way she can, using my squirrels only to get to me because she knows I love them.

So, if you want to look at it this way, yes, she wins, I'm leaving... Me, I prefer to look at it differently: in the end she has done me the biggest favor anyone could have :) I have found a beautiful, gorgeous place, with tons of trees (my own little forest), my own creek, peace and quiet... no airplanes (here I'm close to the airport) and best of all.... no neighbors in sight. Yes, there are some - I'm not isolated and in the boondocks, no - but the yard is so ultra-private that I don't see any of them and they don't see me. I'll be able to feed my squees, release them in my own yard ... watch them come and go in peace... all that without ANYONE interfering!!!! All in all, the country feel with all the conveniences of a suburb. The best of both worlds.

So... in the end....... THANK YOU witchy, stupid, selfish complaining neighbor :D Because of you I have found myself a little piece of paradise where I can finish my life in peace, surrounded by all the little creatures I love :wave123

:jump

[Scooterzmom]

Don't get me started on anti-squirrel neighbors :gun2

I have actually bought another house, am moving after 33 years being in the same place, 33 years of lovingly taking care and improving my little house and yard... BECAUSE my "witch" of a neighbor has declared ar on me and my squirrels (trying to remain polite I'm using a w in the word witch when in describing a erson like her the word really should be spelled differently... you get my drift). :devil The whole thing is, in fact it is nothing but a vengeance that she seeks, has nothing to do with the squirrels causing any harm to her property at all - a very long story short, city hall nailed her for non-compliance to a whole bunch of by-laws and she blames me for that. So, for the last 6 years now she's been waging war on me, harrassing me and my squirrels in any way she can, using my squirrels only to get to me because she knows I love them.

So, if you want to look at it this way, yes, she wins, I'm leaving... Me, I prefer to look at it differently: in the end she has done me the biggest favor anyone could have :) I have found a beautiful, gorgeous place, with tons of trees (my own little forest), my own creek, no airplanes (here I'm close to the airport) and best of all.... no neighbors in sight. Yes, there are some - I'm not isolated and in the boondocks, no - but the yard is so ultra-private that I don't see any of them and they don't see me. I'll be able to feed my squees, release them in my own yard ... watch them come and go in peace... all that without ANYONE interfering!!!! Country feel with the convenience of a suburb. Best of both worlds.

So, yes... thank you witchy, stupid, complaining neighbor :D because of you I am moving to paradise. :wave123

:jump

[Twi_prime]

Don't get me started on anti-squirrel neighbors :gun2

I have actually bought another house, am moving after 33 years being in the same place, 33 years of lovingly taking care and improving my little house and yard... BECAUSE my "witch" of a neighbor has declared ar on me and my squirrels (trying to remain polite I'm using a w in the word witch when in describing a erson like her the word really should be spelled differently... you get my drift). :devil The whole thing is, in fact it is nothing but a vengeance that she seeks, has nothing to do with the squirrels causing any harm to her property at all - a very long story short, city hall nailed her for non-compliance to a whole bunch of by-laws and she blames me for that. So, for the last 6 years now she's been waging war on me, harrassing me and my squirrels in any way she can, using my squirrels only to get to me because she knows I love them.

So, if you want to look at it this way, yes, she wins, I'm leaving... Me, I prefer to look at it differently: in the end she has done me the biggest favor anyone could have :) I have found a beautiful, gorgeous place, with tons of trees (my own little forest), my own creek, no airplanes (here I'm close to the airport) and best of all.... no neighbors in sight. Yes, there are some - I'm not isolated and in the boondocks, no - but the yard is so ultra-private that I don't see any of them and they don't see me. I'll be able to feed my squees, release them in my own yard ... watch them come and go in peace... all that without ANYONE interfering!!!! Country feel with the convenience of a suburb. Best of both worlds.

So, yes... thank you witchy, stupid, complaining neighbor :D because of you I am moving to paradise. :wave123

:jump

Haha! Congrats on your new place. I hope you have nothing but joy there. And in the words of Elvis Costello, I wish your neighbor "luck with a capital 'F'!"

[Moneypenny4M]

Haha! Congrats on your new place. I hope you have nothing but joy there. And in the words of Elvis Costello, I wish your neighbor "luck with a capital 'F'!"

Why would your neighbor blame you for things SHE is guilty of? Ach, can't win with neighbors!

This is my house, I grew up here (with much nicer neighbors at that time!) and not going anywhere. My mom and I fed squirrels here before this turd ever moved here. If anyone is going- HE is! I'M SURE he has violated some bylaws having nothing whatsoever to do with squirrels! Whereas everything I'm doing- is legal. So I'm continuing!

Could I get worse there? Probably. Could I get BETTER there? Also, probably!!!:crazy

[Scooterzmom]

Why would your neighbor blame you for things SHE is guilty of? Ach, can't win with neighbors!

This is my house, I grew up here (with much nicer neighbors at that time!) and not going anywhere. My mom and I fed squirrels here before this turd ever moved here. If anyone is going- HE is! I'M SURE he has violated some bylaws having nothing whatsoever to do with squirrels! Whereas everything I'm doing- is legal. So I'm continuing!

Could I get worse there? Probably. Could I get BETTER there? Also, probably!!!:crazy

Good luck with YOUR crappy neighbor.

The whole story ... Started with mine blaming me because she'd claimed she couldn't afford to pay her share of the fence when we built our pool and city demanded a 5' fence (although she too had a pool) but soon as the fence was built she found the money to build a deck... all the way TO the fence, even nailed it to the fence. Then, she placed her new patio set right against the fence, overlooking my yard, giving her full view of everything into my yard, taking away any privacy we had. Besides, her buddy the 2nd neighbor was there every single day, leaning over the fence to check everything that was going on at my place, I'd come face to face with him in the morning as I came out in my bathrobe :2gun

So, I politely asked that she at least place the patio set farther on her deck, she refused. Reminded her that her deck all the way to the fence was illegal, I told her I had not reported it because I didn't want to start a war and all I asked was she put the patio set farther, that then I wouldn't mind the deck being there. She still refused and then she'd laced the patio self-supporting umbrella against the fence (would leave it open even in wind storm) and it kept swinging into my cedars, braking them all up and I asked her again to move the set... she flatly refused cursing at me.

I told her she'd be forcing me to call city hall to solve the problem since her deck was illegal in the first place - for not respecting the set-back laws - and again she sent me to hell, told me to go ahead and call them. I warned her they would not be as lenient as I had been about all the other things illegal in her yeard, she said she didn't care...

So... I called city hall... and yes she did get nailed... and so it's all my fault, of course.

I had two choices: have her and her sons spying on everything I did in my yard from then on, having to whisper at dinner so as to keep our conversations pprivate... or call city hall.

As the saying goes... You piss in the air, don't be surprised in lands in your face - or, "don't throw stones if you live in a glass house". :jump

[Moneypenny4M]

That IS icky! I hardly EVER went (or go) in my back yard because whenever I did my neighbor would somehow materialize- and flash me.

Can't report it because it's a case of he said/she said. Of course now with this business going on I don't want to deal with hearing him say anything about the squirrels either. Avoiding is better!:nono

[Nat]

I am so heartbroken. I bought a townhouse that’s part of a property management in august.
I love feeding my squirrels. My daughter and I named them and in this lockdown, it’s been one of my few joys. Today the property management called and told me to stop feeding them. I’m guessing my next door neighbour complained. I’m just heartbroken. They come every day and wait for me to feed them. I don’t want to stop but don’t know what I can do. Any advise is welcomed .

[Mel1959]

You might reach out to the management company and ask for the documents that stipulate why you can’t feed wildlife, if you didn’t receive them at closing. Ask why the management company/HOA objects? Mess from shells? Drawing them in which might encourage damage?

See if there’s any compromise.

[Nat]

It’s damage that they’re concerned with.



You might reach out to the management company and ask for the documents that stipulate why you can’t feed wildlife, if you didn’t receive them at closing. Ask why the management company/HOA objects? Mess from shells? Drawing them in which might encourage damage?

See if there’s any compromise.

[Mel1959]

If there’s something written in the Bylaws then there may not be anything you can do. I’d go over that document with a fine tooth comb to see if there’s a loophole.

[island rehabber]

Nat, welcome to my world....and it's a sad and angry one when it comes to condo/co-op/HOA "boards". These are most often nasty control freaks who want to rigidly supervise every move that every other resident makes -- however they often cover up their own little special allowances very efficiently.

If your by-laws, as mine do, say you cannot feed wildlife or have wildlife in your units (yeah, that one was written JUST for me when someone tipped off the Eye of Sauron that I rehabbed squirrels), you are screwed. They will cite fear of property damage, rats (you'll never get past that one) and "disease". All you can do, my friend, is find out some sneaky way to keep helping your furry friends WITHOUT them knowing. Find a place across the street or behind the property. Wildlife learns fast -- they will find you. I also feed feral cats and do trapping/spay/neuter; they hate it on my condo board and so I go out at 9-10pm and hide between a fence and a tree. I've been doing this since 1999 :D

We do what we are called to do. But here's my shout-out to every animal lover/caregiver/rescuer on this planet:


DO NOT BUY A CONDO, CO-OP , or a HOUSE IN A HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION!

[Mel1959]

It’s damage that they’re concerned with.

Yeah, my HOA is voluntary, so they can’t legally enforce anything. They put out a little paragraph in a newsletter a few years ago asking for folks to NOT feed the squirrels because they were getting on peoples boats and chewing the motor wires, sails, etc. They’ve chewed my mainsail more than once and even had babies in the sail pack. :eek. I ignored their request and even have a large release cage in the backyard of my house. All the neighbors know I release and feed the squirrels and most everyone loves the fact that I do.

I feel bad for you guys that have to put up with the ridged rules of an HOA. I know it can be very upsetting and exhausting. :shakehead:shakehead

[Charley Chuckles]

Yeah, my HOA is voluntary, so they can’t legally enforce anything. They put out a little paragraph in a newsletter a few years ago asking for folks to NOT feed the squirrels because they were getting on peoples boats and chewing the motor wires, sails, etc. They’ve chewed my mainsail more than once and even had babies in the sail pack. :eek. I ignored their request and even have a large release cage in the backyard of my house. All the neighbors know I release and feed the squirrels and most everyone loves the fact that I do.

I feel bad for you guys that have to put up with the ridged rules of an HOA. I know it can be very upsetting and exhausting. :shakehead:shakehead
Babies in sail pack, wonder if they ever go boating with you 😁

[CritterMom]

If you argue or fight with them about it they may decide to do something much worse with some poison bait. That's just the way HOAs roll. The best thing is to go on the down low as soon as possible and pretend you are doing exactly what they asked you to do.

Do you have a window or door that is more secluded and that can't be seen as easily?

[Buddy]

That sucks to have rules/regulations and neighbors like that! :(

Yes, I'd definitely lay low as others mentioned, for further retaliations, poison baits, intentionally hurting squirrels etc.

I also think that feeding them in another safe area is a good alternative.

Best of luck!

[Mel1959]

Babies in sail pack, wonder if they ever go boating with you 😁

Before we take the sailboat out I unzip the sail pack and search through the sail for squirrels. I would be horrified if we went to hoist the mainsail and pinkies flew out into the water! :eek:boohoo

[Charley Chuckles]

Before we take the sailboat out I unzip the sail pack and search through the sail for squirrels. I would be horrified if we went to hoist the mainsail and pinkies flew out into the water! :eek:boohoo

Oh lord no, not good.
CC had a little boat he would go in my pool with me, he liked it, then again he liked being with me no mater where we were 🥰

Ok sorry I've been thread jacking :hidechair

[olorin19]

Well I guess I'll go against everyone's grain and say I would tell her 'politely' to stick her letter where the sun don't shine. :wahoo As far as I know it isn't illegal to feed the squirrels where I live and whether they get nuts from my yard or any other yard... it's what they do.

I feed pecans, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, all in the shell along with peanut in the shell and shelled. Yup they bury them all over my yard but I've never noticed any ripped up plants so I guess my squirrels are more careful :D

I've been living here for 26 years and have always been careful not to get too friendly with my neighbors for fear of having history repeat itself. Before moving here, I had a neighbor that I got friendly with and she literally thought my house was her house! She would pop in everyday, plunk herself at my kitchen table and stay there practically the whole day. This was at 7:00am! And at the time I was too polite/gullible/softy to do anything about it so when I moved I vowed to keep things to a "hello, nice day huh?" :wave123

I know someone who has raised and released squirrels and feeds both them as well as wilds. One of the neighbors resorted to putting out poison, killing a number of these squirrels. So i would suggest avoiding anything that might escalate the situation.