Worried-grey squirrels missing

[fuzzyhixson]

I usually have about 10 grey squirrels that come to eat in the mornings. I have feeders for all of them to come eat at the same time. They have always come for about a year now. The last two mornings I only have had 1 squirrel come, not the usual flood of 10. I have noticed bot fly bumps on a few of them. Could they be killing them? How easy would it be for a neighbor to have poisoned them and how likely is it that they were able to poison about 10 in one day? Could the heat be keeping them away? Surely they need to come get water. Thanks in advance!

[SammysMom]

Hi there, I know that the heat is definitely affecting my outdoor guys. Give it a few days and keep an eye out in the evenings too. Mine seem to appear at odd times like extremely early and/or late. I sure hope they come back! They may have found that there is a lot more natural snacks too.
Make sure there is water for the too if it is very hot there. Mine like theirs "on the rocks"...a few cubes in each bowl!:thumbsup

[stepnstone]

I agree with SammysMom, my outdoors buddies are also out of routine and coming around at unusural times. This heat has been rough on everything!
Ice cubes in their water is a real plus for them! :thumbsup

[Lady G]

I have always noticed the same, heat and humidity and the Eating Machines are gone. Is the food level still the same ???

[Baxied]

Hi fuzzyhixson, I am also located in the southeast and have noticed my regulars not being so regular lately. I think it has to do with the heat and the season. Give it a few days and I bet they will be back.

[JakesLittlePrincess]

I sometimes don't see my regulars for three or more days. I have an extremely large female named Tank, I guess it is too hot out for her to drag her large self out of her nest down to my patio. I have noticed that when I get up earlier (like around 5:00 am) she is out there looking for her snack. I thought all of my "babies" were eaten by predators but the other day when the temperature only got up to 80 I had the usual wagon train of squirrels stopping by. So weather & predators can play a big roll in the regulars not being so regular.

[fuzzyhixson]

Thank ya'll so much for the feedback. I am relieved to hear it is not just my squirrels. It has been super hot here and they have been coming less and less. The last 2 mornings though have been very unusual with only 1 at a time rather than the usual 10 to 12. I have bowls out for each of them to sit on the deck with their own bowl and eat their breakfast. Yes I have lots of different water bowls on the deck and in the yard and bird baths too. Hopefully it is just the heat and they are keeping cool somewhere up in their trees. I also am not seeing them on their favorite tree branches. Well I will see how it is in the morning and keep watching for them. Guess that's all I can do. Thanks again everyone. You have eased my mind. :) Laurie

[fuzzyhixson]

Just thought I would update ya'll. Today all the squirrels were back to normal and more active then usual. I think there is a female in heat, lots of chasing going on with several squirrels at a time. I guess they needed da couple days rest in their nests? :) Laurie

[Baxied]

Glad to hear your squirrels are back to normal! It can be stressful when you don't see them for a few days. I have a female that I released that I haven't seen for a week. I am hoping that she is back soon. She is adding to my gray hairs! Lol!