# It's been a bit since anyone has ranted about goddamned squirrels **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 18, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185 "2017-10-18T04:43:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/61 "2017-10-20T00:00:45Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > .40 cal muzzleloader? That won’t leave a pelt, much less any meat! Obliterate 'em all, let Ratatoskr sort 'em out. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/62 "2017-10-20T00:06:30Z")
Oh I suppose I should elaborate a bit on the hate. I am trying to get a shitty lawn I aquired along with my house to return to something resembling a flat field of grass. Fall is the best time to plant grass seed so I get some topsoil to even it out, and mix in some grass seed. But every morning it looks like some tiny scale WWII battlefield full of craters and foxholes from the damn little acorn fiends. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/63 "2017-10-20T00:54:53Z")
Yes. Among the many reasons I hate the little fiends, their tendency to plant oak trees all over my gardens and lawns is high on the list. They also eat anything that grows in my garden beds, like tomatoes or strawberries. I can feel myself turning into Bill Murray just thinking about them. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/64 "2017-10-20T01:13:07Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > .40 cal muzzleloader? That won’t leave a pelt, much less any meat! He’s comin’ right for us! ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/65 "2017-10-23T22:39:13Z")
For crying out loud! **IT FREAKING HAPPENED AGAIN!** **BLAM!** Power went out! This is now the 4th time this month! Power was out for several hours. Electric company restored power and this time they claimed they installed 2 devices that are supposed to prevent this from happening again. Now why on Earth wouldn’t those have already been on in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/66 "2017-10-23T22:53:27Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Now why on Earth wouldn’t those have already been on in the first place? Because you didn’t write a thread about it, apparently. Were any squirrels killed in the explosion? I do hope so!! ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/67 "2017-10-23T23:03:18Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Were any squirrels killed in the explosion? I do hope so!! Yes. Electric guy found him. Extra crispy! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/68 "2017-10-23T23:21:00Z")
I would say that you’d think the squirrels would learn to avoid those power lines, but, hey, they’re squirrels. What kind of device do they think will stop the furry rats from their mad love affair with electricity? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/69 "2017-10-23T23:50:06Z")
Obligatory: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/0FRD4uq1mVw/hqdefault.jpg "10 Germans trying to say the word "squirrel" | Super Funny | English Trying to say Eichhörnchen") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FRD4uq1mVw) ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/70 "2017-10-24T00:10:39Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Electric company restored power and this time they claimed they installed 2 devices that are supposed to prevent this from happening again. > > Now why on Earth wouldn’t those have already been on in the first place? Please post pics when these are installed. I want to see. Very much. TIA. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/71 "2017-10-24T00:19:20Z")
Had a raccoon causing an absolute ruckus in our attic from 5am-onward Saturday morning. Told my wife I would get him over the weekend. Saturday night, didn’t hear him. Sunday night, didn’t hear him. This morning, a buzzard is across the street, enjoying his raccoon breakfast. I like it when a problem resolves itself organically like that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/72 "2017-10-24T00:30:19Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Please post pics when these are installed. I want to see. Very much. TIA. The one is a red cap that fits flush into the transformer box thingy on top the pole. The other were two rubber type boots outside of that. Went near the fuse or something. He showed me them at his truck. Probably won’t be able to get pics of them installed. If I can I will. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/73 "2017-10-24T01:00:29Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > TIA. Transient ischemic attack to you too! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/74 "2017-10-24T01:08:09Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > > [@romansperson](#): > > > > TIA. > > Transient ischemic attack to you too! 😃 Let’s go to the quarry and throw stuff down there! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/75 "2017-10-24T01:17:57Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Transient ischemic attack to you too! 😃 As someone who is at high risk for that, I’ll demur, thanks! And **pkbites** , if you can manage a pic, that’d be great! The little bastids have chewed up all sorts of things around here. I’d like to see any chew-proof stuff available. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/76 "2017-10-24T01:53:24Z")
I’m pretty sure that the squirrel is more pissed off than you. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/77 "2017-10-24T13:36:11Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Now why on Earth wouldn’t those have already been on in the first place? Right? That’s what I was saying upthread. Sure, maybe not the first time. But, after that, it clearly attracts squirrels, so put something up there to stop them. Any clue what sort of device they may be using? I pictured something like a hard covering that would go around it to prevent them from being able to nibble there. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Terrific](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tom_terrific/32/342_2.png) [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/78 "2017-10-24T13:53:19Z")
On pontoon boats there is a metal transom that the motor is attached to. The muskrats love to get into the transom and eat the insulation off the exposed wiring. A friend of mine, boat mechanic, has a substantial amount of business doing nothing but replacing wiring harnesses and encasing them in a woven metal tube. It should work on any insulated wire. There is always a way but usually not at the price you want to pay. BTW I figured the water rat is close enough to the tree rat for this. ---
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/79 "2017-10-24T15:38:21Z")
I have a BB gun and two terriers, one who can “climb” trees…(I help up, then hang onto his tail, its mostly for fun, as he would climb then fall…really prey driven:D) but even so, its like chasing flying monkeys. Squirrels are very clever:mad: Two dead ones turned up this week, one really old and ratty, then another, young and healthy. Turns out we have an outbreak of distemper in Santa Barbara Co. Mixed blessing, as canines are susceptible. Back to hunting the rats, which I hate much much more…(evil night vampires, getting into animal cages grrr:mad:) Dont use poisons please…Raptors Are The Solution !!! aka RATS > **[RATS Home - Raptors Are the Solution](https://www.raptorsarethesolution.org/)** > > Raptors Are the Solution (RATS) educates the public about the dangers of rat and rodent poisons in the food web. We inform people about the ecological role of wild birds of prey, and work to eliminate toxic rodenticides to prevent further... ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185/80 "2017-10-24T16:43:28Z")
I’ve plinked a round dozen of them this year with my air rifle, and plan to continue, to see if maybe next year, just maybe, I can harvest one goddamn peach from our tree before they’ve stolen all of them, still green and hard, and left the half-chewed fruit to rot on the ground. We will see. I still have some in my yard so mission is not yet accomplished. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-been-a-bit-since-anyone-has-ranted-about-goddamned-squirrels/799185.md?page=5)