If there's anything worse than a clever squirrel, it's a stupid squirrel. This I just don't get: why attack things that are poisonous? Is this the squirrel version of extreme sports? A squirrel death wish? Part of hazing to get into a squirrel fraternity? This poor Hellebore was attacked twice.
It is across the path from the two damaged Daffodils that were attacked on different days. I just don't get it.
20 comments:
But, but maybe it was the rabbits ... who seem to be even dumber characters than squirrels, although they've the added advantage of speed.
First rabbit wars, now squirrel wars! I am just learning about all the obstacles that gardeners must face. I am wondering about an empty space in one of my flowerbeds where I am sure I planted tulips. Could it be the squirrels?
Sounds like my dog!!
Rabbits, squirrels, deer,... they're all the same to me. Furry uninvited guests who seem to think they can take a drive by munch off your poor unsuspecting plants. Hairy theives and hooligans!
Oh no, not the hellebores! I thought they were unattractive to critters due to the leathery foliage, although the new young leaves are softer. And the daffs, what the heck, those are poisonous to all creatures, they are supposed to know that instinctively, arghhh!
Let the battles begin. The rotten squirrels and rabbits have dug, chewed and otherwise harrassed me for some time. Itis like a vicious circle. They take turns tormenting me. AAaarghhhh I just thank God that I don't have deer traipsing through the garden.
Oh how awful. My manx cats keep these critters out of our yard. Boy am I glad.
Deb
The good news for me is that "so far" I don't have squirrels in my garden, though I did find a walnut back in the vegetable garden and wondered how it got there. I don't think the rabbits left it there... OMG! I might have squirrels!!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
Kate - I haven't seen any evidence of rabbits, but they may be sneaking in when I'm not looking.
Rose - squirrels will attack tulips, but they usually just chomp off the flowers. If the whole plant is buzzed down, that's rabbits (or the dreaded groundhog).
Lets Plant - is your dog's name Marley, by any chance? Fortunately, the only stupid stuff my dogs ate was hardwood mulch & mushroom compost.
Cinj - yes, the scourage of the fur-bearing mammals! From what I've seen & people I've talked with around here, deer are, by far, the worst for causing the most damage. Rabbits are almost as bad, but the squirrels are generally just annoying.
Frances - the damage is confined to this Hellebore, so I decided not to protect it (kind of like having a magnet plant for Japanese Beetles so they'll leave everything else alone). The attacked plants are near the back of the garden, so I guess I can put up with the damage so long as it doesn't spread to the rest of the garden.
Lisa - I used to have just the 2 furry fiends, but this past winter the deer joined in the fun by chomping on my Yew. I hope the deer have found greener pastures closer to their homes now.
Aunt Debbi - cats would probably be the only thing to stop the squirrels. They consider dogs a source of humor.
Carol - if you want to find out for sure if you have squirrels, wait til fall & hang some Indian corn in a conspicuous place. If it's cleaned of all the corn, you've got them.
I thought I posted ... hmpf, I guess something happened. Oh well ... I wrote
"I will be at the Arb on the 25th picking up my plants and I'd love to meet up!"
I have the bleepin' things in my attic. I hate those rats with tails. ~~Dee
I could rent Tigger to you...he chased a squirrel again today. The silly thing had better move on, or my twelve year old cat is gonna have him for hors d'oerves.
They are truly evil. We usually have at least four or five nests in our maples with two or three sets of younguns each year.
I have a friend who likes to make squirrel stew. When I'm at my wit's end with the little yard monkeys, I fantasize about inviting him here for a little backyard sport. ;)
Critter destruction can be very frustrating. Hopefully they'll soon take up a different sport.
You are so right about the ornamental corn! 2 days-2 bouquets of corn gone. And!!! They eat Zick dough %#$>!+
I tend to think of squirrels as funny furry creatures, but maybe that's because we have none here, we do have rabbits though...but I've never eared of anyone having a rabbit attack in the garden. Oh well...think about it this way,if the hellebores and the daffodils are poisonous maybe it just dropped dead and wont nibble on your plants anymore ;-)
You're right, it's mere sport to them. They're practicing!!!
Rosemarie - sounds great! Should I pot up some Hellebore seedlings for you & bring them?
Dee - how annoying. Did they chew through your siding or pry open your attic fan?
Jodi - does Tigger travel well by air?
Garden Girl - while the idea of squirrel stew is theoretically appealing, I think I'd have to take a pass.
Chey - thanks for visiting! I'm sure when they tire of clipping off flowers they'll start their favorite activity - digging out the container plants.
Beckie - I don't even bother buying the decorative corn anymore. What is Zick dough?
Gintonio - I used to also think squirrels were funny & cute (they still are but...), before I moved to Squirrelhaven. I think my squirrels are so badly behaved by my neighbor feeds them peanuts.
Blackswamp Girl - thanks for resolving that mystery. Grrr!
Ooooh, I'd be so MAD! Especially about the hellebores. We've got several squirrels, but between the dog and the cats, the keep them on the perimeter.
I'm hoping to get a dog this year to keep those squirrels in line. Yesterday they attacked I 'Mt. Hood' Daffodil flower. Enough!
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