Squirrel Wars, Part 797

Eastern gray squirrels, rabbits, deer, mice, and rats share one thing in common in my little world.  I refuse to lose the war against them.   I may lose a battle here and there as the little rascals find new ways to infiltrate my life in a myriad of unwelcome ways, but in the end, I will not let them win. There is no doubt that this is indeed a war, one which requires engaging in frequent battles, keeping munitions well stocked, and investing in new strategies on a regular basis.

On Whidbey Island in the Pacific Northwest, the Eastern Gray Squirrels have not yet located our property and I will be enormously pleased if they never do so.   On the other side of the country, in Clearwater, Florida where our other house lies, I am not quite as fortunate.  In Clearwater, there are more squirrels than people in densely populated Pinellas County.  Last year, these little rats with fur decided to claim the attic as their own turf.  This year, with every possible entrance to the house made impenetrable, they merely entertain themselves with a never-ending fascination with the bird feeders. My husband tells me that I can solve the problem by discontinuing my habit of feeding birds.   Both admitting defeat and refraining from feeding birds are not on the options list, so onward to Plan B.    

I believe I've tried every possible squirrel proof design of bird feeder on the market, to no avail.  These part gecko, part rat, part cute rascals find a way through, around, over, or <pick your preposition> into any bird feeder stocked with seed.   Onward to Plan C.

The latest strategy is to stock the feeders with safflower seed and spread ordinary (and inexpensive) seed on the ground underneath the feeder.   For some odd reason, the squirrels won't touch the safflower seed, but instead, entertain themselves along with a flock of turtle doves, fetching seed from the ground. Meanwhile, in other news, the songbirds have some peace and quiet at the feeder, indulging in this alternative seed with little loss of interest compared to conventional seed.   This new strategy also has the added benefit that it supplies endless entertainment via "Squirrel TV" for the puppy in the household. The only drawback of the latest and greatest strategy in Squirrel Wars is that safflower seed is becoming a line item on the household budget.   What a small price to pay for making a great stride forward in this very important war!