wildlife / arbor ?

[treeman82]

Hey guys, I could use some words of wisdom on this issue here. I went tonight to talk with a client about some work I had done earlier this spring. They were happy with that, but they want me to fix a problem they are having with squirrels in their maple tree. The tree is a sugar maple, maybe 32" DBH? Bout 60 - 70 feet in height with not much of a crown left. Lots of small? cavities where branches had died off. The client filled in most of the cavities with a styrafoam filler. However there is one cavity which is I guess about 35 feet off the ground or right about there which these squirrels have made a home in. The guy's wife wants me to get them out of there, and then fill in the cavity with the expanding foam. I don't have much of a problem with the foam filling part. However my issue is how the heck do I get the animals out of the tree? I really am not one for getting hands on with wild life. Domestic animals no problems.. but wildlife kind of makes me nervous. The husband and I are thinking of 2 possibilities right now for getting them out of there. 1) flood the suckers out with a hose or pressure washer. 2) firecrackers. Anybody ever done this kind of job before? Any words of wisdom? Like I said, I am not very fond of touching wildlife.

 

[ORclimber]

Does your University have a wildlife department you could ask about the squirrels life cycle? It seems like the gray squirrels around here are out of there nests by mid summer after the babies are big enough to move around. Might be easier to wait them out.

 

[NeTree]

I'm for ...
3) Wait until they've moved on.

 

[hillbilly]

Gray squirrels can get two sets of kids.
Either visit the university or simply do a google-search
and read up on the subject. You will know when the
nest is abandoned. Easier and cheaper (no cost
for buying explosives) for you and the customer.

 

[Stumper]

Hillbilly, If 82 has a Kaibab Squirrel in New York he better leave it alone.
Seriously, I don't know why running the squirrels off is important but if you do it consider that A. if you flood with water then you ought to wait before filling the cavity with foam (ought not do it at all in my opinion) so the sqirrels may have a chance to move back in. B. If you use fireworks you could potentially start a fire inside the tree (not likely but very possible). I would suggest C. Lower a small boombox into the cavity and play them some music. Be advised that if you play country & western they may start brewing maple sap beer. If you play rock and roll they may start gathering hallucinogenic mushrooms and just "hang out". If you play rap they may kill one another or(more likely) assault you. If you play big band they may become confused and think that they are on a geriatric cruise ship. I suggest Disco. When the squirrels come out dancing you can shoot them and claim that they acted rabid.

P.S. If you play classical they may never leave!

 

[kf_tree]

how much are you charging for the eviction and foam?????

 

[Ryan Willock]

For squirrel problems I'm a big fan of .22CB's if things must be quite or if that is not a SAFE option then #110 conibears are great!!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I knew a guy who could "bark" a squirill with 22 shorts. Hit the tree right under the critters head to cuncuss it. The pick it up and break it's neck. Then you could make squirril kibbabs for lunch.

One could get an insect smoker and flood the cavity with smoke.

I too would wait for the kits to start running around. For bigger cavities, I might add a cover of expanded metal tgyo keep them from knawing the foam out. I've seen it.

We got these big plastic trash carts that weere designed to keep rats out. No one tested them on tree rats though, seems they dont mind the taset of the plastic, unlike Ratus ratus.

 

[treeman82]

Stumper, I like your idea about the music. I am going to see if I can find something the right size for the job. Ken, I have NO clue what to charge for this. You got any ideas??? I was kind of thinking hourly, and then any materials or what have you. Ryan, in Westchester you are not allowed to discharge firearms. The next county up you can use a shotgun. Next county up after that is still shotguns I think. After that is rifles. Seeing as how the client is a cop, and how the property isn't all that big... I don't think a .22 would work too well

It's funny you guys should mention squirrel kibabs though. My father has a heart problem.. I will have it some time down the line as well. Well when he first had the problem, his cardiologist gave him a list of foods which he could and couldn't eat. One of the things he CAN eat, but never has is squirrel.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

But is it kosher?

 

[treeman82]

ROTFLMFAO!!!!! I dunno John, I will have to consult with my rabbi on that. I would guess it is???

 

[hillbilly]

Hmmm, seems we have different viewpoints on squirrels.
The Squirrel in the picture, no clue what the american name
for it is, is the species we got over here. They are pretty rare
though, I see about 1 per month. I get the impression that
squirrels in the u.s. are better compared to rats over here.
Correct?

 

[Ryan Willock]

Yep, bushy tailed rats!!! Matt take a #110 conibear trap and secure it on one of the main limbs the animals use for a "trail". The conbear type traps kill INSTANTLY and humanely. very easy to set and use!!!

 

[treeman82]

Hillbilly, squirrels over here, by me at least are a dime a hundred. The reason the woman wants the squirrels gone from the tree now is because they apparently drop stuff on their lawn, plus also she is worried about them making their way into her house. Apparently her sister had a BIG squirrel infestation problem which wound up costing her several thousands of dollars to fix. I think I am going to check into this boom box idea.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

They chew through soffet boards and nest up in attacks durring the winter. I've watched them run around from tree to roof to tree on occations. It can get really bad when they cet out of the attic into the living spaces.

Flying squirrills are neat, especialy when you cut thier tree down and it's like the evacuation of a highrise condo. One homeowner had a feeder set up so he could watch them glide down to it, then back over the the trunk to do it all over again.

Even worse is when a 'coon gets into the attic. People put mathballs in and the critters are smart enough to carry them out.

Antoher pest showing up are woodpeckers on cedar capboard siding. Pay $7-9/bft for #1 clear, and have some bird knock holes in and people get mad. Cant do anything because they are migratory birds. Plastic owls don't phase them.

 

[treeman82]

John, I checked with my VERY religious friend tonight when we went out for dinner. Apparently squirrels are not kosher.

 

[DDM]

Ummm Lets see you forgot the third option. Option 3 Fill the Hole with the Squirrels in the tree in the I doubt the furry little monsters could deal well with that sticky foam.

 

[treeman82]

Dave, I'm suprised that you are taking that view point. I mean seeing as how you were the one who took in those what? 5 baby squirrels.

 

[Bob Wulkowicz]

Use number 1 with a twist. Have the owners stand on the ground with a garden hose shooting water up into the tree to fill the cavity.

Wait, as indicated, then repeat.

The squirrels will get uncomfortable or waterlogged; or the owners will quickly tire of this if it goes on too long and turn their attentions elsewhere.

In either case, you're somewhat better off.

When the owners have called to say the squirrels have left, tell them to guard the hole with the hose, and you'll be right over. You may have some experience is rushing out to get to a hole in your youth, but be careful, don't speed, it's not the same thing.

If the squirrels are indeed gone--you'll know, they're curious, so if they're still there they'll peek out to see if the fools are still out there on the ground.

You can then climb the tree, fill the hole with expanding foam and cover the hole with a piece of tin nailed in place. That is unless you like this game and the owners, the squirrels, and you, plan on meeting together for a while.



If this fails, bring the tree up to about 325 F, and allow the cavity to simmer for 2 days. The squirrels will either have left, or you can climb the tree to ladle out squirrel soup for the owner's BBQ party on the weekend.

Great stories, lotsa beer, and videos of you climbing down, trying not to spill the ladle. Hell, that's a party JPS would take a bus to get to...



Bob Wulkowicz

 

[BrianCooke]

Use an airgun, here are some of mine....
http://groups.msn.com/BriansAirguns/shoebox.msnw?albumlist=1

Safe, quiet & accurate as heck!!

I've been to a couple of friend's houses who live downtown and the airgun is a fine choice for pest removal. Just wish I had more friends who needed some extermination.

Brian