The Good, The Bad, and The Evil, Evil, Evil Squirrels

It is July and it’s too darn hot! We are quickly closing in on zucchini season. Before we get there however, we must manage the pests.

Remember how I had so many apricots forming on my fruit salad tree that I had to thin them out, lest the branches break?

Well, two days ago I had 4 nearly ripe apricots, and plenty of less ripe apricots. Yesterday, I had zero apricots. Not a single one. What I have are snapped branches on the apricot section of my fruit salad tree, and also a reduction in the number of ripening peaches and nectarines. This is a sure sign of marauding squirrels.

A look around the internet offered multiple options for squirrel abatement. Repellents containing peppermint oil, capsaicin (hot pepper), and garlic are mentioned by many. Visual detergents like streamers, model hawks or owls, and reflectors are also frequently advised. Physical barriers, like greasing the trees’ trunks or placing nets over the crowns of the trees can be tried. Every article I found had the same tag line, though. Whatever method you choose, be prepared to switch to another. Squirrels are wily and highly food-motivated. They will figure out a way around any barrier to reach a tasty goal. Hopefully, my neighborhood squirrels do not like plums (they seem to have left those alone). Hopefullyer, the neighborhood hawks and foxes will get to work. Everyone is someone else’s favorite snack.

We have had decent luck managing the cucumber beetle issue in the raised beds. If you recall, we have not grown anything in the squash/cucumber/melon family for two years due to a major cucumber beetle infestation in 2021. We previously tried sticky traps to foil the cucumber beetles, but found them woefully inadequate. Only this past winter did I learn that a scented lure is required to bring the beetles to the trap. This is a game changer. Observe…

My favorite thing about these traps is that the traps seem to only collect cucumber beetles, flies, and the very occasional stink bug. The helpful insects like lady bugs and mantises are not attracted. (For more on “the good bugs”, read here.)

This is not, as I have said many times, a political blog. If you are not interested in a political rant, feel free to navigate away from this page. I am glad you stopped by and I hope you learned a little about squirrel proofing and cucumber beetle control. Drop a comment about the most difficult pest you have encountered in your garden!

If you can tolerate a small rant, please keep reading.

I have been routinely buying supplies for the Food It Yourself chicken flock from Tractor Supply Company. I will no longer do so. Tractor Supply Company published this news release on June 27, 2024. All humans need food. For that reason, all humans need farmers, farms, and agricultural supplies. If you earn your pay supplying food producers, you need to support all humans. You need to protect the environment in which food is produced and food-consuming beings live. TSC has withdrawn their support for protecting the environment. TSC has chosen to withdraw their support of LGBT+ humans. They have chosen to withdraw their support of non-white humans. TSC has chosen to deny the existence of social inequality, the importance of diversity, and the absolute value of every human being. I have chosen not to give them a single additional penny of my money.

We vote with our wallets. Spend your pennies, nickels, and dollars on what you believe in your heart.