Squirrels - To Feed Or Not To Feed?

Tricia · #1 (**permalink**) 22-07-2008, 07:47 PM

We have squirrels. Not me personally of course but, here, near where I live. In fact, every evening around 6.15 one regularly scales the wall just over my kitchen window and skips off down the balcony - probably on his/her way home - the evening squirrel commute.

That's okay, in fact, it's quite nice. The squirrel leaves me alone and I leave him alone - we both just go about our business but ...

I have neighbours and they feed the squirrels, one even leaves his window open and lures them into his front room - he says he is an animal lover - I say he is doing them no favours - isn't that what a squirrels life is about? foraging for food and having a healthy wariness of humans - not sitting in someone's front room munching on peanuts and becoming about as tame as a puppy.

But who is right? Dr Doolittle downstairs and his band of fat, lazy squirrels or me, up here minding my own business and letting the wildlife fend for itself?

Kayleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 22-07-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricia

We have squirrels. Not me personally of course but, here, near where I live. In fact, every evening around 6.15 one regularly scales the wall just over my kitchen window and skips off down the balcony - probably on his/her way home - the evening squirrel commute.

That's okay, in fact, it's quite nice. The squirrel leaves me alone and I leave him alone - we both just go about our business but ...

I have neighbours and they feed the squirrels, one even leaves his window open and lures them into his front room - he says he is an animal lover - I say he is doing them no favours - isn't that what a squirrels life is about? foraging for food and having a healthy wariness of humans - not sitting in someone's front room munching on peanuts and becoming about as tame as a puppy.

But who is right? Dr Doolittle downstairs and his band of fat, lazy squirrels or me, up here minding my own business and letting the wildlife fend for itself?

I agree with you leave them B..

djackso · #3 (**permalink**) 22-07-2008, 07:57 PM

I'm not a fan of grey squirrels, I think that they are too tame and there are too many of them. So I say don't encourage them. But I think I'm a bit "speciesist" - if it was a native Red Squirrel, I'd be jumping through hoops to get it to feed in my living room

Tricia · #4 (**permalink**) 22-07-2008, 08:18 PM

Alas not Red Squirrels - these are big, fat, grey London squirrels

ron1863 · #5 (**permalink**) 22-07-2008, 08:18 PM

I leave food out but don't encourage anything, if they take it then good luck to them.
Welcome to WAB Tricia

Kymba · #6 (**permalink**) 22-07-2008, 10:51 PM

I have always fed the Grey squirrel because i adore them.

After all as I have said in other posts It isnt their fault they are here they didnt have a choice. It is our fault...

Rob Jones · #7 (**permalink**) 22-07-2008, 11:39 PM

Hi Tricia!

Sorry, I've always regarded Greys as a particularly damaging rodent. It is rarely culled and the damaging effects are often ignored. Cute they maybe but they're real menace to the woodland bird population. Like Foxes, they are becoming common in urban areas.
Definately (in my humble opinion) not to be encouraged!

Kayleigh · #8 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

I agree with you leave them B..

I like squirrels, I don't get any here so I don't feed them but they would be welcome to a few nuts.
I don't agree with this bloke encouraging them into his living room though.

forfi · #9 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 09:50 AM

Elvis was very fond of squirrels.Or so I have heard.

Mr Mag00 · #10 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 10:35 AM

forfi · #11 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 12:53 PM

Yep,and possums,that man would eat anything,prolly what killed him in the end.A surfeit of Nutkins.

forfi · #12 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 03:03 PM

Those grays are really just tree rats and not only do they out compete the natives but they also carry a virus which knocks the reds for 6. In Ireland the reds are now found mostly in Connemara having been wiped out in most other areas.I only know of one small colony in Wexford and one that I was aware of in Dublin seems to have disappeared.Many years ago my dogs and I were pelted with acorns in a park in Dublin. A pair of very agitated reds took umbrage at our presence in the territory,one of lifes little pleasures

Tricia · #13 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 06:44 PM

I shall continue my policy of not feeding or encouraging the squirrels. I downloaded (or is it uploaded?) a photograph I took of the squirrel hanging from the side of the building - you can see that these are well-fed squirrels. I thought the picture would come up by my name as an avatur but it doesn't seem to have happened. It is on my page though.

Kayleigh · #14 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricia

I shall continue my policy of not feeding or encouraging the squirrels. I downloaded (or is it uploaded?) a photograph I took of the squirrel hanging from the side of the building - you can see that these are well-fed squirrels. I thought the picture would come up by my name as an avatur but it doesn't seem to have happened. It is on my page though.

Hi Tricia, Go into "your posts" at the top, in the panel on left go into "edit avatar" you can change or add an avatar from there. Hope this helps.

Tricia · #15 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 06:53 PM

Thank you Kayleigh

Kayleigh · #16 (**permalink**) 23-07-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricia

Thank you Kayleigh

Glad to help.

village wench · #17 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 11:47 AM

I have a confession to make,I am about to put up a feeder in some Scots pines outside my front door,peanuts for the birds

as we have a wounded squirrel living in the area and he has only three and a half legs

he may like to help himself

JW · #18 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 02:40 PM

I feed the squirrels in my garden. I've found that by feeding them using a bought squirrel feeder that they leave my bird feeding station alone. The bird feeders are located about three metres away from my squirrel feeder and so far they've left the bird feeders alone.

Would I encourage one into my house, heck no! There's the potential that they could get spooked and lighten the load over my furniture! Seriously though I think that all animals should be afraid of man and that taming them will only cause problems.

Tricia · #19 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by village wench

I have a confession to make,I am about to put up a feeder in some Scots pines outside my front door,peanuts for the birds

as we have a wounded squirrel living in the area and he has only three and a half legs

he may like to help himself

Well, I guess if he only has three and a half legs, you can be forgiven for taking pity on him VW - but - promise you won't invite him in - he'll just end up laying around on the sofa all day expecting you to feed him

Tricia · #20 (**permalink**) 25-07-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JW

I feed the squirrels in my garden. I've found that by feeding them using a bought squirrel feeder that they leave my bird feeding station alone. The bird feeders are located about three metres away from my squirrel feeder and so far they've left the bird feeders alone.

Would I encourage one into my house, heck no! There's the potential that they could get spooked and lighten the load over my furniture! Seriously though I think that all animals should be afraid of man and that taming them will only cause problems.

Welcome JW from another new member. I hope you are enjoying the site as much as I am.

I guess if they aren't interferring with the birds in your garden then it will do no harm.

I absolutely agree with you - we should never treat animals like domestic pets (unless they are domestic pets of course!). Would you believe this guy has spent the past week erecting a little slide thingy from his windowsill to the nearby tree to make it easier for the squirrels pop in!

village wench · #21 (**permalink**) 26-07-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tricia

Well, I guess if he only has three and a half legs, you can be forgiven for taking pity on him VW - but - promise you won't invite him in - he'll just end up laying around on the sofa all day expecting you to feed him

I have enough keeping the dog and cat off the sofa,last thing I need is wildlife invading too.

JW · #22 (**permalink**) 26-07-2008, 10:20 AM

Thanks Tricia this is an amazing place!

I reckon you're neighbour has FAR too much time on his hands. The squirrels are bright enough to break in without any help.

Tricia · #23 (**permalink**) 26-07-2008, 10:06 PM

You are right JW - he is one very bored man I think!

Ukwildlifeo · #24 (**permalink**) 26-07-2008, 10:35 PM

Tame grey squirrels are cute until you sit down to enjoy your lunch in regents park and you get a horrible feeling and look to your left. And there sitting practically on your shoulder is an eveil grey beast waiting to steal your lunch. And for any man thats is reason enough for a cull....maybe

deer boy · #25 (**permalink**) 26-07-2008, 11:44 PM

How old is your neighbour Tricia?