Squirrels

[BlakBeard]

Looking for advice.

Having an issue with squirrels chewing through my custom cover on the little boat(sunbrella material). Covered the first hole with gorilla tape as a temp fix. They tried gnawing through the tape and when that didn't work they simply moved over a few inches.

Does anyone know of a repellant that would be safe on the canvas cover? I've seen some products for garden use but can't find info on whether they would be okay to use on a boat cover. Would prefer to not waste money or ruin the cover further and I don't want to get it patched if they're just going to make more holes.

I appreciate any and all input. Thanks in advance.

 

[GypsmJim]

My first thought is where is the boat stored? In the water? OMG, the marina needs to figure out a fix. At home? Put it in the garage, or rent a storage shed.

Last resort...go to your barber and get hair clippings. They should welcome giving it away instead of paying FOR disposal. Make up a bunch of "bags" of hair in ladies stockings and hang them on the boat.

 

[JeffM]

When squirrels caused $900 worth of damage to the wiring in my truck, I put mothballs under the hood. No problems since. The smell is noticeable on some days but not too bad. Not sure how they would work on the boat, though — hang behind the canvas, perhaps?

 

[techmitch]

How are they getting on the boat. Moth balls & or cayenne pepper on the ground under or a least around the boat will keep most critters away. They really like wires and fuel lines on cars/trucks. Rubber or even plastic fuel lines are like a delicacy to them.

 

[techmitch]

When squirrels caused $900 worth of damage to the wiring in my truck, I put mothballs under the hood. No problems since. The smell is noticeable on some days but not too bad. Not sure how they would work on the boat, though — hang behind the canvas, perhaps?

How are they getting on the boat. Moth balls & or cayenne pepper on the ground under or a least around the boat will keep most critters away. They really like wires and fuel lines on cars/trucks. Rubber or even plastic fuel lines are like a delicacy to them.

You beat me to it. #slacking typist.

 

[mrsrobinson]

They like to chew on the TV cable line where it connects to the pole outside as well.

 

[wyrman]

I have a 22 caliber pellet gun with a scope that has eliminated our squirrel issues.
We have a bunch of them here, but they seem to stay at the neighbors now.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Two big hawks have showed up in our neighborhood recently, that seems to be helping as well.

 

[Creekwood]

Rubber snakes or owl or hawk decoys?

 

[Shenanigans77]

Have my wife move in next door and problem solved. They will hang out with her all day. Pretty sure the one on the deck thinks he lives here

 

[JayhawkCurtis]

I hate squirrles

 

[electricaldoctor]

"F'rkn Tree Rats"

 

[sbw1]

I shoot them with a pellet gun. We have lots of raptors in this part of Michigan and the hawks, owls and eagle haul them away usually within a day or two

 

[BlakBeard]

Thank you all for the advice! Didn't realize those little ba$tards were so notorious for wreaking havoc.

I should have specified. The boat is on land behind the garage and there are trees around. I wish I could put it in the garage but it won't fit. I will give the moth balls a try and look into an owl/hawk decoy. I really like the pellet gun idea. I could use a new toy.

 

[Shenanigans77]

I hate squirrles

“You talkin to me!?”

 

[wyrman]

Thank you all for the advice! Didn't realize those little ba$tards were so notorious for wreaking havoc.

I should have specified. The boat is on land behind the garage and there are trees around. I wish I could put it in the garage but it won't fit. I will give the moth balls a try and look into an owl/hawk decoy. I really like the pellet gun idea. I could use a new toy.

Here's the one I recently bought. It works really good. I had a Benjamin .177 for many years, it finally bit the dust, so I decided to get a .22 caliber.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PH9MM9C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[spikedaddy99]

I had a red squirrel get in our garage, chew thru a propane line in our 5th wheel (emptying a 30lb tank inside) , and numerous water lines which I found in the spring when I hooked up city water. It looked like a sprinkling water feature that year. 12 gauge keeps them away now

 

[Shenanigans77]

I had a red squirrel get in our garage, chew thru a propane line in our 5th wheel (emptying a 30lb tank inside) , and numerous water lines which I found in the spring when I hooked up city water. It looked like a sprinkling water feature that year. 12 gauge keeps them away now

Red squirrels are the worst. If they want in, they are getting in. Not much bigger than a chipmunk but chew everything. Fox squirrels are pretty content on staying outside

 

[my3sons]

Try the pest control aisle at Tractor Supply. Sometimes these botanical concoctions actually work. I have no experience with this stuff, but I swear by Fresh Cab as a rodent deterent.

 

[Shenanigans77]

“I’d like to talk to you about your cars extended warranty!!”