Grey Squirrels Cause Trouble in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
The City has spent more than $10,000 putting energy efficient LED lighting on the magnificent trees that grace its downtown. The effect is beautiful but they are having trouble keeping them lit.
Vandals are damaging the strings of lights faster than they can be repaired.
The mystery was solved when it was discovered that the vandals are Grey Squirrels. The squirrels have developed a taste for the cool burning, plastic bulbs. Anyone who has bird feeders will know how this story is most likely going to turn out.
First the city's downtown business association hired a contractor to replace the damaged bulbs but with multiple strings of lights on each tree it soon became too expensive to keep up with those pesky squirrels.
The end result is that the city has retreated. They are keeping the lights up and working around one spot where they also maintain an outdoor rink.
A decision will be made about the rest of the area when they can come up with a solution to the inexplicable tastiness to squirrels of LED light strings.
I'd be curious to hear if anyone has any thoughts on why the squirrels would chew on the wires and bulbs of a string of electric lights. Any ideas on how to outsmart them on this one?
As I said, anyone with a bird feeder has dealt with the resourcefulness of squirrels and might even qualify as an expert.
Labels: Fredericton, Grey Squirrels, Grey Squirrels in Fredericton, LED lighting, New Brunswick, resourcefulness of squirrels
posted by Steve Dobson at
18:43
6 Comments:
Presumably they could always go back to the incandescents they used before, which the squirrels weren't interested in. Sounds like it would save money and energy overall...
That is a smart idea.
The only trouble is it would mean someone would have to admit that the squirrels win.
Cheers,
Steve
Im a little late on this; last comment was in Feb. The squirrels probably weren't eating the bulbs, just like they're not eating my vegetables, just destroying the plants. My husband thinks it's a territorrial thing, who am I to put something in thier yard? I've tried repellant, chicken wire...the squirrels win.
Thanks for visiting Ruth.
Anyone with a bird-feeder or a garden will agree, the squirrels always win. Why they want to though, is another question.
Cheers,
Steve
I MAY have found a solution. Someone suggested bird netting, so about a week ago I covered the chicken wire w/ bird netting, & so far so good. I think that the squirrels paws get tangled in the netting (it clings to everything) & they don't like it. This might not look wonderful w/ flowers, but my vegetables havn't been trashed (yet!)
Ruth
That is a great idea.
Here is the thing though, I think a perfect solution would :
1)protect the crop
2)look good
3)befuddle the squirrels
4) make your neighbours gasp in admiration of your cleverness, -Well, maybe not so much the last one although it would be nice.
BTW-here is something to try with your cucumbers this year:
How to Make Cucumber Vines Bear Five Crops
When a Cucumber is taken from the vine, let it be cut with a knife leaving about an eighth of an inch of the Cucumber on the stem, then slit the stem with a knife from its end to the vine, leaving a small portion of the Cucumber on each division, and on each separate slit there will be a new Cucumber as large as the first.
From an old book I have. Let me know if it works for you.
Cheers,
Steve
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