Thu, 2011/06/23 - 9:40pm
Hi All,
OK, in our attempt to save the tomatoes we set up some havaheart traps to catch the squirrels that have been eating all the ripening tomatoes. Well, the one trap caught an opossum. I found it tonight, no movement at all even after turning the cage on its side. Shoot, not what I wanted to do. Called my roomie to come down and dispose of the body. Well, on her way into the woods with the trap the opossum opened one eye to look at her - wish I had been there to see her freak out! It was playing possum! Waddled away just fine. Calling professionals to trap the sq's tomorrow - they ate three more tomatoes today after laughing at the stupid 'possum...
Beth
Sun, 2011/06/26 - 1:37pm
#2
Squirrel #1 caught and relocated! Talked to a trapper and he gave us some tps on catching sq's. Said to relocate them at least 10 miles away - he's had squirrels retun from 4 miles away! He wanted $400! He said for us to try first..
Beth
Sun, 2011/06/26 - 1:53pm
#3
Congrats, Beth! I bet that's quite an adventure, trapping and transporting a squirrel! 
With the havaheart traps? What do you do then, put the occupied trap into a cat carrier for transport?
Sun, 2011/06/26 - 8:19pm
#4
Hi Gisette,
Threw a towel over the trap and put it in back of the truck. Sq didn't really seem to care! Let loose in a local park (well southern Maryland local) 10 miles away. Two traps set tonight - we'll see. Trapper said to buy critter ridder as a deterrent. That is now sprayed and spread in the garden and patio EB's. Always fun in critter central. Here's a pix of the deer herd in the backyard - foggy from humidity.
Sun, 2011/06/26 - 8:33pm
#5
No deer pic?
Poor squirrel. Oh, well, I'm sure he'll be happy in the park.
I'll have to keep the critter ridder in mind if the squirrels go after my ground cherries. I'm kind of amazed the blueberries are surviving. Birds like to sit and gossip on the tomato cages nearby, but so far, leave the blueberries alone.
Sun, 2011/06/26 - 8:59pm
#6
Photobucket not cooperating tonite, deer photo and blueberry plant links below.
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq355/beth11_album/101_0129.jpg
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq355/beth11_album/101_0146.jpg
Mon, 2011/06/27 - 10:58am
#7
Beautiful, Beth!
Mon, 2011/06/27 - 1:16pm
#8
Squirrel #2 caught and relocated!
Mon, 2011/06/27 - 7:57pm
#9
Squirrel #3 is now calling a new place home - cherry tomatoes are ripening on the vine for the first time in 5 years. Still have one or two bold sq's to relocate. But this is a vast improvement! Do have sq's that live in the way back - not really worried about them this year.
Beth
Mon, 2011/06/27 - 8:27pm
#10
Wow, Beth! To what do you attribute the suddenly increased effectiveness of the havaheart traps? More cherry tomatoes ripening? 
Congratulations on getting to keep some!
Oh, wow, Beth! That's so funny! I'm so glad the opossum made it!
Edit: We'd just finished watching a Hayao Miyazaki movie - Castle in the Sky - when I read your post. Perfect match!
I've heard around here autopsies show possums often have like a dozen healed fractures. Keep getting hit by cars, but it just slows them down a bit further, and they heal... I love possums.
I think it may be bad luck for me to focus on this squirrel problem of yours. I saw one lurking about my 3rd floor balcony yesterday.
Nothing is squirrel-proof...