Varmints!

Like most gardeners, I have varmints in my garden. Many are benign or helpful; a few are not.

I have several squirrels that provide some wintertime amusement. Last year, when we had the heaviest acorn harvest in my lifetime, the number of squirrels (and small oak trees) was beyond belief. This year, the number is down quite a bit but the population is shifting as well. I have had both black and red squirrels in the garden along with the more mundane grey squirrels. The black squirrels appear to be smaller but more aggressive than the ever-present grey squirrels. For the most part, the squirrels are simply a nuisance. They use their guile to attack the birdfeeders from every possible angle -- and are thwarted by various barriers and the appropriate placement of the feeders. They also scavange the ground below the feeders along with the chipmunks and voles.

The most significant issue with the squirrels is that will attack bulbs, the emerging blossoms of tulips, peonies and almost anything else that looks mildly interesting. Sunflowers barely have a chance. As I said, in most years, the squirrels are simply a nuisance but in 2004 the issue was quite different. Last year's attack on the garden was overwhelming as the sheer numbers of squirrels required a substantial amount of food. So I wandered to the local hardware store to find out what might be done about the invasion -- and came away with some Havahart traps.

Now I could amuse you with the various efforts to set up these things, capture some squirrels and then figure out a strategy for transporting and releasing them -- but I won't. As it turns out, Massachusetts (and a minority of other states) have made the "live" trapping of such animals illegal. As the statute of limitations may not have expired, I won't go into the stories. But... I can attest that they are effective and that Massachusetts lawmakers spend their time on some curious issues.

To be precise about the state law, one can trap the animals but transporting to some other destination is illegal. You could trap and release in your own yard -- but taking them to a wildlife refuge or other forest would be illegal. Of course, trapping and releasing these varmints in your own yard is a curious startegy... unless you have several hundred acres of property.