953 nut 56,741 #1 Posted January 21 Originally a creation by Christy Hargrove, Squirrel Appreciation Day on January 21 is a day to learn about and celebrate the world’s cutest rodents. Here’s the thing about squirrels: some people hate them and say that they’re “invasive species.” But can those people leap across a space ten times the length of their body? Didn’t think so. Christy created this day to encourage kind attitudes towards our bushy-tailed neighbors by setting out food and water for squirrels, and even allowing them to play with that bird-feeder you normally don’t want them touching. We might generally look at squirrels as being an unnecessary nuisance, but their existence is actually beneficial to the environment, and in urban areas, assists in park beautification. Albeit by accident, squirrels plant seeds (initially meaning to store away nuts to come back to when they’re hungry) which eventually grow into trees, thus assisting with forest renewal. They’re natures gardeners. Rocket J. 'Rocky' Squirrel, the plucky flying squirrel, is introduced to The Bullwinkle Show and lasts five years as the best friend and ally of the Western moose, Bullwinkle. 3 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,737 #2 Posted January 21 Nice! A tad more humane than the oh-so-funny to watch YT squirrel launching videos.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wayne0 707 #3 Posted January 21 I really enjoy my squirrels -------------- In the pot. 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 28,189 #4 Posted January 21 I still refer to them as "tree rats" 4 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 26,589 #5 Posted January 21 Two words: 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 69,710 #6 Posted January 21 Squirrel sightings in my acreage have been known to generate the words: Target acquired captain! They're adorable. No doubt about it. But the fact is, there's way too many in the area. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,479 #7 Posted January 21 The tree rats take every hickory nut, walnut, and acorn from my property and still think they need to gobble up all the bird feed. It is becoming way too expensive to feed the birds during the winter. The road out front helps to keep the population in check but that still ain't enough. Perhaps I should keep a pile of bird seed in the middle of the road. 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,737 #8 Posted January 21 20 minutes ago, lynnmor said: The tree rats take every hickory nut, walnut, and acorn from my property and still think they need to gobble up all the bird feed. It is becoming way too expensive to feed the birds during the winter. The road out front helps to keep the population in check but that still ain't enough. Perhaps I should keep a pile of bird seed in the middle of the road. "Cleanup in Aisle Five" !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 13,084 #9 Posted January 21 My son’s family delight in the family of hawks that have settled on their property. They are efficient at keeping the squirrels and rabbits in check. The occasional “cleanup” doesn’t bother them. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beap52 1,027 #10 Posted January 22 Squirrels can certainly be a nuisance. I have had to replace/patch aluminum soffit on homes that squirrels have chewed holes in. They chewed a hole in a ridge shingle and once in the attic I had to set live trap to catch them. Under a hip shingle of my new roof, a squirrel hid a pecan. He pried the hip shingle up and deposited the pecan. They chewed rubber propane hose on my neighbor's camper. They also take a bite or two from my tomatoes and leave the rest for me. I have relocated 5 squirrels this past summer which aren't quite as many as moles. In the nearby town of Bolivar, black squirrels are quite thick. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
