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Squirrels are notoriously crafty at stealing nuts and seeds put out for birds. The feeders have become increasingly sophisticated (and expensive). I want to get a small piezo device that would operate with a pull (some design with pulleys and levers) and fit it between the top of the feeder and whatever
it is hanging from. There would be wires from the device to the metal mesh holding the nuts in. It would have to be calibrated for weights but the idea is that if a bird clasps the mesh it is fine but if a squirrel gets on the extra weight pulls the device and gives the squirrel the kind of shock it won't want again.
Shocking Squirrels
http://www.realesta.../20000103-holt.html
[Amos Kito, Nov 12 2008]
better red than dead
http://www.mailonsu...rs-BBC-viewers.html
[po, Nov 12 2008]
Prevent an explosion by zapping animals:
http://www.rauckman...m/homezapshield.htm
Passive shock rings which mount on high-voltage insulators, to discourage animals from touching power lines. [Amos Kito, Nov 12 2008]
Photographing Squirrels
http://photographingsquirrels.com/
[Ian Tindale, Nov 12 2008]
Wild Bill's Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
http://www.shop-nc..../order1.asp?ID=1178
Yes, it's electric. [Amos Kito, Nov 12 2008]
[link]
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Could potentially be used by particularly particular mad old spinsters (or whatever) to ensure that only the smaller birds are fed on her watch. |
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These things did exist. They were activated by animal weight or height. They're getting tough to find. Being outside in the elements, they short out [see Link]. But it's not considered "animal friendly" to shock the poor critters. |
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Bill Oddie famously (accidentally) electrocuted a squirrel on the last autumn watch - almost as big a debate as the Brand/Ross Debacle! |
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Not good if you put out fish treats and it zaps a pelican in your back yard. |
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po, - yes, but it wasn't exactly Bill Oddie's fault that the squirrel he'd just hit out of an overhanging tree using a carefully aimed slingshot fell directly onto the third rail of the London to Manchester inter-city railway line. That sort of bad luck just could've happened to anyone, really. |
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One life form's bad luck is another life form's hilarious entertainment .... |
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//These things did exist// |
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PLEASE try to remember anything you can about them. I WANT ONE! |
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Sorry it took em so long to find a [Link] (to Wild Bill-s Feeders). I usually can find Internet references much faster. If you're ordering these things, buy me some, too. |
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Anyway, while researching ways to keep squirrels out of feeders, I discovered that a vast majority of squirrels die of starvation each summer. That's how nature controls the population. Since keeping them away will kill them, somehow my priorities have changed. I have a pole feeder (metal baffle, works well) for the birds, but still throw seeds to the poor starving fuzz rats. Bless their little hearts. |
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Wild Bill's are OK but previous links have shown them to be temperamental, especially in the wet. They also cannot be retro fitted and need a 9v battery. |
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The only squirrels I am interested in zapping are the greys in UK. The are not native and have pushed out the native, and much prettier, red squirrels. |
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watch out grey squirrels, the black ones are here |
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//Bill Oddie famously (accidentally) electrocuted a squirrel on the last autumn watch //
YouTube URL?
I'm imagining a thing like a giant Insectocutor, the sort of thing that sprays supermarket fish and butchery counters with fried bug guts. |
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Fride bug guts, mmmmmmmm .... |
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