Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 07:37:40 -0600 From: "george anderson" <georgea3@ix.netcom.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg790$foo@default> Subject: squirrels
yes, squirrels are big problem for many. no, if you trap them and/or
destroy them, others will come and take their place. so, whats the answer?
i offer a partial solution. MY METHOD: i trap them, mark them with spray
paint (for further observation), then dunk them (while in the trap) in the
pond. the attempt here is at condition avoidance therapy. i lower them
into the water with the cage at an elevation. then i carefully observe the
bubbles. after a very few bubbles, i raise the cage and observe the
behavior of the animal, if hostile/aggressive, more therapy is required.
REMEMBERING THAT THE AIM HERE IS NOT TO KILL THE ANIMAL (you need them to
keep the other, less educated, animals out). when docility is achieved, then
the animals are released. using this procedure, i have not lost a single
animal and have almost no plant loss. the squirrels steer a wide berth
avoiding both the trap (never caught one twice) and humans. aside from
that, their lives are quite normal and long. further, their behavior tends
to carry to their young (with some exceptions).
and clearly this adversive therapy is better than the slow anticoagulent
death from poison.
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