When last we left our heroine, she was headed to the BB-gun store (yes, Virginia, there is a BB-gun store) with M to get some ammo. We actually tried a couple of other places first -- the local sporting goods store, the local Ace hardware -- before ending up at B&B Supply Company. It's a teensy little building on a corner about a mile from our place, next to an adorable little bungalow with a thriving garden.
We walked in, and I blanched a bit to see the posters of various game animals, including rabbits, with targets on them. (It also smelled a little funny in there.) But I held my ground. The owner came out to talk to us and was very nice -- he was clearly invested in making sure that the pellets he sold us would be appropriate for squirrels (i.e., that they'd die instantly, without suffering). M did most of the talking, but I expressed my frustration with losing my plants.
Then, a funny thing happened. The owner said, "You know, I used to have some trouble with squirrels in my garden, but I never do anymore because I put out a couple of birdbaths for them."
Um, what?
"Well, the reason they rip up plants is to get at the roots for moisture. They do it when they're not getting enough water."
Wow. I did not know that. We are in a big ol' drought, though.
"So, in my garden, I put out a couple of birdbaths near the tree where the squirrels nest. Did you see the little house next door?"
Yes, I did -- totally cute, great garden.
"Yeah, that's my house. The squirrels used to get my plants all the time, but they haven't dug up anything this year, and I think it's because of the birdbaths."
Huh. Interesting idea, but remember that at this point, my Dianthus had been destroyed only moments before, and I was still very angry. (A friend saw the posting about it said that my shadow in the photo even looked pissed.) We did go ahead and buy some pellets. Later that afternoon, M cleaned his BB-gun and practiced a little in the backyard, while I cooled my temper with a beer in the air-conditioned TV room.
But while I still thought force would be necessary, I did move the birdbath over near the squirrel tree the next morning. (It hadn't been seeing any bird action, anyway -- it was more like a wasp-bath at that point.)
Surprise: that was at least two weeks ago, and I have yet to lose another plant! I'm not sure whether the tree-rats have been drinking from the birdbath or just finally get fed up with us knocking down their nest, but either way, something's working.
Am I ready to call off the war? Not a chance. But am I relieved to have even a temporary truce? Fo shizzle.
No, I know -- I can't remotely pull off "fo shizzle." :)
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