Last summer, based on information from the local BB-gun store owner (who would have thought I'd ever type that?), I moved the birdbath over to the tree area where the squirrels live -- and it seemed to be working. Evidently, they were getting enough moisture and no longer felt the need to dug up my plants or remove their blooms for a quick snack. Things went relatively well for the remainder of the summer and I made a mental note for this year to be sure to "water the squirrels."
And I have certainly done so! In fact, M would say that maybe I went a little overboard with the birdbaths this year (granted, my reasons for doing so were primarily bird-, not squirrel-, related). We currently have three birdbaths in the backyard: the one I had last year (in approximately the same location) ...
... a pretty new one I bought as a treat for myself and because I was excited to have a birdbath closer to the veranda ...
... and this ground-level one (it's the top portion of a regular concrete birdbath and was a very good deal -- only $15), which is definitely being used by the birds but which I really intended for the squirrels. I wanted them to have no reason to mess with my plants!
All spring (at least, the portion of it that's been warm enough for being outdoors), I kept an eye out for evidence of the little buggers' plant-munching habits. I found a few holes dug here and there in containers, but no actual digging up and/or eating.
Until ...
Remember how I'm growing dwarf sunflowers again this year?
Evidently, the tree rats have other ideas. Grrr....
Once again, just like with my poor dianthus, they ripped off the bloom, took a taste, and left the thing there for me to find.
Seriously. They're asking for it.
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