Squirrel Damage

[Walli]

I have an enclosed blind for deer hunting as this 76 year old guy needs some protection from the cold and wind. Problem is during the winter the squirrels chew up the plywood that it is made of. Any suggestions as I don't want to shoot them with my 270.

Thanks
Wireline

[NathanH]

Has this happened several years or just last year. Also that type red or gray?

[Walli]

This has been going on for a number of years. See greys when deer hunting.

Thanks

Wireline

[NathanH]

If it's a 100 percent enclosed rat poison for sure if not soak it in ropel might need a bit of it wood should soak it up and taste like crap. Might take a few sprays to get it soaked up. Been there done that also trimming back the population will help too. Porcupine could be your issue as well.

[Walli]

Nathan, will try Ropel.

Thanks

[yoopertrout]

Please don't use rat poison. You can't kill every squirrel in the woods - but you could kill lots of them, and get the poison into the food chain.

[NathanH]

I agree but if the stand is 100 enclosed I see no issue with bumping off the problem. Shouldn't have a ton of animals getting in likely just one.

[ffishman]

Make up a solution with cayenne pepper in a spray bottle. Squirrels do not tolerate hot stuff and will stay away. Spray the wood with it and you should be good to go. Just don't go lick it yourself.

[Bad Santa]

Are you sure it's squirrels, and not porkies? We put up a small shed on our hunting property and the porkies ate it like crazy. When we repaired it, we put a border of treated lumber on the edges and it stopped the consumption. I'm sure at least one porkie had a bad belly ache.

[Walli]

What I did was spray down the plywood edges with auto undercoating after deer season. Time will tell.

Wireline