Squirrel away!
I was given two dozen black ‘Queen of the Night’ tulip bulbs last summer and carefully planted them in a couple of garden tubs before Christmas. Luckily, I was at home on the day that my local grey squirrel had spotted (or smelled) their new green shoots and had already gnawed away maybe three or four tasty treats. Consequently, I was able to quickly dash out with wire mesh cages to cover over and secure protect of the tubs and their not inexpensive contents. What is it with squirrels – how do they know just where to nibble for maximum aggravation? Whilst visitors to my house, especially those without gardens, delight in watching squirrel acrobatics I do not find them equally cute. These foreign grey invaders from North America can breed two litters a year, each with two or four babies. They vandalise trees, especially oak and sycamore and beech, nibbling away through tree bark, just as we’re trying to protect and build up the numbers of such native species. I read recently that trials are underway of a contraceptive bait to reduce their numbers and hence the damage done by the little grey blighters. I’d be happy to test that out in my garden!