While we were checking on the equipment Terry wants to take to the up-and-coming consignment sales we also checked on the condition of the ditches and the gated pipes.
We are just checking, making metal notes of what needs to be done in the spring.
Outside of the typical shove and heave of the winter ground everything looks pretty normal…a little work here and there, dirt needs to be hauled in over at this spot, we want to put in the next set of the transmission pipe. By the time we got to the last ditch next to old Apricot tree we were feeling pretty good about the spring (ditch) work load.
Then we saw it! Squirrel holes, complete with path to and fro. Now you must understand that I really like squirrels…I love their fun approach to life, their naughty little antics and their cute little faces.
What we don’t like is when they make their homes in the side of the ditches. Since they make many holes (the main door, and at least four other doors) they turn the ditch into a sieve.
We will let them finish out the season here, then just before we turn water down we will block everything up. Before we do so we will watch the hole and make sure they are gone, how many are in the hole and how many holes we have to deal with. The best way to move the critters on is moth balls—spread a layer of mothballs at the mouth of all the holes, (but one) allowing the family to escape. (The smell drives them out) Once gone…it doesn’t take long –one day at the most— we cover the holes, turn the water down and the season begins.
I have thought long and hard about posting this, but decided that I will anyway. Ground Squirrels in Colorado and other states are not a protected species they are considered pests. We try hard to be good stewards of our land and the creatures that live on this land, even if they are considered pests. Please don’t leave an ugly comment we do care and we do take strong humane measures to protect our wildlife.
(Fuzzy, Sammy the cat, and I draw a line a mice…sorry…I just can’t support mice populations in the buildings or the equipment or getting into my house. If they want to live all over the farm out on the land, good for them, but around the buildings…well you get the picture. Also, if you are a firm believer in saving mice populations please don’t leave me a nasty comment I will just delete it.) 😦
The storm flew out yesterday riding hard on freezing winds. The sunset strung itself across the western sky lighting up
The ‘dobies and Grand Mesa
Gradually the day darkened; still the pink remained. As I watched I wondered if those that live in Eckert and Cedaredge could feel that pink light surrounding them. Possibly like looking through ‘rose-colored glasses.”
Your Friend,
Linda
Life on a Colorado Farm 
I certainly understand why you can’t have holes in the water ditch since you’re paying for any water lost through them. We have similar problems with chipmunks tunneling in our flower beds and eating bulbs. They are cute, but I wish they would be cute in some other yard.
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no nasty comments from me. you’re driving them out – not even poisoning them, trapping them or killing them.
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I do understand the dilemma of the little creatures that make holes in our irrigation ditches and fields. We have prairie dogs here. While they are cute, adorable creatures, they are a definite hazard to crops, man and equipment. They make huge holes for tractors to break an axle in; they will clear huge areas around their dens for security and one can break a leg stepping into the hole. What to do?? We try to get them to move…they are wily little buggers, it’s very hard to capture and move them. It’s a constant problem here. I think you are doing a great job of handling your squirrels, Linda. You’re very considerate of the little guys, while taking care of your business, too. Great job!!!
Sunset pinks are like no other color…love the picture! Blessings!
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Hear Hear! I understand more people die in Colorado from hantavirus – from mice – than from lightning strike (and Colorado has a goodly number of lightning strikes!). I too would like to keep all animals – especially the cute ones – but pests are PESTS! Cute or not. I lived in Houston after Hurricane Ike and sent money to an animal rescue organization. Imagine my dismay when the results were in and 78% of the animals saved were rats!
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The people who champion the cause of the mice don’t seem to mind when populations of them are wiped out when grain and vegetables are harvested for their dinner tables.
Such Hypocrites.
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No nasty remarks from here! We have them too. Some years they’re an awful problem.
Blowing away here.Big wind, water and mud everywhere. .
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No nasty comments from here. Sounds like you’re being more than kind in your approach to the pests.
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Most people who live on a farm or rural properties like us get rid of ground squirrels and mice any way we can, Here the ground squirrels are so bad that once a year there is a squirrel shoot. Yes, we shoot them whenever we can. They are prolific and ruin many crops. Our cats hunt them, too. That is just the way it is. Vermin is vermin,
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With you on the mice, and rats, and other creatures of that ilk…although I kinda like shrews…ferocious little beasts that they are.
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My mom always put moth balls around her flower beds to keep the cats and dogs out of them.
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UGH! Hate when the gopher holes are in the irrigation ditches. That water is so precious and to have it go where its not suppose to!
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No nasty comments from here; in fact I think you are being more than fair, giving them a fair chance to get out the door. You have to have some common sense in this life. (In fact, in your line of work, you have to have a LOT of it!)
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You are kinder than I would be. I will leave it at that. 🙂
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Very interesting! I wouldn’t have thought of the mice creating such havoc to the ditches. Don’t worry about any naysayers … sometimes you have to live through situations before you can say what you would do/not do!
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I do the exact same thing with mothballs around my house here in the suburbs! In the fall, the squirrels and chipmunks dig under my front porch, excavating out the sand and dirt that keeps the porch level. You don’t want to come to my front door in October, it reeks of mothballs. We have an underground sprinkler for the lawn and the critters tunnel into the control boxes and chew through the wires so I fill the boxes with mothballs, too.
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You are kind. You use moth balls instead of a frying pan.
And mice spread disease and get into food meant for others, so they don’t deserve any respect at all.
I wish we could use moth balls to keep the squirrels out of the pecan trees when the pecans are ripening; but they are waay too big for that.
Have a wonderful week!
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Oh Squirrels…. Love ’em/Hate ’em…. We have lots of problems with both squirrels and chipmunks—so neither are ‘friends’ to me!!!!! ha
I’m a little shaken tonight. We had a near-miss-head-on car accident this afternoon when a car was coming straight toward us in OUR lane. We swerved and went into the ditch. Luckily, we are fine and no damage to the car –other than being dirty. BUT–we were just lucky that the ditch wasn’t steep…. SCARY!
Hugs,
Betsy
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Good morning, Linda! It’s a sun shiny morning in the Black Forest – and it’s snowing! One of those wierd Colorafo things. Kinda pretty. Love the skys you’ve been having – just beautiful! Critters
We’ve got the squirrels. And those tall ones… the ones with sharp, pointy horns that devour everthing. You guys are taking care of one of the most precious commodities within our state – water, and every drop is precious. And you are being good to the critters, no doubt about it!
My mother used to tell me stories about the ditches -fist fights and all, when she grew up on a farm outside Denver. (Think pavement probably covers the area now) She stills smiles about taking care of the ditches 🙂
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🙂 I am with you! They are cute to watch but the mess they do to engines, and homes and barns is crazy and costs thousands to repair over and over. . I spent year with flying squirels in my ceiling never knowing how they got in or how to rid the home of them well until they came in to join us on pker night I then drew a line in the sand Forest is their HOME IS MINE!
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It’s so important to be realistic about animals that become pests. Here in NZ we don’t have squirrels but we have (imported) possums that destroy the native vegetation. We can’t afford to be sentimental.
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Lovely evening color out there. Glad to hear you don’t have so much to do in the spring to get ready. I think that’s really great that you give the squirrels a chance to leave on their own.
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