We have a chair and loveseat on our front porch with cushions. The damn squirrels keep chewing through the cushions and stealing the stuffing. Then they scatter it all over my yard. Last year I replaced the cushions and they've done it again. And these cushions were like $75 so not cheap. How do I get them to stay away from my cushions? I don't want to hurt them. I just want them to leave my shit alone and focus on acorns and shit.
Or do I just need to replace the chairs with ones that don't require cushions?
This reminds me of our condo with the long front porch we shared with our neighbors. Every year, the contents of their cushions would end up as little white fluffs all over the front yard. For some reason, the squirrels never went after our one cushion. It's the same now that we have our own deck, and squirrels are all over that. Maybe Sunbrella material is treated with something squirrels hate?
Third option - create a space inside where the cushions live, and take them out/bring them in when needed.
Yeah--we could. If we bring them inside they just won't get used though. It's one of those places you really only sit for 5 or 10 minutes while on the phone or something. It's mostly decorative. LOL I can see myself just sitting on the front steps instead if the cushions were inside.
This reminds me of our condo with the long front porch we shared with our neighbors. Every year, the contents of their cushions would end up as little white fluffs all over the front yard. For some reason, the squirrels never went after our one cushion. It's the same now that we have our own deck, and squirrels are all over that. Maybe Sunbrella material is treated with something squirrels hate?
They never touch the single chair. Just the loveseat. Maybe I just need to remove it for a year to allow them time to find a new place to steal fluff from.
We have a deck box where we keep that stuff. We have it closed with a bungee cord because a racoon figured out how to get into it, though!
We are having major problems with squirrels eating our birdseed lately, though. They are apparently hoarding it because they are just cleaning it out almost every day. We buy the kind of seed that squirrels aren't supposed to like (safflower seeds, and spicy!) and they do anyway. So cute but so annoying!
ETA: our deck box is right next to our furniture so it's easy to just grab stuff out for a few minutes like you describe. I am sure we'd never use them if we kept them inside, either.
Third option - create a space inside where the cushions live, and take them out/bring them in when needed.
Yeah--we could. If we bring them inside they just won't get used though. It's one of those places you really only sit for 5 or 10 minutes while on the phone or something. It's mostly decorative. LOL I can see myself just sitting on the front steps instead if the cushions were inside.
Maybe I should just donate the whole set.
This seems the way to go, especially if you're never out there. Get a rocking chair or adirondack chairs without cushions and call it a day.
We have a deck box where we keep that stuff. We have it closed with a bungee cord because a racoon figured out how to get into it, though!
We are having major problems with squirrels eating our birdseed lately, though. They are apparently hoarding it because they are just cleaning it out almost every day. We buy the kind of seed that squirrels aren't supposed to like (safflower seeds, and spicy!) and they do anyway. So cute but so annoying!
ETA: our deck box is right next to our furniture so it's easy to just grab stuff out for a few minutes like you describe. I am sure we'd never use them if we kept them inside, either.
We have two of these that the previous owners installed. I think as long as there are no trees nearby that they could jump from, they can't get to the birdseed because they can't scramble up metal. It works for us, at least!
I always cover my patio furniture when not in use to keep the cushions dry. If I'm not going to use them for a prolonged period of time or we're expecting significant rainfall, the cushions go in a deck box.
Post by InBetweenDays on Mar 20, 2023 9:51:38 GMT -5
Can you leave a sacrificial cushion? We did that with the crows. They started pulling apart an old outdoor pillow. When we got new ones we left the old one out there for them and would just move/hide it when we were out there.
We have a deck box where we keep that stuff. We have it closed with a bungee cord because a racoon figured out how to get into it, though!
We are having major problems with squirrels eating our birdseed lately, though. They are apparently hoarding it because they are just cleaning it out almost every day. We buy the kind of seed that squirrels aren't supposed to like (safflower seeds, and spicy!) and they do anyway. So cute but so annoying!
ETA: our deck box is right next to our furniture so it's easy to just grab stuff out for a few minutes like you describe. I am sure we'd never use them if we kept them inside, either.
We have two of these that the previous owners installed. I think as long as there are no trees nearby that they could jump from, they can't get to the birdseed because they can't scramble up metal. It works for us, at least!
Makes sense! Unfortunately we have ours on our deck (since that's what we can see from the living room) and they do all kinds of acrobatics to reach from the railing of the deck to the birdfeeder. It's kind of impressive!
I wonder if we could get a longer hook that puts it further away from the railing, though. I think it's about 1 squirrel body length away now so even a few more inches might help. Thanks!
We have two of these that the previous owners installed. I think as long as there are no trees nearby that they could jump from, they can't get to the birdseed because they can't scramble up metal. It works for us, at least!
Makes sense! Unfortunately we have ours on our deck (since that's what we can see from the living room) and they do all kinds of acrobatics to reach from the railing of the deck to the birdfeeder. It's kind of impressive!
I wonder if we could get a longer hook that puts it further away from the railing, though. I think it's about 1 squirrel body length away now so even a few more inches might help. Thanks!
You need at least 4 feet of space, otherwise they'll jump.
About a year ago I invested in a pole with a squirrel baffle. 10000% worth it. I am so much less angry at the squirrels. We have one that we have named Nubbs because he has no tail. They just eat what falls on the ground, now.
To keep our squirrels out of stuff I keep a bowl of birdseed and unsalted peanuts for them and throw the cat fur outside after I brush our cats. They seem to like that for their nests 😂 But maybe try the sacrificial cushion, that sounds like it might work.
Makes sense! Unfortunately we have ours on our deck (since that's what we can see from the living room) and they do all kinds of acrobatics to reach from the railing of the deck to the birdfeeder. It's kind of impressive!
I wonder if we could get a longer hook that puts it further away from the railing, though. I think it's about 1 squirrel body length away now so even a few more inches might help. Thanks!
You need at least 4 feet of space, otherwise they'll jump.
About a year ago I invested in a pole with a squirrel baffle. 10000% worth it. I am so much less angry at the squirrels. We have one that we have named Nubbs because he has no tail. They just eat what falls on the ground, now.
Damn squirrels!
We do not have the space for that - our yard is tiny and we can't see it unless we are in the basement standing directly in front of the doors, so there isn't much point in putting a feeder there. I hope they knock it off once spring hits and they have more food options... We haven't really had an issue until the last few weeks. I think they may just be desperate for food?
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
Do you need cushions on the furniture if you really don’t sit on it too often or for very long? I would lean toward just not replacing them if that’s the case.
My mom has the same issue with delinquent squirrels. She has a tiny front porch with a single wicker chair and table she decorates seasonally. She has different cushions and there are some they mess with more than others. Poly fleece seems to attract more than Sunbrella. She has a dedicated squirrel feeder but they insist on trashing her stuff.
Squirrels are devious but lazy. I might put a small pot of decorative basket next to the chair with poly craft batting in it and see if that helps.
You need at least 4 feet of space, otherwise they'll jump.
About a year ago I invested in a pole with a squirrel baffle. 10000% worth it. I am so much less angry at the squirrels. We have one that we have named Nubbs because he has no tail. They just eat what falls on the ground, now.
Damn squirrels!
We do not have the space for that - our yard is tiny and we can't see it unless we are in the basement standing directly in front of the doors, so there isn't much point in putting a feeder there. I hope they knock it off once spring hits and they have more food options... We haven't really had an issue until the last few weeks. I think they may just be desperate for food?
We would never be able to just leave cushions out for the same reason (and also mice). When we got our couch for the back patio we got one that has a hinged lid with storage inside for the cushions and it’s worked well to keep them from getting chewed.
Personally, I would get chairs that don’t need cushions - I think you’re fighting a losing battle, unfortunately.
To keep our squirrels out of stuff I keep a bowl of birdseed and unsalted peanuts for them and throw the cat fur outside after I brush our cats. They seem to like that for their nests 😂 But maybe try the sacrificial cushion, that sounds like it might work.
I used to leave the dog fur scattered on the grass, but started throwing it in the trash about a year ago when I started furminating instead of just brushing. Maybe they're mad at me and I need to go back to that. LOL