Feeding Squirrels - what should i do?

Question

i understand the cons of feeding squirrels but i feel the pros outweigh it. my neighbor seems to think i am the cause of her rodent problems and yelled at me yesterday and threaten to call the city on me. i checked and it's not illegal to feed them. I don't leave table food out, it's all high quality feed and it's in a feeder at the back end of my yard. my neighbor has set up mouse trap to kill any chipmunk/squirrels/etc. that get on her property. i don't agree with what she is doing but i can't tell her what to do so i don't feel she has a right to tell me what to do either! i am not the only one feeding in the neighborhood and my feeding is not the cause of her problems. i really don't want to start a war but i don't see why i need to change my lifestyle to accommodate her. i want to continue to enjoy my home/yard but it's hard now cuz of her. what should i do? give in? continue to live my life the way I want to live it? Serious comments please! thanks!

Answer 1

continue to live your life s***w her some people just find things to b**** about

Answer 2

Squirrels rock!  Just keep on feeding those little nut-lovers.

:)

Answer 3

As long as you are not breaking any city ordinances, you should continue to do the feeding you enjoy.  However, you should not get attached to the squirrels and thus get hurt when you find your neighbor trapping and killing them.  Everyone has the right to do what they want in their own backyard.  So, if you can separate the emotional aspect, you should be able to enjoy your way of life and not let your neighbor dedicate your happiness.  If you are renting the house, you may consider moving but if you are a homeowner, you are stuck.  We can choose to live in a neighborhood but cannot choose our neighbors.  So, if you both are to stay, ignoring her is the best way.  Just walk away when she starts complaining.  Don't argue with her in front of your house cause other neighbors will not like that either.  Just let her bark alone, pretend she is invisible....pretty soon she will run out of steam and leave you alone.

Answer 4

First of all you should check what the law is in your municipality. Some municipalities forbid the feeding of "wild" animals and other give them a protected status, so depending on your municipality both you and your neighbour could be breaking the law.

     I think you should talk to your neighbour to hash things out. If it isn't illegal to feed the squirrels, then use that argument in your favor. Also, squirrels have to eat, and if they know they can always get food at your house, they probably will be less likely to pillage your neighbours' vegetable gardens.

Answer 5

Watching squirrels can be a very enjoyable pastime, but I have to tell you it comes with some very serious drawbacks.

1) Squirrels and all other rodents run the risk of being rabid; do NOT ever hand feed them or let your children or pets near their feeder.

2) Now that you have started feeding them, they will expect it all the time. If you stop feeding them they are going to look towards your home as a possible source of their food. If they can find a way inside they will get in and believe me they can enter through the smallest of openings, and once in they will cause a lot of damage looking for food.

3) Feeding squirrels takes away their natural ability to forage for food on their own. If you stop feeding them, especially second generation squirrels that have only known the feeder as their food source, they will starve due to their lack in instinctive foraging skills.

I am sorry for telling you negative things about something that you obviously find so much enjoyment in, but we have been through this problem, and I just want you to know what you can be letting yourself in for. As far as your neighbour is concerned, what happens on your side of the fence is not her concern, so she should butt out and mind her business. If she took the time to look around her property she would probably find reasons why the squirrels are on her property the same as everyone Else's. Good luck.

Answer 6

I think you should do what you feel is right, if it's feeding the squirrles than keep feeding them.  s***w your neighbor and what she thinks.  I have to agree with one of the answers below dont get to attached to them so you won't get as hurt if she does end up catching and killing them.