Dont Feed the Squirrels in National Parks
Condo culture: Don't feed the squirrels ? let nature take its course
Q. Some of the residents in our community insist on feeding the squirrels. This has caused constant damage from digging in our gardens and peanut shells everywhere. Now they are crawling up the wall trying to find an entry point. At a recent meeting owners were told not to feed the squirrels, however, some are still doing it. What can we do to help resolve this problem before it gets any further out of hand?
A. When squirrels are fed by humans, it encourages them to enter foundation openings, chew on window screens, fit into chimneys, and gnaw into a roof's overhang, shingles, gable and soffit areas and where the two roofs meet. They will also burrow under sheds, homes, businesses, porches, decks and crawl spaces and even chew and destroy electrical wiring because they can get into the attic through crevices. Squirrels also have been known to live in dryer vents. They have no problem climbing up the stucco or brick to gain access into your condo.
Once a squirrel is settled in they can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to fix. The hole that squirrels use to enter becomes a great place for water leaks to form and a passageway for other animals, including rodents, bats, honeybees and insects. Squirrels are heavily infested with pests that can spread to your home or business searching for hosts. I have heard that bone meal around plants or Deer Off spray will help deter squirrels from your gardens.
Serious squirrel problems will affect the value of your condo property as well as your condo budget. Feeding them will no doubt overpopulate your community with squirrels but also other wildlife. Overpopulation occurs because humans teach the squirrels they don't have to rely on their own hunting/gathering skills to find food because they learn how to rely on humans providing for them.
The board of directors must be diligent when it comes to protecting the welfare of the condo owners as well as the condo property. They may pass a condo rule informing the owners that no further feeding of the squirrels in the condo community will be permitted. Explain to the owners why this rule is necessary and that the costs to repair any further damages could be billed to those who refuse to comply. I was informed that in some condos it was necessary for the board to get photos of those who insisted they were not feeding the squirrels even when they continued to do so. A photo speaks a thousand words and will help confirm who is responsible for the damages that continue to occur due to owner negligence. A 10-year battle in Vancouver over bird-feeder droppings on windows and balconies resulted in a condo owner who was ordered to pay a $143,000 legal bill because of damages.
Enjoy watching wildlife take care of itself. Squirrels will build their nests in trees where they belong if we don't interfere with their natural living habits.
Marilyn Lincoln is a condo owner, director and author of The Condominium Self Management Guide 2nd ed. Email marilyncondoguide@hotmail.com with questions. To order a copy of her guide, send $39.95 plus $8.98 shipping and handling to The Condo Guide, 163 Thaler Ave., Suite 302, Kitchener, Ontario. N2A 1R4
Source: https://lfpress.com/2016/08/11/condo-culture-dont-feed-the-squirrels--let-nature-take-its-course/
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