Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-04-13
This and That
By Charles E. TrGce1Deu.
DECATUR STREET.
Dear Sir:

Dear Sir:
your knowledge and familiarity with
wild birds and animals, I believe, is
second to none, and has furnished your
readers with so much valuable informa-
ton as to how we should treat our small
friends, I am prompted to ask for a
solution of our squirrel problem, to wit:
"A giant oak tree opposite our house
whose branches extend toward the attic,
furnishes the squirrels easy access to
the attic, and during the past winter
they have gnawed large hole right
through the timbers and thus provided
themselves an indoor playroom or warm
quarters for the duration.
CAS- we do not store any edibles in
the attic, its use being the storage of
unused furniture and the like, I do not
understand why these little animals
need this room, in addition to the
large oak.
Can you suggest way to keep my
attic from being invaded, or render it
squirrelproof?
Sincerely yours, E. W."
1t is against the law to poison or
otherwise injure the squirrels in the Dis
trict of Columbia. They are wards of
the municipality.
Therefore, the householder with squir-
rels in the attic must think of some
other way to get rid of them.
Cutting off the jutting limbs of the
tree is about the most practical sug-
gestion following which the hole in the
house should be repaired.
Often there is just one limb which
affords the beasties opportunity to get
in. If it is removed, the bridge is de-
stroyed.
Squirrels in the attic are much more
dangerous than bats in the belfry."
They can cause considerable damage,
and are possible fire hazard.
Even great friend of animals can
not look on with composure when these
small fellows decide to enter his prop
erty. Their sharp teeth and their lack
OF knowledge of such things as cleo
tricity make them dangerous guests.
They should not be tolerated indoors.
This puts upon the householder the
necessity of outwitting them Often
persistence will do it. If they are dis
turbed time after time, In their attic
retreat, they will in time give over
the attempt
Trapping may be tried Humane traps
can be secured, large enough to give
the animals chance to turn around in;
when caught, the entire trap may be
transported to Rock Greek Park, where
the squirrels may be released.
Great care should be taken, if this is
tried, to make sure that the animals
have no opportunity to bite one. A
SQUIRREL hitQ ic
painful. There is, too, slight possibility
that a squirrel may have rabies, having
peen bitten by some mad dog
x X X X
Several years ago, squirrels entered
the nome Of prominent Government
ofhclal While his family was away for
Inc summer. This was, in the days
"hen of1clals took summer vacations.
When the family returned, they dis
covered that the animals had done dam
age to the extent of several hundreds
OF dollars. Entering by the chimney
they had been unable to get back
that way.
In their mad efforts to escape, thew
had gnaWed away the entire casing of
the doors and windows, and had done
considerable damage to the furnishings
We have a friend who found SOUR
rel In his sun porch, where it had
knocked over all his plants.
Evidently these animals become
frightened When they realize they are
trapped and begin frantic endeavors to
get out.
One of the least troubles of SQUIRRELS
in the attic or walls of a house is their
playful activity in the early morning.
herd of elephants could scarcely
make more noise. For this reason alone
they are very undesirable house guests
But they are persistent creatures, and
will return to a desired haven time and
time again. 1t is necessary to pit mans
intelligence against them, but If the
human being is persistent as we'll as
intelligent, In the end he will outwit
| them,s
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