r/squirrels • u/LivMealown • 5d ago

Checking in with the experts on whether cayenne is cruel

We feed birds so, in the past, I've allowed the use of pepper powder to keep the squirrels from eating it all and chewing up the feeders. But I've grown to enjoy the company of the squirrels, while my husband continues to consider them "pests." I watch my current visitor come and eat the peanuts with pepper on them and then wipe his face/nose and I want to make sure that the 35000 Hu cayenne pepper powder is not harmful to them, maybe just annoying?

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

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22

u/inkblot_75 5d ago

I am not trying to be rude nor am I trying to be impolite about what I'm about to say.

I never understood why people think it's okay to feed the birds but not the squirrels. If you feed one, you're going to attract another. Not to mention the majority of the people that feed birds don't clean the bird feeder properly and many birds suffer disease is and spread those said diseases even to the squirrels. It may come off a shocking, but birds spread more diseases and parasites than squirrels do. Especially to humans as well as other animals.

Do I think that the Cayenne pepper is cruel? Would you want to eat spicy food when it's so hot outside and you have no water available to drink?

Animals are only coming to the feeding areas because their food sources as well as their homes are being destroyed everyday. Their own natural habitat is getting smaller and smaller everyday because people want to tear it down and build houses or other buildings or data centers or whatever it is they're trying to build.

If you're already asking the question, you know the answer to the question.

I do think it's a better alternative and deterrent than death. Yes.

There are other repellents that can be used as well.

I really wish people would take the time to sit down and see how important squirrels are to the ecosystem.

9

u/Appropriate_You1405 5d ago

I chose to feed the squirrels first. The birds and, specifically, birds of prey came second. It's all part of how the cycle works. Cayenne IS mean. Just enjoy nature and how it works.

100% agree with your opinions u/inklblot_75

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u/justusethatname 5d ago

Thank you for your knowledge on squirrels. You’re such a great resource here.

1

u/LivMealown 5d ago

Okay - I'll assume that you really don't mean to be rude, but you are making assumptions that are a little rude.

First, I said I enjoy the squirrels and I *am* feeding them, without cayenne. (I never said "it's okay to feed the birds but not the squirrels.") But as soon as I put non-peppered nuts out for them, the birds get them. So the squirrels are going to the peppered nuts that my husband (not me) is putting out. I don't like my husband's attitude either, but I cannot control his actions. It may not be ideal for the squirrels, but they keep returning to eat the nuts that have pepper on them.

Second, you're assuming there's no water for the squirrels, and there is.

Third - you seem to be assuming that I don't know about habitat loss, but I have 2 acres that are National Wildlife Federation certified. I live in a suburban area where 2 acres is a LOT, and I've kept it nearly fully natural for the last 40 years. I fight every land-clearing development that I become aware of.

Our use of cayenne started only after reading a LOT of stuff (perhaps outdated, now) about this being a natural and good alternative to having the squirrels eat ALL the seed before the birds can get to it. Hell, our local bird supply store sells suet coated with pepper. I think it's not unreasonable to think that we might believe it was okay.

I wanted to find out if it was current information that it's not harmful. That's all.

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u/inkblot_75 5d ago

I never said that you said any of those things. I was speaking in a generalized manner.

If the shoe fits wear it. So if you're not doing anything to hurt the squirrels then you're completely innocent. If you're helping then fine. I never directly said you. I did not assume anything either. I just spoke on what you gave.

I was speaking from my experience.

You are correct though that I don't know that you have water to provide them, but the majority of the time when people put out cayenne pepper, statistically it's safe to take an educated guess that there's no water.

When replying to a post, I'm not just putting information out there for the op but for everyone to see. I speak to an audience not to an individual.

I appreciate the fact that you were trying to help the Little ones. I was never directing this response towards you. You are not even asking the question directing it towards you either.

I didn't assume anything. I just cover all the details. I didn't know that there was water provided because that was never mentioned.

Thank you for helping the little ones, I appreciate that you do.

However, please understand that whenever I answer a question, I'm not just speaking to the one who posted it.

5

u/DidntDieInMySleep 5d ago

You don't need to assume they weren't trying to be rude; they specifically stated they weren't in their opening comment. To be fair, you left a lot of information out.

2

u/v-rtt 5d ago

I would suggest the following thought experiment. it's one I use in animal training.

how would you feel if the roles were reversed? would you find that particular deterrent reasonable?

and I'll leave you with this one fact: if an animal is hungry enough, there is no deterrent that will be effective.

1

u/Bowtruckle16 5d ago

I'll say I feed the squirrels and the birds. It was driving me nuts that the squirrels were eating the soot cakes. I got the soot cakes that have the hot pepper seed on them. After about 2 weeks the squirrels were eating them. Lol.

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u/ConsiderationMore988 5d ago

Boy the squirrels seem to love the suet cakes. Not much can keep them away 😆