Squirrel Wars: Backyard Wildlife Battles & How to Win Them [Paperback]

Kit Harrison (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2006

Despite our reverence for wildlife, many of our most favorite species raise havoc in lawns and gardens from city to suburbia. This book solves backyard problems with squirrels, raccoons, deer, crows, insects and a host of other "pests" who raid backyard bird feeders and garbage cans, nest in chimneys, eat shrubbery, dig holes and tunnels in lawns, and attack garden foliage. George H. Harrison, award-winning nature writer, photographer, book author and consultant in the field of nature and outdoors, provides a natural history of squirrels and other problem critters so that readers can better understand the enemy. Topics covered include squirrels and deer raiding bird feeders, eating shrubbery and carrying Lyme disease; woodpeckers drilling holes in siding and roofs; rabbits destroying young trees, shrubs and other cultivated lawn plants; ticks, yellowjackets, wasps and ants biting, stinging and dominating sugar water feeders meant for hummingbirds; bears; raccoons; and more. Informative tips, devices and methods are explained that will lead to a peaceful coexistence with all animals, great and small.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Addressing far more than squirrel problems, the author thoroughly understands the dilemmas of homeowners wishing to enjoy backyard wildlife without encouraging pest species. A respected nature writer also known for his public television specials on bird watching, Harrison deftly describes the mammals, birds, and insects considered common backyard pests. He entertainingly documents problems homeowners have experienced, relates their quirky methods of coping, and offers sound advice to minimize the nuisances. Harrison addresses such topics as raccoons in chimneys, rabbits in the garden, and rats around birdfeeders, but there are some surprising exclusions; bats, coyotes, and snakes aren't mentioned, though Bill Adler Jr. included them in Outwitting Critters: A Surefire Manual for Confronting Devious Animals and Winning (LJ 9/1/92). Overall, this is highly readable and informative. Recommended for all public libraries.
-Bonnie Poquette, Shorewood P.L., WI
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This is a fine book and for the price, a steal! Every gardener should have a copy." -- Richmond Times - Dispatch, May 14, 2000

George Harrison describes squirrels as public enemy #1 and backs up this criticism with incredible, often comic, human-vs-squirrel stores. -- The Times-Picayune, February 15, 2000

I found this book very interesting. I'll be putting the tips and tactics to work soon, and I'm sure you will too, if you have any backyard problems. -- Northern Virginia Daily, May 13, 2000

It's filled with ideas for those who want to rid themselves of various pests without resorting to firearms. It has good info and is well-written. -- The Virginia Gazette, May 3, 2000

Personally, I found the book informative and interesting reading. -- Tri-County Sunday, May 1, 2000

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Willow Creek Press (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572232986
• ISBN-13: 978-1572232983
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #148,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a truly honest and practical guide, July 9, 2000

By 

M. Gallagher (Tacoma, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Squirrel Wars: Backyard Wildlife Battles & How to Win Them (Paperback)

Finally, someone has published a guide to dealing with my backyard foes. For years, master gardners, nursery workers, etc. have told me there was absolutely nothing I could do to protect my flowerbeds and bird feeders from squirrels, pesky birds and roaming cats. After reading this book, I know what works and what doesn't. This book not only tells me what to do, I now have some good insight into what's going on in the minds of those little critters (I wish more authors would do this). Yeah!!

My only complaint: the title is a little misleading. I got this book so I could deal with squirrels. This book covers many more backyard critters than squirrels such as cats, crows, deer, raccoons, and so on.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Squirrel Wars Too?, July 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Squirrel Wars: Backyard Wildlife Battles & How to Win Them (Paperback)

An invaluable book for any homeowner who's ever had problems with squirrels (enemy number one), rabbits, racoons, skunks, possums, deer, cats, rats, dogs, even birds, etc. Each section is dedicated to solving a problem with your animal of choice. And that's just it. It could have easily been called "skunk wars" or any other "animal wars" mentioned in this book. I guess he chose squirrels because they seem to be the most persistant animals to invade our backyard. They are truly clever. However, there's another "Squirrel Wars" book that deals with squirrels only, written in 1996, and the author's attempt to outwit them from raiding his birdfeeders. It's funny and serious. I highly recommend both Squirrel Wars. Enjoy while learning.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Must" reading for backyard gardeners & wildlife enthusiasts, July 3, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Squirrel Wars: Backyard Wildlife Battles & How to Win Them (Paperback)

Many favorite wildlife species wreck havoc on backyard gardens: Squirrel Wars tells how to solve a range of problems, from birds which raid bird feeders and squirrels which are geniuses at food to creatures which nest in chimneys and dig holes in lawns. Deer, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, skunks and opossums are covered, with some remedies more effective than others.