DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to N.L. from Lisbon Falls’ solution of trapping and then dropping off squirrels in cemeteries and woodchucks in “sunny locations” (Dec. 9), since there are no cemeteries that I know of that don’t have residences surrounding them, he is taking his problems and bringing them to someone else’s yard.

I live very close to Riverside Cemetery. Unless N.L. chooses to drive them to the Allagash. I would ask you to deal with your rodents yourself. My wife often reminds me that “a squirrel is a rat with a fuzzy tail.” — Pete Alberda, palberda@gwi.net

DEAR SUN SPOTS: All wildlife is territorial, and squirrels seem to be especially so. Moving a squirrel into the territory of another squirrel is likely a death sentence.

The intruder will have no access to food or shelter. Squirrels on territory spend a long time caching food for the winter. A squirrel moved in the fall or winter will have no cache, and, of course, the resident squirrel will not share.

And as you pointed out, a female squirrel trapped during breeding season will leave starving young.

Relocating is not really a “win” situation for anyone, including the property owner. If a territory is appealing to squirrels, taking the “nuisance” squirrels out of that territory will just make it vacant for others to move in. — Ilze Balodis, ilzebalodis@gmail.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots, who is no fan of squirrels, agrees. She has spent years trying to keep them out of her bird feeders and away from the chipmunks, which she and Mr. Sun Spots feed. And Mr. Sun Spots has “dispatched” squirrels that got into his home office (a separate building) with a BB gun.

But she also believes that any effort to rid your home of pests should be done humanely and with consideration to both the pests and your fellow humans. Even mice that the cats miss are captured with a “tin cat” and relocated to the brush pile, where they can feed the owls and other wildlife, rather than suffering a slow, painful death.

Fortunately, other predators mostly keep the squirrels and mice in balance. Foxes, coyotes, birds of prey, etc., also have young to feed and will aid in pest control if you make them welcome.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: You were real helpful in getting turkey feathers sent to me (Oct. 23). I got quite a few. Keep them coming!

A big thank-you to all who sent them to me. I make headbands for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I will be glad to send postage back to you. — Edith Gorey, P.O. Box 188, Peru, ME 04290, 562-8472 

DEAR SUN SPOTS, For Roland in Auburn asking about donkey baseball, I was on the Phillips Fire Department in the early 1980s. We had a donkey baseball match against the Strong Fire Department in Strong. It was a small fundraiser for the department.

We all had to have a couple of beers in us prior to the game. We played four or five inning with a wiffle ball and bat.

There was a man or two who had a whip to guide the donkeys, who were trained. He snapped the whip, and the donkeys went the opposite way from where you wanted them to go!

I am 6 foot, 3 inches, so I was flat footed trying to ride a donkey!

Thank you for helping me remember. — Bob B. , Lewiston

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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