The Hazards of Feeding Raw Peanuts to Squirrels
Back in January, RJ came over and helped me make a bird sanctuary in my back yard. I put in feeders, and a bird bath, and a squirrel feeder to try to keep the furry little bastards out of the bird feeders. I learned early that South Florida squirrels turn their cute whiskered noses up at dried corn. They prefer sunflower seeds, and most particularly, raw peanuts. It keeps them happy, fat and out of the mango trees, so I’m happy to feed them what ever they want.
But now it’s July, and my lawn (such as it is) is overrun by these plants.
What are they? Those, my dear gentle readers, are peanut plants. I have a veritable peanut plantation sprouting at random throughout my yard. Not only do the squirrels squirrel away nuts for later, the blasted blue jays do too. Next year I won’t have to buy peanuts, I’ll just harvest the yard. But I may boil these little guys up for myself, and start feeding the critters roasted nuts.
No kidding..those are peanut plants? Wow…The ground squirrels here would love peanuts or sunflower seeds, but they get cracked corn. You might try that instead of dried or whole corn, but they might be peanut spoiled now…but I do have peanuts in the bird feeder so I am going to go look and see if I have any peanut plants growing. Of course the Buffalo winter should take care of it. Thank you for participating in Nature Notes.. Michelle
I guess it’s all very well for me to laugh! I don’t have this problem! I’m utterly amazed and still chuckling! Any spare peanuts? (Sorry!)
Too funny. I didn’t know raw peanuts would sprout, but it makes perfect sense that they would. Thistle seeds that escape from bird feeders will grow like crazy too.
Well, don’t tell the hubs, but I generally put out unsalted dry-roast peanuts from the jars (cheapest brand available). MJ sometimes gets upset that I’ll put out “people food”. Frankly, it works out cheaper than the peanuts in the shell or the “critter food”, and no shells in the birdbaths. I’ve got lots of spontaneous sunflowers, though they haven’t produced their own seeds…
Where I work, the furry little vermin prefer their nuts roasted!