Troop of fat, bold squirrels force park to scale back holiday lights

[Sugar Cookie]

A troop of fat, hungry squirrels has put the kibosh on a downtown St. Paul park's holiday lights display.

Friends of Mears Park had to forego the usual display this year because squirrels chewed through the lights' wires last year and the vendor refused to put up with the headache and cost again this year, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Tuesday.

The wires, it turns out, were coated with polylactic acid, a derivative of corn sugar, an appealing appetizer for squirrels spoiled by park visitors who won't stop feeding them, said Ann LaBore, co-chair of the friends group.

Instead of the traditional display, the friends group is using a projector to create a kaleidoscope of snowflakes and base lights that bathe the trees in green and blue. LaBore said she's gotten complaints that the display is far too anemic this year.

Blame the "tree rats," La Bore said.

"People look down from their condos or apartments and they want to see the twinkly lights," she said. "Well, we can't have twinkly lights. It was probably this or nothing."

Troop of fat, bold squirrels force park to scale back holiday lights

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A troop of fat, hungry squirrels has put the kibosh on a downtown St. Paul park's holiday lights display. Friends of Mears Park had to forego the usual display this year because squirrels chewed through the lights' wires last year and the vendor refused to put up with the...

foxbaltimore.com

Lee Ann LaBore you look like a big bitchy shrew

 

[Metalfan]

Where are the acorns bitch!!

 

[Sejanus]

Ann, you La Bore me.

Fat squirrels crack me up.
Tubby little trouble makers.

 

[Sevens My Charm]

Friends of Mears Park – Saint Paul Parks Conservancy

www.friendsofmearspark.org

 

[Satanica]

My dogs get a lot of exercise running back and forth along the fence after the squirrels who never touch the ground unless the dogs are inside. I'm pretty sure they're just messing with the dogs since I hardly ever see them running along the fence unless the dogs are outside. It's a win win as far as I'm concerned.

My first inlaw's had a bad house fire due to squirrels chewing on wires in the attic.

 

[Hermy]

Could something like this be done, but with squirrels?

 

[Satanica]

Have you ever tried herding squirrels, @Hermy?

 

[Hermy]

Have you ever tried herding squirrels, @Hermy?

Sometimes, I have enough trouble herding my own thoughts....

 

[Sudonim]

Im so confused why they had light strings coated in polylactic acid. Its the same compound they use for biodegradable pins, plates, etc in surgery. It is meant to break down. It degrades to nothing after 6-12 months. I've never heard of coating an electrical wire in something that will degrade so quickly. On top of that, its extremely bad for the environment. If a light string was to drop onto the ground and then break down it would cause such a spike in acidity that it would kill the surrounding nature. The cherry - when they break down it turns into lactic acid, which is really bad in large amounts for squirrels(really all humans/animals) and can cause organ failure.