[NAFEX] Squirrel Balls

Don Yellman don.yellman at webformation.com
Tue Oct 9 20:10:37 EDT 2007


Begin with a small amount of dry plaster of paris, say about 1/2 cup.  Work in a roughly equal amount of peanut butter, kneading it with your fingers until is of a consistency to hold together in nice balls.  If it does not, add a little more peanut butter or a small amount of vegetable oil.  Do not unnecessarily overdo the peanut butter or oil, since it is the POP that does the job in the squirrel, and the higher the POP content of the mix, within the limits of good ball formation, the better the ball.  You don't want to end up feeding the squirrels with peanut butter, and an insignificant, nonlethal amount of POP.  Never add water, since that will initiate a chemical change in the POP causing it to set up prematurely.  This is what is supposed to happen from the moisture in the squirrel's gut.  The balls should be sited in a dry location, since rain will activate the POP and cause it to lose effectiveness.  I think many of the reported failures of POP balls are due to allow
ing them to become moist from rain or even heavy dew.  This can result in premature setup, allowing the squirrels to safely process the balls.  Once the chemical setup change occurs in the POP, it cannot be reversed or repeated.  So start with fresh, dry POP each time you make squirrel balls, and do not try to recycle old balls.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA



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