Can an animal communicator persuade squirrels to cease and desist garden destruction? So far, I cannot.

The squirrels have 80-90 percent of our backyard sanctuary at their disposal. They have places to hide from predators, a regularly refilled water dish, a steady supply of peanuts and ample room to bury their nuts. Yet they persist in digging holes in my garden beds … even burrowing under the chicken wire cloches anchored there specifically to thwart them.

“Guys, please leave these alone,” I asked them calmly, picturing and pointing to the raised beds and containers in the corner. Then I did the same with the rest of the yard: “The rest of this abundant and suitable space is fair game. I’ll share the carrots and sweet potatoes if you let them grow.”

No deal.

Part of it is that wild animals do not have the same stake in communicating and working with us humans as their domestic counterparts. Their instinct to dig, devour and bury will override any benefit they might see in cooperating with a two-legged gardener. Sure I could threaten to cut off their benefits, put out poison or set traps if they keep disturbing the beds, but I would never follow through.

So I toss out the peanuts well away from the vegetable beds, say “bon appetit” and add “you blasted bushy-tailed vandals” under my breath.

And I continue to work on humane exclusion and deterrent methods, knowing I’m in their back yard just as much they’re in mine.