LEWISTON, Maine — Maine's second-largest city has message for squirrels climbing on its Christmas tree: Bah humbug!
Weary of the rodents chewing up holiday lights, the city of Lewiston authorized installation of an electrical zapper to keep squirrels off the 55-foot spruce.
Colton Tlumac of Modern Pest Services tells the Sun Journal that he donated time and materials for the system that discourages squirrels from chewing on the $3,500 LED Christmas lights on the tree in Kennedy Park.
He decided to help out after the squirrels caused city workers to take down the lights just days after the Dec. 3 tree lighting.
He says the battery-powered system gives a harmless zap to squirrels that attempt to climb the tree's trunk. It's high enough off the ground to avoid zapping people.