Staffers at the Cincinnati Zoo are become increasingly frustrated due to squirrels’ penchant for chewing on Christmas lights that are strung up on the property.

Sure, seeing a squirrel munch on plants or nuts is a common sight, but we don’t expect them to chew right through holiday decorations.

Regardless, that’s exactly what the little creatures are doing in Ohio. Staffers at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden are become increasingly frustrated due to the squirrels’ penchant for chewing on Christmas lights that are strung up on the property.

The zoo’s ‘Festival of Lights’, which attracts 250 thousand visitors during the season, is now being threatened because of the squirrels. Approximately 2 million LED lights are installed on the property from August until the end of the holidays.

While it makes a beautiful sight, unfortunately the elaborate display gives the squirrels plenty of bulbs and string to munch on. This year’s problem isn’t the first occurrence either.

The squirrels have been pulling this same stunt for years. Zoo employees have tried putting hot sauce on the lights but the creatures didn’t seem to mind the spicy taste in the least bit.

For now, zoo officials are trying to figure out a way to make the practice stop. The director of horticulture at the Cincinnati Zoo, Steve Foltz remarked “It's a challenge whose smarter, the squirrel or the horticulturists.”

At this point, he openly admits the squirrels have the upper hand.