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Squirrels
Proper sanitation and property maintenance will prevent most problems. Most
urban squirrels owe their existence to humans. We supply both food, and shelter
without thinking. A house is just another funny looking tree to the squirrel.
Why should the squirrel spend days cutting and hauling twigs up a tree to build
a nest, when there is a perfectly good attic to sleep in. Its warm, out of the
weather, and they don't have to worry about predators coming in. Just add a few
leaves, a bit of fluff, and call it home.
A dish of pet food left
unattended, an open garbage can, or a full bird feeder is a free meal to a
hungry squirrel. Their common sense says "this sure beats foraging" and it's a
lot easier. Wow...these humans are really great!
If you read this far, then you probably have some of these problems already.
So, remove the food supply. If it is a bird feeder, move it twenty or more feet
from the house. Close or cover garbage cans, and if possible make them
inaccessible. If you have a barbecue near the house, keep it clean and covered.
Squirrels have been know to eat the drippings and sometimes build a nest if they
can get inside. It doesn't take very long, sometimes just hours.
Maybe
the squirrels are digging in your garden, or flower pots. While you can't stop a
squirrel from digging, you can discourage it. Use hardware cloth, a heavy metal
screening with a half inch square grid, to place in the flower pot. Cut it to
fit around the stem of the plant, and extend it to the edges of the pot. Place
it just below the soil. Put some small rocks near the edge to hold it in place.
This same approach can be used in a small garden.
If the squirrels are
eating your fruit as it ripens, about the only way to stop them is to cage the
entire plant. Most times this is not practical, and allowing them to have a
little may be a small price to pay. I know they can be wasteful, try to accept
it as food tasting.
Other devices, such as high frequency sound
emitters and animal scents may be effective for a short period of time. Once the
squirrel gets use to them, and they will. They become ineffective, and you're
out a lot of money.
The use of "Squirrel Away" or "Hot Pepper Spray" are
also ineffective as deterrents. They can actually do harm to both squirrels,
and other animals, especially when these products get into their eyes. Then
how do you deal with a blind squirrel?
The use of "moth balls" as a
deterrent does work. But again, only temporarily. A determined squirrel will get
used to the smell, or simply push the "smelly stuff" out of its way. So if you
do try this method, wrap them in a piece of metal screening to form a bag. Then
tie the bag to a solid object, make it as difficult as possible for the squirrel
to move. You will have to replace the contents every few days for it to be
truly effective.
Another problem area can be exposed wires or rubber
hose's. Most common are those on gas grills, and stored motor vehicles. But, low
voltage lighting can be a tempting target for squirrels. What the most squirrels
are trying to do, is clean and sharpen their teeth. They do this by biting
through some material, (normally wood) then they pull their head back so the
fibers slide between the teeth. I guess you could call it the squirrel version
of dental floss. Most squirrels stick with small tree branches, but some have
found the plastic coated wire or rubber hose does a much better job. The only
way to stop this problem is to trap and relocate the offending squirrel. Once
the squirrel is removed, the problem should end.
Once a squirrel has
chewed its way into an attic or crawl space, again the only practical way to
remove it is by trapping (see section below). Of course repairs should be made
immediately to close the entrance hole. It is also important to cut off the
access route to the attic or crawl space. This may require trimming tree
branches that overhang the roof. Remove firewood that may be stacked against the
building. Fill cracks in foundation walls. Even a one inch hole or crack can
make a suitable entrance hole for a determined squirrel. When patching wood, use
metal plates or flashing where ever possible. On foundations walls use concrete.
Avoid plastic or PVC vents when ever possible.
If your only alternative is to trap, and remove an unwanted squirrel, you
should first check with your local government agency. Your City,
County, or State may require you to obtain a permit. There may be certain
circumstances when a professional trapper is needed to capture and relocate the
animal. A phone call can save you a lot of trouble.
The other very
important part of trapping concerns the time of year. The female squirrel will
give birth to a litter of three or four, in the early spring and possibly again
in the fall. If you trap and relocate the mother squirrel, you will surely kill
her babies since they can not leave the nest on their own. While this alone
would be heart breaking, consider what will become of those baby squirrels. They
can cause quite a smell. Please give this some careful thought before you
proceed. If you're not sure, please ask for help. That's what we're here for.
If you are allowed to trap, your next step will be to find a suitable
trap. Be sure to find one that is the proper size for the squirrel you wish to
trap. Too small of a trap may not completely enclose the squirrel and one too
large may not be sensitive enough for a one pound squirrel.
Traps should
come with instructions to bait and set them, be sure you under- stand and follow
the directions. Peanut butter (Skippy crunchy) is considered the best bait for a
squirrel. Placing a spoonful on the trip lever usually does the trick.
Your first step is to do a little detective work. Find the path that the
squirrel is using to your attic, crawl space or where ever it should not be. To
find this path, you must first observe your squirrel's routine. Normally, a
squirrel will leave the nest at dawn or shortly after in search of food. This
would be the best time to watch and wait. Find a place where you can view your
house and the entrance hole. Be very still, and watch how it gets to or from the
house. E.g. climbing, jumping or both. Once you discover this path, you should
place the trap accordingly. Always set the trap on a stable surface, such as the
ground, on a porch or deck. Never hang the trap!
If you have the time,
leave the trap opened and without bait for several days, so the squirrel will
accept it as part of the landscape. You should also consider what if any other
animals might be in the area of the trap. Since a cat, dog, or even a bird may
be tempted into your trap.
You must be able to see or hear the trap
operate, so it would be best to set it only when you have the time to watch or
listen for it to operate. Once a squirrel is trapped it must be removed as
quickly as possible to prevent stress to the animal. Be sure you are wearing
heavy work gloves while handling the trap. Be prepared to listen to a lot of
complaining. This squirrel is going to voice its displeasure non-stop!
You must relocate the squirrel at least a three miles from your
location, even further if you are in a heavily wooded area. An ideal location
would have a natural barrier, such as a river or lake. If you're moving the
squirrel within an urban area, try to place it across several highways or other
busy streets. You should give some thought to where you are going to relocate
the squirrel before capture. A place where it can find food, water and shelter
would be in your best interest. Don't give this squirrel a reason to return!
It may be necessary to repeat this process if more than one squirrel is
involved. Please remember that if there are babies in the nest, they can "not"
be trapped and must be removed by hand.
Then be sure to correct the
problem that led to the squirrel moving in, as quickly as possible. Be sure to
wash the entrance area, with a strong solution of ammonia and water, or a
household cleaner to remove any scent the squirrel's may have left.
If
you have problems, concerns, or questions about live trapping. Many local
government agencies have people that are knowledgeable in this area and may be
able to offer you additional advice.
If you do not have the time or are
not sure you can accomplish this task. There are professional animal or pest
control companies that can remove squirrels for you. If you consider the time
and effort involved, it may be best to contact a local company for an estimate.
To have Squirrels removed and the damage repaired
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