How to get rid of Squirrels? really tired of 'em

15 years ago

Hi,

We have a number of fruits trees in backgard bearing fruits. However, almost all fruits are ruined or consumed by squirrels (Gray Squirrels). We have tried a number of humane ways to get rid of them, but nothing has worked so far.

I do not want to destroy them, just want to get rid of them from backyard. I am thinking of using Squirrel trap.

+ Has anyone tried using squirrel trap to get rid of squirrels? How effective are they? What is your experience w/ it?

+ Could you recommend the brand/model of trap that you've found effective in your experience for gray squirrels?

This will greatly help. Thanks very much!

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Comments (12)

Kimmsr
15 years ago
One of the problems of trapping squirrels is what do you o with them after trapping them? Many states have laws that state you must be licensed to transport wild animals anyplace, so if Calfornia has that type of law (as Michigan does) and you cannot, legally, move this now trapped critter somewhere other than your yard do you now feed it forever? Baiting with poisons is not a good idea either since other animals could get that bait and be poisoned too. There are sprays that may deter the wee buggers, however, that are less harmfull that will discourage them from eating the fruits. There are also barriers you could rig to keep the out of the trees.
ms_minnamouse
15 years ago
Try getting one of those sprays with coyote blood and/or urine in it. I think they even make some with latex or something in it so it's water proof and lasts for a long time. You don't need to spray the fruit, just the base of the tree and maybe some leaves in fruitless places on the trees.

We don't have a problem with squirrels here but deer are killer and this has worked wonders.
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arockerdude
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I have 10 fruit trees and Two cats. They are great guards!!! The birds do get some of my cherries. Dave
renais
15 years ago
I find that Havaheart traps baited with an apple slice and peanut butter work wonderfully. Even though the squirrels see others in the trap, they do not seem to become trap shy, and very quickly enter when the trap is open. I wouldn't try transporting the captives; the recommended method here is to immerse the whole trap in water. Empty the trap after a couple hours in the water. These traps made a very large difference for us in a short period of time. I trap vigourously for a short while, reduce the population to zero or near zero, and then have months before I need to trap again.
Renais
Kimmsr
15 years ago
Even better that traps is to encourage Coyotes and foxes to take up reidence nearby and that will reduce the squirrel population. But even that is cyclical. During the summer my squirrel population went way down because of the Coyotes and fox, but since they moved onto more abundant pastures the squirrel population has increased again mostly with squirrels that apparently moved from a more hazardous (to them) area.
rgreen48
8 years ago
My stepdad trapped and moved a bunch of squirrels just this past spring using a havaheart. Worked great for him.
blueheron
8 years ago
DH traps them and removes them to another site.
kimmq
8 years ago
Live trapping and relocating wild animals is not a humane thing to do and poses many problems. Perhaps this link might provide some insight.

http://www.paws.org/wildlife/having-a-wildlife-problem/relocating-wildlife/

kimmq is kimmsr
rgreen48
8 years ago
Squirrels naturally migrate. They will travel if food resources are low, and along with other possible related reasons, if there are population booms in an area.

It's true that if you move a squirrel, another may eventually take it's place. Why? Because THEY NATURALLY MIGRATE!

So, trapping and moving squirrels to a similar (hopefully more rural) area, regardless of what one organization 'recommends', is not a tremendous hardship.

BTW... my Grandfather was famous for his love of squirrels! Mainly in stews. I guess that's more humane to some.

I've seen entire forest areas removed for construction projects. If you think trapping and relocating wildlife is inhumane, you better be out there telling people that cutting down trees is also inhumane!

That said... if they aren't causing damage, and you've done what you can to protect your property, then sure, consider learning to live with them.
blueheron
8 years ago
Squirrels are rodents, just like rats and mice. They don't have any natural predators, consequently they breed and take over many open places or enter homes and chew electrical cords, live and breed in attics and crawl spaces. They can be a health hazard.
kimmq
8 years ago
Hawks are predators of squirrels.

Coyotes are predators of squirrels.

Owls are predators of squirrels.

Foxes are predators of squirrels.

Raccoons are predators of squirrels.

kimmq is kimmsr
blueheron
8 years ago
We do have owls around here, but they are active at night and squirrels are active in the daytime. I have also seen a Cooper's hawk eating birds but a full grown gray squirrel would be a handful for one. Birds are easier for them, I'm guessing. Maybe I can RENT-A-COYOTE...LOL

How to get rid of Squirrels? really tired of 'em

Comments (12)

Kimmsr

ms_minnamouse

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