Squirrel deterrents and squirrel repellents may not take care of your squirrel problem. Learn why you should remove squirrels from your home and how to trap a squirrel or remove rodents with the best squirrel live trap or Havahart humane traps.
Remove Rodents with the Best Squirrel Live Trap or Havahart Humane Traps
Are squirrels harmless right? Fun to watch, fun to feed — what’s wrong with that? House fires and contagious diseases can take the fun out of squirrel watching in a hurry. Find out why you should deter, repel or remove squirrels with one of the best squirrel live traps, such as humane Havahart.
Squirrels Are Cute but May Be Dangerous to Your Home
Squirrels are cute, funny and furry acrobats of nature. They even have their own Squirrel Appreciation Day. They’re our friends. Or are they? While these fancy rodents may be very entertaining to watch on a cold, dreary winter’s day, they are not so entertaining if they gain access to your attic, eat all your wild bird seed or dig up your tulip bulbs.
Squirrels will also eat wiring inside or under a home if food is in short supply which can cause a house fire. Still, think they’re cute? It may be time to look into purchasing the best squirrel live trap including Havahart traps or homemade squirrel traps to rid your home of this danger.
Squirrel Diseases
Squirrels have been known to carry rabies – and they do bite if handled – they carry lice, mange mites, Lyme disease, distemper, typhus, a deadly parasitic disease toxoplasmosis and a host of other diseases just like their cousins the mouse and rat.
Squirrels also carry cat scratch disease which can be transferred to the lymph nodes of humans via the scratch or lick of cats, dogs or squirrels. Squirrel droppings in the attic or a child’s play area may contain parasitic worms or eggs that can be easily ingested by children or family pets.
Humane Trapping
Humane squirrel traps such as Havahart that do not kill or harm the animal are available as a box trap or a cage trap. They can also be homemade with a heavy gauge wire and simple hardware. This method of trapping allows the homeowner or business owner to safely remove unwanted pests from a building, including rats. It may be illegal, however, or a permit may be required to catch and release wild animals in your county or state.
A list of Wildlife Control Operators who are licensed in pest removal in your state can be found on the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management. If catch and release are allowed, you will need to take your prisoner at least an hour away from your home to a forested location. Suggested bait for the best squirrel live trap includes sliced fruit, shelled nuts, and peanut butter.
The Best Squirrel Live Trap Is Great for Catching Rats Also
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Squirrel Repellants
Squirrel repellants may give some temporary relief but they have their drawbacks. Mothballs placed in an attic may repel the critters but they are very dangerous to your health as well. They should not be used for any purpose in any method other than what is detailed on the packaging. Cats may discourage squirrels for a while, but they are not usually successful in capturing and killing adult squirrels.
Capsaicin powder is often mixed into wild bird seed as a taste repellant that burns their tongue, but they may actually develop a taste for this hot spice. According to Ohio University Extension office, there are no registered toxicants or fumigants that are available as a squirrel repellant. So we are back to purchasing the best squirrel live trap or making homemade traps for catching rodents.
Squirrel Deterrents
If you cannot afford a Havahart or other live trap for squirrels, and cannot create homemade squirrel traps, suggested squirrel deterrents may include outdoor cats or a quick dog. Other methods to make your property less attractive to squirrels involve altering their playing ground.
If you have large trees near the home – close enough to allow a squirrel to reach your rooftop – either remove the tree, cut off branches or wrap the trunk with metal sheeting to discourage climbing. You will need to provide adequate space between remaining trees to discourage jumping from one tree to the next.
Squirrels are excellent tight wire walkers also, and a length of lightweight plastic pipe placed over wires that attach to your home may put an end to their circus act. Always hire a professional to work with electrical wiring.
Squirrels Belong in Forests, Not Attics
Resources
- Squirrel Control | North Carolina Cooperative Extension
- Squirrelly Relatives: Backyard Nature
- TREE SQUIRRELS: icwdm.org
