How to Catch a Flying Squirrel in Your House
Attics are strong temptations to squirrels when they are searching for a new dwelling place. If there are bird feeders and birdseed around, all the better. Although squirrels are cute little creatures, they can do a lot of damage to your property, and they carry fleas and ticks that put your pets in harm's way. The best method for catching and removing a flying squirrel is a live trap. Squirrels are naturally curious and are easily led into a trap when it is properly baited with the right squirrel delicacies. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Make it difficult for flying squirrels to enter your house. Flying squirrels like to set up home in the attic, and they can also chew their way into the house through the ceiling. Before setting up a trap, take preventive measures, such as trimming tree lines that hang over the roof, putting guards on the gutters and repairing holes and cracks in the attic or the eaves. Also remove temptations such as birdseed. You may get lucky, and perhaps the flying squirrel is outside when you close off his entry points. But if he is still in the attic, he will have little choice but to go into the trap.
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Buy a Havahart live squirrel trap. Read the instructions and learn how to operate the trap door. The trap measures 18x5x5 inches and has a single automatic locking door. You can find information about the traps online at the Havahart website. Home Depot sells the traps, or you can borrow them from your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
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Place the trap where you see or hear the most squirrel activity. If it is possible, walk around in your attic and look for squirrel droppings, paying attention to insulated areas. There are a few different options for baiting the trap, such as crackers, a piece of fruit, peanut butter and sunflower seeds. A good strategy is to scatter the sunflower seeds around and make a trail leading into the trap. Check the trap every couple of hours to see whether you have caught the squirrel.
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Make arrangements to relocate the squirrel. Have the plans in order before you set up the trap. It is a good idea to free the flying squirrel as soon as possible. Once the squirrel has been trapped in the cage, place a towel over the cage to obstruct the squirrel's vision. This makes things less hectic for you and the squirrel.
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Take the squirrel to his new surroundings and set him free. A wooded area is ideal. Open the door and stand back. Flying squirrels are beautiful to watch glide through the air. He will be happy to get out of the cage, and you will be happy not to worry about him dwelling in the attic.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands when the squirrel is inside the trap.
