How do I Rid My Attic of Pesky Squirrels?
When a squirrel gets into your attic, it can tear up wiring and items stored in the area. Squirrels also make annoying noises as they scurry around during the night hours. Professionals are available for squirrel removal; however, the cost of hiring a professional can take a significant chunk out of your wallet. With a few simple supplies, you can remove pesky squirrels from your attic yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Small live animal trap
- 1 tbsp. butter
- 10 sunflower seeds
- Heavy leather gloves
Instructions
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1
Buy or rent a small live animal trap from a hardware store. A sales associate should be able to show you how to set the trap. Different brands of live animal traps function differently; operation of the trap will vary depending on the brand the hardware store carries.
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2
Put 1 tbsp. of butter on the trap bait plate. Sprinkle the sunflower seeds on top of the butter. Squirrels love both of these ingredients, making them the perfect bait.
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3
Place the trap in the attic and set it. Carefully leave the area, being sure not to disturb the trap once set.
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4
Check the trap every 24 hours to see if you've caught a squirrel. Continue checking the trap until you've caught one.
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Put on heavy leather gloves and pick up the trap. Put the trap in your car and drive the squirrel away from your property. Do not release the squirrel into another neighborhood.
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Open the trap door and walk away from the trap to allow the squirrel to escape.
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Re-bait and set the trap until you've eliminated all of the squirrels from your attic.
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Tips & Warnings
Never touch a squirrel; they can carry dangerous mites and diseases such as rabies.
References
- Photo Credit squirrel image by Tanya McConnell from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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You failed to mention that before undertaking squirrel removal, the "trapper" needs to contact their state's department of natural resources to find out if: 1) relocation is legal in your state. 2) relocation by someone who is not licensed by the state is legal. 3) relocation to someone else's property without permission is legal in your state (we already know it's not ethical or humane). And since it is springtime, I should mention that you also haven't addressed the problem with juvenile squirrels which may not be old enough to walk, much less eat solid food or get caught in a trap. How does the DIY'er plan to deal with that? Or should I just wait for the phone call to come do a dead animal removal and deodorizing project? That usually costs more than hiring a pro to take 'em out alive from the start.
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Don't put a trap in the attic for squirrels! It adds the smell of food and attracts more squirrels! Instead take the traps out and put evictor strobe lights in. The squirrels will leave in a few days and you don't have to deal with live animals.
