Once you have caught the squirrel, the next step is to find a way to humanely euthanize it. It’s important to note that killing a squirrel should only be a last resort, and you should know the rules for your local area before doing it.
If you’re planning on using a trap, be sure to research the legalities of the method you’re using.
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Different Methods To Euthanizing A Squirrel
The first method is to use CO gas, which deprives the squirrel of oxygen and can take an hour to kill. Check for a pulse and you’ve got yourself a dead squirrel. If not, seek out help from a wildlife removal expert. This method will leave no trace of the animal, and you’ll be able to tell it’s dead.
Read Also: Are There Squirrels In Australia?
Regardless of the method, you decide on, you’ll need to euthanize the squirrel as quickly as possible. The best way to do this is to trap the squirrel in a cage. It’s best to use a trap that is made specifically for this purpose.
You should also prepare a chamber for the animal. If it’s an adult ground squirrel, you’ll need a chamber twice the size of the trap.
You can use a portable insulated cooler with a drain hole. It should not be airtight. Connect rubber tubing to the drain hole and connect the CO2 tank with a flow regulator. A window inside the chamber is helpful in the process and is highly recommended.
The last option is to use carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide, however, cannot be breathed by a squirrel, so you’ll have to be careful to follow the right procedures. Make sure you know the rules of your local animal control agency before euthanizing a squirrel in your yard.
In fact, you should be aware of the laws and regulations in your state. After euthanizing a squirrel, remember to check with local authorities. If you get arrested, your wildlife will have the last laugh.
Final Thoughts
When using the CO2 method, you’ll need to be very careful when euthanizing a squirrel. Although it may seem cruel to put your family at risk, it is not uncommon for a squirrel to become a nuisance in your home.
It can infest your home and infest your pet, which is why it’s so important to learn how to humanely euthanize a squirrel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you humanely kill a squirrel?
Captured squirrels should be humanely destroyed by guiding them to one end of the trap, where they can be killed with an air rifle, or the traps can be emptied into a sack and the squirrels dispatched through a swift, heavy blow to the head. Non-target species should be released immediately.
How do you humanely kill a grey squirrel?
The two recognized humane dispatch methods are firing a single shot to the back of the head or by cranial dispatch using no more than two blows to the head.
How long can a squirrel hold its breath if i try to drown it?
There have been several cases of squirrels being drowned on purpose by humans to perform experiments or get rid of them in recent times. It is said that soaking them underwater will cause their death within 30 seconds to 5 minutes approximately.
Is it humane to drown a squirrel?
Under the law, drowning squirrels is an illegal way of eliminating them.
How do you get rid of squirrels naturally?
Spread predator urine around your garden
Try sprinkling cayenne pepper, ground chili peppers, pepper flakes, and/or garlic pepper on and around your plants when they are ready to bloom.
Birds can’t taste capsaicin, so add some cayenne pepper to those bird feeders to deter squirrels.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
