How to Deal With a Squirrel Trapped in Your Home 
If you’ve got a squirrel trapped in your home, you probably have several options for getting rid of it. While it’s not the best option for every situation, there are a few steps you can take to prevent the animal from coming back. Read on for tips on how to handle a squirrel trapped in your home. You can also use a Live-catch or exclusion trap. Drowning is not an approved method of euthanasia.
Live-catch traps
Squirrels are eight to twenty inches long and weigh less than two pounds. They communicate through noises and are active during the day. You can locate squirrels by identifying their favorite places to hide. It is also a good idea to purchase live-catch traps with bait. Once you’ve set up your trap, you can bait it with peanut butter, popcorn, bread, or sunflower seeds.
To set a live-catch trap for squirrels, you will need to secure it with a heavy object. Make sure the bait is fresh. If the trap is too large, the squirrel may jump out and try to escape. You must be careful when setting up the trap and never touch the platform to avoid spooking the squirrels. Also, keep in mind that squirrels can sometimes be very hard to spot so be sure to check from a distance to ensure the trap is unharmed. Then, clean the trap with a bleach solution and wait at least 20 minutes before wiping it down again.
Exclusion traps
When installing an exclusion trap for squirrels, you will want to make sure that it is one that can prevent re-entry. One way doors are designed so that the animal cannot chew back into the structure. These devices are commercially available and can be installed right next to the entrance hole. You must permanently repair any holes in the structure that the animal may use to enter. One-way doors are the most effective because they keep the squirrel from returning.
You can purchase exclusion traps for squirrels for indoors or outdoors. While these traps may be a bit more expensive, they do save you money. If the squirrels aren’t old enough to leave the nest, they can be killed with the trap. Also, make sure that you purchase the correct trap for the size and species of the squirrels. You don’t want to harm a young squirrel or kill the mother.
Drowning
A lawsuit filed in Washington state focuses on the humane dispatch of a squirrel trapped on a residential property. While freezing and drowning are more traditional methods of wildlife control, both methods are not completely painless. The air gun’s pellets can deflect off the ground or wire mesh. Blood in the trap can also deter other animals from entering. Squirrel pox disease can also be transferred from one animal to another. Squirrel trapped and drowning are not considered humane means of dispatch.
The act is in place to protect animals under human control, including squirrels. The law prohibits causing unnecessary suffering to animals. Squirrels trapped and drowned do not qualify as livestock. A squirrel that drowns will die, and the animal welfare act covers all wildlife under human control. It is illegal to use traps or cages to kill or entrap an animal. If you must use a trap, make sure that it is heavy duty, rat-sized, and has a latch on the bottom.
Drowning is not an approved method of euthanasia
When it comes to euthanasia for squirrels, drowning is an option, but it’s illegal in California. While drowning is not the recommended method of euthanasia for squirrels, some euthanasia methods, such as carbon dioxide, are legal. A small portable insulated cooler with a drain hole and a CO2 tank with a flow regulator is a good choice for this purpose. If possible, have a window installed inside the chamber.
If the animal is in distress, a person authorized to take it must not use drowning as a method of euthanasia. The American Veterinary Medical Association has said that this method is not humane and must be performed according to veterinarian recommendations. The Whatcom County animal control officer filed a separate lawsuit in Benton County, but the case is related. In the case of the Fairhaven squirrel, the animal control officer had allegedly told the woman that drowning the animals would be safe.
Releasing a squirrel
Releasing a squirrel trapped in a trap is not always an easy task. The animal might injure itself trying to escape, it may also suffer from dehydration or starvation, and it will face harassment from other squirrels and humans. Besides, trapping only solves the problem temporarily and doesn’t offer a permanent solution. As the squirrel will probably return to its home territory, it might even die due to stress or starvation.
When releasing a squirrel trapped in a trap, it is important to remove the squirrel’s food source. Squirrels may be enticed by the bait, which is peanut butter or cereal. Afterward, it is important to check the trap daily and remove competing food sources. In addition, the homeowner must empty the trash bin and store pet food inside it as soon as possible. If a bird feeder is also present, it must be cleaned out of excess bird seed.
How do you humanely trap a squirrel?
Answer 1: You will need to purchase a live trap from a hardware or feed store.
Bait the trap with peanuts sunflower seeds or corn.
Place the trap along a wall in the squirrel’s activity area.
Once the squirrel is caught release it at least five miles from your home.
What kind of damage can squirrels do to your home?
Answer 2: Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to your home.
They can chew through wires and insulation which can start fires.
They can also chew through wood and siding which can weaken the structure of your home.
How do you get rid of squirrels in your attic?
Answer 3: The best way to get rid of squirrels in your attic is to trap them and release them far away from your home.
You can also use a one-way door to let them out but make sure all the squirrels are gone before you seal up the door.
What is the best way to keep squirrels away from your home?
Answer 4: The best way to keep squirrels away from your home is to remove anything they might find attractive such as food sources and nesting materials.
You can also seal up any holes or cracks they might use to get inside.
How do you deter squirrels from your yard?
Answer 5: You can deter squirrels from your yard by making it less inviting to them.
Remove any food sources such as bird feeders and keep your trash cans sealed.
You can also trim back trees and shrubs so they can’t use them to jump onto your roof.
What is the most common type of squirrel in the US?
Answer 6: The most common type of squirrel in the US is the Eastern Gray Squirrel.
They are found in the eastern half of the country from Maine to Florida and west to Ohio and Texas.
What do squirrels eat?
Answer 7: Squirrels are mostly herbivores and their diet consists of nuts fruits and vegetables.
However they will also eat small animals such as birds and mice.
How long do squirrels live?
Answer 8: The average lifespan of a squirrel is 5-10 years but some have been known to live up to 20 years in captivity.
How many types of squirrels are there?
Answer 9: There are more than 200 types of squirrels in the world.
They are found on every continent except Antarctica.
What is the smallest type of squirrel?
Answer 10: The smallest type of squirrel is the African Pygmy Squirrel.
They weigh less than an ounce and are only 5-6 inches long.
What is the largest type of squirrel?
Answer 11: The largest type of squirrel is the Indian Giant Squirrel.
They can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh up to 20 pounds.
Do squirrels hibernate?
Answer 12: Some species of squirrels do hibernate but others do not.
Gray squirrels and red squirrels typically do not hibernate while ground squirrels and flying squirrels do.
What is the primary predators of squirrels?
Answer 13: The primary predators of squirrels are birds of prey such as hawks and owls.
They will also be hunted by coyotes foxes and weasels.
Do squirrels carry rabies?
Answer 14: Squirrels very rarely carry rabies but it is possible.
If you are bitten by a squirrel you should seek medical attention immediately.
What is the best way to avoid getting bitten by a squirrel?
Answer 15: The best way to avoid getting bitten by a squirrel is to avoid handling them.
If you must handle them wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.
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.
