What to Do With a Squirrel I Trapped 
If you’ve ever had a squirrel infestation, you may be wondering “what to do with a squirrel i trapped?” You can release it into a nearby wooded area, keep a baby squirrel as a pet, or trap it and release it into a wild area. If you have a baby squirrel and no plan to release it, you can keep it inside your attic for the time being.
Table of Contents
Release a squirrel in a wooded area
If you’ve ever trapped a squirrel in the woods, you’re probably wondering how to release it. Though it’s illegal in most jurisdictions, the main reason for releasing a squirrel is to prevent the spread of parasites and diseases. Despite the dangers, few people have been prosecuted for squirrel-releasing, and warnings are much more common.
Keeping a mother squirrel as a pet
You’ve caught a baby squirrel. Now what? First, don’t feed it. This can cause irreversible damage. If you’re tempted to try and raise it, don’t do it. Instead, take it to a wildlife rehabilitator to get the proper care it needs. You’ll get a better chance of rescuing it later.
Keeping a baby squirrel as a pet
There are many advantages to keeping a baby squirrel as a pet. You can make it an indoor pet in your home, and you can even train it to follow your commands. If you’ve got a trap, you may want to take it outside for some fresh air. The first few weeks of captivity are also the best time to learn about proper feeding, as squirrels are opportunistic feeders.
Keeping a mother squirrel out of the attic
If you are having trouble with a stray squirrel in your attic, you may want to keep a mother out of the area. During the winter, many adult squirrels nest communally in attics. Locking out the mother may leave other squirrels in the attic to starve and die, making it difficult to get rid of the dead animals. To keep the mother out, use a steel rod to close the hole.
Trapping a squirrel in a snare pole
To trap a squirrel in a snarl, you must set the snare in a tree near a large concentration of squirrels. You can determine this by observing their middens – a mound of table scraps. You can also locate them by checking the piles of husked and shelled pine or spruce cones left by them. The larger these piles are, the more active the squirrels are in that area.
Using a snare pole
The first step to using a snare pole to trap the squirrel is to make a snare by cutting a length of steel wire about 50 to 80 cm long and extending it at least 16 inches from the ground. Once the wire is long enough, attach a bait, such as sunflower seeds or nuts, and then place the pole between two trees. The squirrel will be lured into the trap by the bait and fall through the snares.
Using a sack
You can use a sack to trap a squirrel in your yard. To do this, place the squirrel in one corner of the sack, and close the opening with your foot or a fishing priest. Make sure the squirrel is not covered with tail, and that there is no extra sacking. Then, swing a heavy stick at the squirrel’s back, striking it in the head with a force that fractures the skull.
Finding the best bait for a snare pole
Squirrels can do a lot of damage to your garden or home, and they often carry disease as well. These creatures are naturally found in forests, but they’ve managed to thrive in many urban and suburban areas. As a result, you may want to find a way to kill them. Snares are a very effective way to do that.
Keeping a mother squirrel out of a snare pole
Getting a live squirrel out of a chimney is not an easy task. Squirrels can become aggressive when they’re frightened, and they may assume predatory roles. Luckily, a snare pole style trap will capture a live squirrel, and you can transport it to the wild using a specialized cage. To make sure that your captured animal survives, you should wear gloves. If possible, purchase a bucket with a lid or a plastic container with a lid.
How do I know if the squirrel I trapped is healthy?
Check for these signs of a healthy squirrel: bright eyes clean fur and a tail that is not brittle.
Is it legal to trap a squirrel in my state?
Check your state’s wildlife regulations as trapping laws vary by state.
What is the best type of trap to use to catch a squirrel?
A live trap is the best type of trap to use as it will not harm the squirrel.
What do I need to do to set up a live trap?
Bait the trap with food that squirrels like such as seeds nuts or peanut butter.
Place the trap in an area where you have seen squirrels active.
How long do I need to leave the trap set up for?
Check the trap every few hours.
If you have caught a squirrel remove it from the trap as soon as possible.
What do I do if I have caught a squirrel in my trap?
If the squirrel is healthy release it in a nearby park or forest.
If the squirrel is injured contact a wildlife rehabilitation center.
My trap didn’t catch any squirrels.
What could I be doing wrong?
Make sure that the trap is baited with food that squirrels like.
Also check to see if the trap is being placed in an area where squirrels are active.
I don’t want to release the squirrel I caught.
Can I keep it as a pet?
No you cannot keep the squirrel as a pet.
Will a squirrel bite me if I try to catch it?
Squirrels can bite so it is important to be careful when handling them.
Wear gloves when setting up the trap and releasing the squirrel.
I found a baby squirrel.
What should I do?
If the baby squirrel is healthy leave it where you found it.
The mother will come back for it.
If the baby squirrel is injured contact a wildlife rehabilitation center.
How can I tell if a squirrel is sick?
Signs of a sick squirrel include: lethargy diarrhea and fur that is matted or missing.
I think there is a squirrel living in my attic.
How do I get it out?
Squirrels can cause damage to your home so it is important to get them out as soon as possible.
Contact a wildlife control company to have the squirrel removed.
There is a squirrel in my yard and I don’t want it there.
What can I do to get rid of it?
If the squirrel is causing damage to your property you can contact a wildlife control company to have it removed.
I hit a squirrel with my car.
What should I do?
If the squirrel is injured contact a wildlife rehabilitation center.
If the squirrel is dead dispose of it in the trash.
I found a dead squirrel in my yard.
What could have killed it?
A number of things can kill a squirrel including: predators cars and disease.
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.
