What to Use Bait For a Live Trap Red Squirrel 
When it comes to what to use bait for a live trap, the options are endless. Some people use Peanut butter, others Fruit, Marshmallows, and even oranges. All of these things are safe and effective. Listed below are a few suggestions to keep your traps and your property pristine. Remember to use the door to the trap open and the trap should stay open at all times. The trap should not be closed after it has been set, and the door should always be left open.
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Peanut butter
In order to use peanut butter as bait for live trap red squirrels, you need to know what attracts this species and what it prefers. Fortunately, these animals are attracted to unsalted nuts and seeds, so they should be attracted to this type of bait. Squirrels will also prefer nuts and seeds from bird feeders. Peanut butter will also work as a bait, but you have to make sure that the nuts and seeds are unsalted or in their shells.
While there are a variety of baits available, peanut butter is probably the easiest to get your hands on. It is inexpensive and readily available at most stores, and it is not easily stolen out of the trap without activating it. Peanut butter also has the added benefit of not being toxic or unhealthy for the squirrel, so it’s a good choice for bait for a squirrel trap. Here are some other bait options:
Fruit
A live trap for catching a red squirrel requires a proper bait. This bait will lure the squirrel into the trap and encourage it to activate the trigger. The proper bait placement is crucial for a successful catch. The bait needs to be far enough from the trap wall for the squirrel to reach the bait with all of its body weight. The bait should also be placed at the end of the trap, directly behind the trigger plate.
The next best bait is fruit. Citrus fruits and apples are the best baits. Oranges are especially tempting as they are both sweet and have a pleasant smell. Other bait options include peanut butter and marshmallows. While fruits are an excellent bait for a live trap, peanut butter and raisins may be best avoided altogether. In some areas, peanut butter or other edible glue can attract the squirrels. If these methods are not effective, you should consider using a live trap instead.
Marshmallows
Using marshmallows as bait for live traps is an effective method for controlling the population of red squirrels in your yard. This method is simple and safe to use and it is recommended that you carry out the trapping in an area away from human settlements. Remember to use gloves while handling the captured animal. A large bag of un-salted peanut butter also works well as bait. You should make sure to buy unsalted peanuts and sunflower seeds so that you can attract the squirrels with the nut butter.
Another great bait for trapping squirrels is peanut butter. Peanut butter attracts squirrels the most. Other effective baits include oranges and acorns. These fruits have a strong smell and a tasty flavor. A large piece of bread or marshmallows is another great bait for a live trap. Marshmallows also serve as a tasty treat for the squirrels. If you want to avoid trapping squirrels, peanut butter is also a great bait alternative.
Oranges
One-way squirrel traps use orange slices as bait. Oranges are an ideal bait for these traps because they contain water. Oranges can be placed in cage traps that are placed on soffits or under soffit. To make trapping easier, place repeater traps on entry holes, so that you can check them at least twice a day. If you have a large building, you can also use orange slices as bait.
Aside from nuts, oranges are a great alternative to peanut butter. This sticky substance is very attractive to squirrels and can attract them within minutes. The second-best bait for a live trap is oranges, which have a pleasant smell and juicy constitution. Aside from oranges, peanut butter and marshmallows can also work as bait. They are both easy to obtain, and will attract the squirrels to your trap.
Pennington Ultra Waste Free Blend
Using the Pennington Ultra Waste Free Blend for live trapping is a safe and effective way to get rid of red squirrels. This mix contains a variety of fruit and nut blends that are crucial to the health and survival of these animals. The blend attracts a variety of native songbirds including Cardinals, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, and Juncos. The blend has an effective mix of essential nutrients and won’t harm the squirrels, ensuring that the trap will be the most successful way to catch them.
Fruit-flavored peanut butter
If you’re trying to capture a red squirrel, using fruit-flavored peanut butter as bait may work well. But you should be very careful when you set the trap. If you don’t place the trap in a location that the squirrel is likely to visit, the squirrel may die of heat exhaustion. Also, the bait needs to be placed in a place where the squirrel can easily spot it. If you place the bait in a hiding spot, the squirrel will not go for it.
Other than peanut butter, other food items that work well as squirrel bait include sunflower seeds and nuts. Peanuts and sunflower seeds should be in their shells. Peanut butter can be put inside the nutshells or on the outside. These types of foods will be the most appealing to squirrels. The best way to catch them is to figure out how to use them correctly. It’s important to remember that they have a highly-developed sense of smell. If you think that the squirrels will be attracted to the smell of human feces, try using a repellent like an electronic mouse or cat repeller instead.
How do you bait a live trap for a red squirrel?
Place a small amount of food such as peanut butter sunflower seeds or apple slices inside the trap.
What is the best live trap to use for a red squirrel?
A 10-inch by 12-inch by 32-inch live trap is the best size to use.
Where should you place the live trap?
Place the trap near where you see the squirrels frequenting or near their nest.
How often should you check the live trap?
Check the trap every few hours.
What should you do once you catch a red squirrel?
Take the squirrel at least five miles away from your home and release it in a wooded area.
What if there is not a wooded area within five miles of my home?
If there is not a wooded area within five miles of your home you can release the squirrel in your backyard.
Will a red squirrel chew through the live trap?
A red squirrel can chew through the live trap so it is important to check the trap regularly.
How long can a red squirrel live in a live trap?
A red squirrel can live in a live trap for up to 48 hours.
What happens if a red squirrel is in the live trap for more than 48 hours?
If a red squirrel is in the live trap for more than 48 hours it will die.
Is it legal to trap a red squirrel?
In most states it is legal to trap a red squirrel.
What do I need to do to be able to trap a red squirrel?
In most states you need a hunting or trapping license to trap a red squirrel.
How many red squirrels can I trap?
In most states there is a limit of 10 red squirrels that can be trapped per day.
What is the best time of year to trap a red squirrel?
The best time of year to trap a red squirrel is during the fall.
How can I tell if a red squirrel is sick?
Some signs that a red squirrel is sick are if it is lethargic has diarrhea or is not eating.
What should I do if I catch a sick red squirrel?
If you catch a sick red squirrel you should call your local wildlife rehabilitator.
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.
