Where Can I Bring a Live Trapped Squirrel Home From the Wild? 
If you’ve ever caught a live squirrel, you know that it can be a difficult and painful process. While you can try to remove the animal, this is not a humane option. Squirrels often nest in our homes and we have to deal with them because they know we provide a safe haven and reliable food. Here’s how to avoid the problem:
Relocation of squirrels is legal
The province of Ontario prohibits the relocation of wild animals and squirrels, and the practice is prohibited. This practice puts the squirrels at a huge disadvantage in their new environment and is likely to cause them a lot of stress. In addition to a dismal survival rate, relocated wildlife often has to contend with territorial disputes and hostility from the local wildlife. Therefore, if you’re considering relocating a squirrel, consider all of the possible negative effects of this practice before deciding to do it.
If you’re considering trapping or killing a squirrel, it’s important to know that this is an option only for temporary problems. Eventually, other animals will replace the squirrels that are removed. Squirrel trapping is often done outside of the breeding season when there is an abundance of food. In this case, it’s best to relocate the animal before the opening of the trapping season. However, if your removal process is done before the opening of the season, you can do it yourself.
Humane traps are inhumane
Canadians for Animal Protection have fought to stop the sale of glue-filled squirrel traps, citing humane standards and the suffering these animals experience. The organization took the six largest Canadian home improvement retailers to court, arguing that these traps are cruel to animals and should be banned. The groups have found that glue traps cause unnecessary pain and suffering to small mammals, and they can even harm birds, bats, and fox cubs.
Steel-jaw traps are particularly cruel, causing unintended victims to die in the process. Many organizations and governments have banned these traps. Many of these traps are indiscriminate, resulting in thousands of nontarget animals being killed. These animals suffer excruciating pain and dehydration. Additionally, they often die slowly from the trauma. This article outlines several reasons why squirrel traps are inhumane.
Getting rid of a mother squirrel doesn’t work
If your pet is nesting in a tree, getting rid of a mother squirrel is not the best way to deal with it. If you have seen a baby squirrel falling from its nest, you’re probably not alone. There are many other ways to get rid of a mother squirrel. You can try to trap it in another tree or remove it from your yard by cutting off its nesting tree’s branches. If the baby squirrels are in danger of harming humans, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
If you’ve tried to trap the mother squirrel, she will usually leave the baby alone for several hours. When she returns, she will look for food and will likely go find another nest. If you’re really desperate, you can play the distress calls and wait for her to return. If the mother does return, you’ll need to remove the babies from the nest before the mother can find them again.
Keeping a mother squirrel out of trash cans
If you are bringing a live trapped squirrel home from the wild, be sure to clean the trash can first to avoid attracting the mother. A mother squirrel will often feed her babies in trash cans, so try to keep her away from the trash. Make sure to wear Kevlar gloves, preferably rated for animal handling. If possible, keep the trapped squirrel at least 24 hours away from human contact.
If you can, keep the trash cans free of debris, such as empty soda cans and aluminum cans. Squirrels are attracted to garbage and can use these for nests. It’s important to keep any trash containers or garbage out of reach of the squirrel. It’s a good idea to store all the food in secure containers, such as plastic bags.
Keeping a mother squirrel out of a cage trap
The first step to keeping a mother squirrel out of a cage is to locate the baby. Often, we don’t see baby squirrels until they are fully grown and running around. When this happens, it can be a challenge to remove the babies. To prevent this from happening, try to catch them at an early age, before they reach the full adult size. If you do catch them, they will most likely remain in the cage until they are at least 12 weeks old.
Relocating the squirrel is not a humane option. Most mother squirrels abandon their babies when they are relocated. The stress of fleeing and starvation are fatal. Insufficient distances often result in squirrels returning home malnourished and missing parts. If the mother squirrel is already dead, she is unlikely to follow you in your efforts to rescue her baby. So, how do you keep a mother squirrel out of a cage trap?
Getting rid of a mother squirrel without a depredation permit
There are a few options available for homeowners who want to get rid of a mother squirrel. Live-trapping is one of them, but it can be dangerous and raise safety concerns for homeowners. Live-trapping isn’t the best solution for your local problem, and few squirrels survive. When caught, the animals will likely move back into the same area. You may have to obtain a depredation permit to legally remove the mother squirrel from a home.
The main DEC webpage is a great place to start your search. This webpage is devoted to educating residents about wildlife issues, including pest animals. It also includes links to multiple useful resources. It’s important to understand the law and how it applies to your situation before taking on a squirrel problem. While it is illegal to kill or harm a squirrel in the wild, you can euthanize it legally if necessary.
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.
