Whether in rural areas or busy metropolitan cities, squirrels are commonly encountered by homeowners. These agile animals are notorious for damaging property, gnawing on electrical wires, or wreaking havoc in gardens and bird feeders. As a result, it becomes necessary to remove them, but in doing so, it’s crucial to ensure their safety by using humane methods. Trapping squirrels humanely involves providing a suitable trap, placing it strategically, and handling the trapped squirrels in kindly manner for relocation.
To start with, selecting the right squirrel trap is essential. Live cage traps have proven to be the most humane and effective solution. These are usually metal cages with one-way doors. When the squirrel enters the trap to get to the bait, the door closes behind them – trapping them without causing any harm. Traps come in various sizes but most squirrels can be comfortably accommodated in a 16-inch-long and 5-inch-high trap. The setting process is simple and usually involves pull back mechanism that can be easily set up following the manufacturer’s instructions. Emphasize on a live cage trap that’s strong, durable, and rust-resistant to ensure its effectiveness and safety.
Choosing the right bait can be an integral part of your success. Squirrels are particularly fond of nuts and seeds due to their high-fat content. Peanut butter serves as an enticing and effective bait too and can be smeared on the trap pan. If the squirrel issue is concentrated in your garden, bait the trap with the same food that’s been attracting them. Besides the bait, placement of the trap also plays a crucial role. Setting the trap in an area where you have noticed a high squirrel activity or near their nesting site increases your chances of trapping one. Make sure that the traps are only set during the daytime when squirrels are active, as trapping them at night may inadvertently catch non-target species.
Once a squirrel is successfully trapped, the humane process continues with the handling and relocation of the squirrel. Handling a trap with a captured squirrel requires caution not to scare or harm it. It is advisable to cover the cage with a cloth to calm the squirrel, avoid direct handling, and wear protective gloves to protect oneself from injury or disease the squirrel may carry. When it comes to release, select a suitable spot at least 2-3 miles away from your home to prevent its return. Make sure to release them in a wooded area where they can find immediate shelter. Remember to keep the humane process until the last step, open the cage and let the squirrel exit at its own pace instead of forcing it out.
While we may occasionally need to control the population of squirrels in our space, it is firm and necessary to endeavor for a procedure that ensures their safety and respects their life. Trapping may not be a permanent solution since it does not address the root cause of why squirrels may be drawn to your space. To have long-term success, consider squirrel-proofing your home and property, like securing the trash cans and limiting access to food sources. Squirrels play a vital ecological role, such as aiding in forest regeneration, thus should be dealt with compassionately and humanely.
Yum, that bug was good
By LollypopFarm on 2008-09-11 15:16:48