Author Topic: Squirrel removal  (Read 5640 times)

poko

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Squirrel removal
« on: March 12, 2012, 03:30:02 PM »
So, we have a squirrel in our attic. I have an idea about how it got in there. My plan was to borrow a live trap (or craigslist one) trap the squirrel, then seal up what I think was his entry point.

But, now I've done a bit of reading online and there's a risk of the squirrel having had babies since it's spring time. Would there be a good way to check this? Should I be calling in the pros at this point? (My husband seems to think so). We did have a possum in our crawlspace about a year ago, and had a pro come get him out, do an inspection, & he fixed some entry points around the house -- I haven't looked yet to see if maybe we are covered with some kind of warranty from that previous work.

MsLogica

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2012, 05:16:07 AM »
Whereabouts in the world are you?  In the UK you won't be able to release the squirrel if you catch it as it's against the law (they're an invasive species), so you'd be better off getting a pro in unless you're willing to bonk it on the head yourself.  Same would go for any babies, I'm afraid!

poko

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2012, 11:09:12 AM »
I'm in Austin, TX. Not sure of any laws here regarding squirrel removal ...

Right now, our plan is to seal up the entry hole while the squirrel is out for the day -- this way we don't have to deal with a trap, either.

Of course, we're going to go up into the attic to verify that it's not in there/not had any babies and clean up any droppings, etc before we seal it. My thinking is that if there is a nest with little ones then we can call in the pros.

Parizade

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2012, 05:39:12 PM »
Don't you have animal control officers to handle that sort of thing? Why pay a pro when you are already paying taxes for this service?

ultrarunner

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2012, 09:46:54 PM »
I had a couple in my attic... a vent had blown off in a windstorm and they were getting in that way.  I used a live trap then killed them.  Peanut butter on apples worked well to bait them.

Check your wildlife laws.  In Colorado, I could release it in my yard but not transport it, which made releasing it mostly useless.  I tried that twice but they tore up a soffit and got back in... so the next time I just killed them, which is the only other legal means to get rid of them here (nuisance wildlife causing damage law).  If you have a small game license, you can also eat them... but my wife had a hang up about eating "suburban squirrel". 

Mrs MM

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2012, 09:48:25 PM »
I didn't read the other replies (sorry, not much time), but we had this happen.

Usually the squirrel left the attic during the day, so MMM went up there when he was pretty sure the squirrel was gone to check for nests and babies, etc.  Then, he climbed up a ladder to the roof and found the spot where the squirrel had entered and he plugged it up with some metal and I think some foam insulation.

Actually, he discovered the hole first, got the supplies, checked the attic, and then plugged up the hole.  :)

Good luck!  Hearing that squirrel scampering about in the attic every night always freaked me out!

poko

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2012, 01:12:23 PM »
That's exactly what we did this weekend, Mrs. MM! A friend of mine said we should have sat out there in the evening with martinis and watch him try to get back in.

So far, no more scampering has been heard! It was very disconcerting to hear him up there, especially when we didn't know what it was at first. Knowing that it was a squirrel was a lot less traumatizing than, say, a possum, though.

The Money Monk

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2012, 09:35:00 AM »
I had a couple in my attic... a vent had blown off in a windstorm and they were getting in that way.  I used a live trap then killed them.  Peanut butter on apples worked well to bait them.

Check your wildlife laws.  In Colorado, I could release it in my yard but not transport it, which made releasing it mostly useless.  I tried that twice but they tore up a soffit and got back in... so the next time I just killed them, which is the only other legal means to get rid of them here (nuisance wildlife causing damage law).  If you have a small game license, you can also eat them... but my wife had a hang up about eating "suburban squirrel".

hahah 'laws'.

how cute.

ultrarunner

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2012, 10:05:32 AM »

Mrs MM

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Re: Squirrel removal
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2012, 01:58:56 PM »
That's exactly what we did this weekend, Mrs. MM! A friend of mine said we should have sat out there in the evening with martinis and watch him try to get back in.

So far, no more scampering has been heard! It was very disconcerting to hear him up there, especially when we didn't know what it was at first. Knowing that it was a squirrel was a lot less traumatizing than, say, a possum, though.

Yay!!  Glad you figured it out! 

 

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