How to Get Rid of Squirrels in Between Floors
Squirrels can be amusing to watch as they play in the yard, but they're not quite so cute when they get into your home. Squirrels are notorious for finding their way into houses, particularly in levels between floors, such as your attic or even your crawlspace. The danger from these rodents is that they can destroy your house's insulation, chew through wires and cables and leave urine and fecal droppings everywhere. The best way to handle squirrels is to use a live trap and catch them.
Find where the squirrels are gaining entrance to your home. The two main spots between floors that you are likely to find squirrels are in the crawlspace or cellar, and in the attic. Check around the outside of the house for holes or openings in these spots.
- Squirrels can be amusing to watch as they play in the yard, but they're not quite so cute when they get into your home.
- The two main spots between floors that you are likely to find squirrels are in the crawlspace or cellar, and in the attic.
Go inside the area and look for signs of squirrel activity near the entrance holes. Observe any balled or torn up insulation, fecal droppings and food scraps. This area is where you will want to set your live trap.
Place a live trap in the area of squirrel activity. If you are using traps around a crawlspace or cellar, place a live trap outside the squirrel entrance on the ground, as well as inside the house.
Bait the trap. Place a small piece of fruit in the very back of the trap. Smear a glob of peanut butter on the main trigger platform of the trap. Sprinkle some sunflower seeds on the peanut butter, and make a small trail of seeds that leads to the opening of the trap. The squirrels will be more likely to enter the trap fully once they have eaten a few seeds before reaching the trigger platform. Set the trap.
- Go inside the area and look for signs of squirrel activity near the entrance holes.
- If you are using traps around a crawlspace or cellar, place a live trap outside the squirrel entrance on the ground, as well as inside the house.
Let the trap sit undisturbed overnight, and then check it first thing in the morning. If you've caught a squirrel, call your local animal control department or a local exterminator to see if they will come get the squirrel. If they will not, you can drive the squirrel to a wooded area 5 to 10 miles from your home and release it.
Tip
Call your local animal control department or a local animal shelter to see if you can borrow a live trap. This can be helpful if you do not wish to buy a trap only to use it one time.
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References
Tips
- Call your local animal control department or a local animal shelter to see if you can borrow a live trap. This can be helpful if you do not wish to buy a trap only to use it one time.
