Squirrels look harmless but they can wreck havoc on your yard and property. Setting a squirrel trap is one of the common non-lethal squirrel removal methods in Canada and is fairly easy to do yourself.

The first step is to select a trap that is large enough to guarantee the entire squirrel fits in the cage before triggering the door. You may choose 1 door or 2 door traps. Some people prefer two door traps because cautious animals may be more willing to enter the cage if they can see through the opposite end. The double entry points may also increase the chances of catching a squirrel.

Next, determine the area of frequent squirrel activity. Common areas include near a damaged wall, at the base of a tree where you have spotted squirrels previously, in front of an entryway or along the wall in crawlspaces, shed or attic. Set the trap on a flat and sturdy surface.

Choose bait that a squirrel can’t fit through the cage bars. These animals are very intelligent and may attempt to steal the bait from outside the cage. The idea is to ensure that the squirrel enters the trap and walks over the trigger plate to close the trap door. Spreading peanut butter on the trigger plate or placing unshelled peanuts behind the trigger plate works well.

Finally, follow the trap’s user manual to set it and check the trap every two hours or so. Squirrels get anxious, hungry and thirsty in a relatively short time so it is inhumane to leave the animal trapped for extended periods of time. Handle the cage with care once you have caught a squirrel. These animals carry disease including rabies and may become aggressive once trapped.

Call Wildlife Removal Professionals Instead

Setting the trap is straightforward but there are many issues that most homeowners who choose trapping overlook.

First, there is every chance that you could catch other curious animals in the trap such as stray cats.

Squirrels also breed between March and April and again between July and August. It is not advisable to set a trap around this time because there is a good chance you will separate a mother from its babies. Young squirrels that cannot fend for themselves die of starvation if you trap and/or relocate the mother.

There are strict wildlife laws in Canada prohibiting injuring, killing or transporting squirrels for more than 1 kilometer without a permit. A cage that is too small may strangle or injure the squirrel. Leaving a trapped squirrel out in the open exposes it to large dogs and other predators.

Hire a wildlife removal company to handle your squirrel problem. These experts typically install one-way doors to let the squirrels out of their nests but prevent them from returning. The expert will also check for baby squirrels and take the necessary measures.

Lastly, only an expert can guarantee that your wildlife problem is solved permanently by cleaning out the nest and sealing entry points such as chimneys, ventilation pipes, drip edges, roof vents and soffits among others. Wildlife Shield offers professional wild life solutions to all urban wildlife problems. Call us now: 647-560-3988.