Picture this: you’re sitting in your living room, enjoying a peaceful afternoon, when you spot a squirrel darting across the fence, headed straight for your bird feeder. You’ve caught them red-handed—again! These cheeky little creatures can be adorable from a distance, but when they start raiding your bird feeders, nesting in your attic, or causing havoc in your garden, it’s time to take action.
Now, you could call in a professional pest control service, but did you know you can tackle the problem yourself with a DIY squirrel trap? It’s not only a cost-effective solution, but it also puts you in control of the materials and methods used. In this post, we’re going to explore different types of squirrel traps you can build right at home, giving you the power to humanely and efficiently handle the situation on your own terms.
Understanding Squirrel Behavior (Why This Matters)
Before diving into the world of DIY squirrel traps, it’s important to understand the little critters you’re dealing with. Squirrels are clever and quick, with a sharp sense of smell and a tendency to follow the same routes over and over. They are opportunistic feeders, drawn to anything that smells tasty—think nuts, seeds, and fruits. Knowing their favorite foods will help you choose the best bait for your traps.
In addition to their food preferences, squirrels are also creatures of habit. They follow the same travel paths along fences, tree branches, and even power lines, so positioning your traps along these routes is key. When it comes to nesting, squirrels prefer quiet, hidden spots like attics or hollow tree cavities. By learning their behaviors, you can set up traps where they’re most likely to wander, ensuring a higher success rate in capturing them.
Types of Homemade Squirrel Traps
A. Live Traps (Most Humane Option)
1. The Classic Box Trap
If you’re looking for a straightforward, humane solution, the classic box trap is the way to go. This simple yet effective design allows you to catch squirrels without harming them. Here’s how to build one:
- Materials Needed: Wood, mesh wire, hinges, a latch, and a trip plate or treadle.
- Construction Instructions: Cut your wood into four panels to create a box, and then attach the mesh wire around the sides. Add a door on one end that swings inward, and install the latch on the opposite end.
- Trigger Mechanism: The trip plate or treadle is the key! Place the plate inside the trap, connected to the door so that when the squirrel steps on it, the door closes behind them.
For bait, spread peanut butter on the trip plate or place a handful of nuts near the trigger to lure the squirrel in. The best placement for this trap? Near the squirrel’s usual travel routes, like along fences or close to bird feeders.
2. The Wire Mesh Cylinder Trap
Another humane option is the wire mesh cylinder trap, which works by encouraging squirrels to enter but not easily turn around inside. Here’s how you can make it:
- Materials Needed: Wire mesh, end caps, hanging wire.
- Construction Steps: Form a cylinder with the wire mesh and secure the ends with the caps. Leave one open end for the squirrel to enter and secure a trigger mechanism at the other end to trap it.
- Bait Placement: Place bait such as seeds or nuts inside the cylinder, ensuring it’s positioned near the trap’s opening.
The beauty of this design is that the squirrel enters easily, but once inside, it can’t easily backtrack, allowing you to capture it humanely.
B. One-Way Door Traps (Less Common for Home Use, but Can Be Effective)
While one-way door traps aren’t as commonly used for home DIY solutions, they can still be a great option for some. This type of trap features a door that swings open when the squirrel enters, but it locks behind them, preventing escape. You can either build this type yourself or find kits and blueprints online.
However, it’s essential to check these traps frequently. A trapped squirrel will be stressed and hungry, so you want to ensure you don’t leave it in the trap for too long.
C. Avoid Harmful Traps
While it’s tempting to use glue traps or snap traps because of their low cost and availability, these are not humane methods. Glue traps cause immense suffering and make it incredibly difficult to remove the animal. Snap traps may be quicker, but they also pose significant risks to the squirrel and other wildlife.
Instead of using these harmful traps, stick to live traps, which will allow you to catch and relocate the squirrel without inflicting harm. It’s a more ethical and practical solution for everyone involved.
Baiting and Placement Strategies (Maximizing Success)
Bait Selection
When it comes to baiting your traps, it’s all about offering something irresistible. Squirrels love foods like peanut butter, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, and even apple slices. For the best results, secure the bait to the trap’s trigger mechanism. This ensures the squirrel has to interact with the trigger in order to get to the food, activating the trap.
The key to effective baiting is to think like a squirrel—what would tempt them the most? And once you have your bait ready, don’t forget to test it out in different positions inside the trap to see which setup works best!
Trap Placement
Where you place your trap is just as important as the bait you use. Think about where squirrels typically travel and where they’re most likely to find your trap. Ideal locations include along fence lines, near bird feeders, and at the base of trees or entry points to attics.
You’ll also want to consider the temperature when placing your traps. If it’s a hot day, place the trap in a shaded area to avoid causing stress or harm to the trapped squirrel. This ensures a safer and more comfortable experience for the little critter.
Handling and Relocation (Responsible Practices)
Safe Handling
If you’ve caught a squirrel, your next step is to handle it with care. Always wear gloves to protect yourself from bites and scratches. Approach the trap calmly, and avoid making sudden movements that could stress the squirrel further.
Once you have the trap, transport the squirrel to a quiet, secluded location for release. Do so as gently and quickly as possible, ensuring minimal stress to the animal.
Relocation Guidelines
When relocating a squirrel, always release it far from your property—at least five miles away. This ensures that the squirrel won’t just return to the same spot. Find a habitat with plenty of trees, food, and shelter for the squirrel to thrive in. Also, check local regulations regarding wildlife relocation to ensure you’re complying with any legal requirements.
Prevention (Long-Term Solutions)
While trapping is an excellent short-term solution, you also want to make sure squirrels don’t return in the future. Here are a few preventive measures:
- Secure your garbage cans to avoid attracting squirrels with food scraps.
- Trim tree branches that might give squirrels easy access to your roof.
- Use squirrel-proof bird feeders to discourage squirrels from raiding your bird seed.
- Seal up any entry points to your attic or other structures where squirrels might try to nest.
Taking these steps will help ensure that you don’t have to deal with squirrel problems down the line.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building your own squirrel traps is a cost-effective and humane way to handle pesky squirrel problems. From box traps to wire mesh cylinders, these DIY solutions allow you to capture and relocate squirrels safely. Remember to use the right bait, place your traps strategically, and handle the critters responsibly.
We’d love to hear your thoughts—have you tried any of these methods, or do you have a favorite squirrel trapping tip? Leave a comment below, share this post with your friends, and don’t forget to subscribe for more wildlife-friendly DIY tips!