Squirrels

[YellowHammer]

We used to catch squirrels by putting a few peanuts or pecans near their nest and letting them eat them.  Then, when they get used to the free handouts, throw a few into the back of a live trap.  As they hop over the trigger they will sooner or later trip it.  It's a pretty low key approach to catching them.  

I've nothing against critters, but when they start popping and peeing in my world, they have to go.    

[kelLOGg]

Two more days until I get the strobe light for the disco party. Meanwhile, yesterday as I approached the barn a squirrel was climbing down it, saw me and shot back up, got on the shed roof, ran down it and jumped 10 feet to the ground, scampered to the nearest tree and climbed up it. Squirrel Ninja Warrior.

[Brad_bb]

You think that squirrel was persistent....  This summer a squirrel chewed my ignition wire on one cylinder of my truck two different times costing me $250 each time to fix.  Then one day I started the truck put it in reverse and started to back out and CLUNK CLUNK!  And I saw piece of black plastic on the ground as I backed up.  He was the space between the cooling fans and the radiator and tried to jump out and the fan whacked him first cutting the tip of his tail off (found on the ground), and then whacking him across the back.  He had a red bruised and abraded line across his back and wouldn't come out of that space.  After 4 hours in there I finally decided to use the hose and flush him out which worked, and he limped off obviously hurt.  Cost me $650 to replace the cooling fan assembly. Wasn't sure he'd live.  You'd think he'd have learned too, but a week or two later I found him running out from under my truck.  Then he chewed the transmission sensor wire on my car's transmission (both vehicles have to be parked outside) and that cost $400 or so because the wire couldn't be repaired because it was cut too close to the sensor.  Then the walnuts on the trees started falling and I think he got busy dealing with that and didn't see him after that.  I set 4 have a hart traps out with peanut butter after the first two incidents but over the next two months, never caught anything.  I'll be looking for him in the spring.  Not hard to spot with the docked tail and line across his back.  May have to use the .22.  Total cost of 1 squirrel so far: $1550

[kelLOGg]

Okay, Brad, I won't compete with that. "uncle"

Got my strobe light up 2 days ago and I still have squirrels in the barn, BUT they are not in the vicinity of the light, so my lumber is safe.  They are not building nests (yet) but I hear them racing around so I may get more strobes.

[gamjduke]

I've trapped squirrels with the rat snap traps.  Just the huge version of your classic spring loaded mouse trap.  Also the large sticky traps for rats.

[SwampDonkey]

I've killed lots of squirrels with Victor rat traps and peanut butter.

Photo for context.

[Big_eddy]

Okay, Brad, I won't compete with that. "uncle"

Got my strobe light up 2 days ago and I still have squirrels in the barn, BUT they are not in the vicinity of the light, so my lumber is safe. They are not building nests (yet) but I hear them racing around so I may get more strobes.

My FIL had raccoons in the attic of his shop. Was told to blast loud music every night. He did and they left. I guess they didn’t  like AC DC at 3am.
Maybe add some music to your disco lights. The neighbours will think you’re a party animal.

[Andries]

Squirrels took a liking to the garage/shop at our camp in NW Ontario. We weren’t there over a continuous period to force an eviction and I was looking for a solution.
An elderly friend in Kenora needed help with his sawmill and during a break he told me that “rodents abhor the sound of the human voice”.
Alrighty then, an old radio at low volume, tuned in to Canada’s National Public Broadcaster, the CBC. As an old Scandinavian, Henry Rasmussen had a few tricks up his sleeve and that one worked like a charm.
No more rodents, larger or small. 😁

[kelLOGg]

The strobe light worked so well I got a 2nd one for the top of my dry kiln (2nd floor of barn). Ran it and the original one only during the day. I had a hernia repair and stopped climbing the steep barn stairs for a week. Went up yesterday and found a mess of leaves on the lumber rack (but no nest) so the critters are still active.

[kelLOGg]

Squirrels have completely adapted to the strobe light. This AM I raked 2 bushel baskets from a pile on my lumber that was 4 ft away from the lights. Squirrels are probably wearing welding glasses. 
We didn't have this problem until a coyote took out our cat; his presence around the barn kept the critters away. We didn't have a coyote problem until massive development pushed wildlife into our area. 
Back to the drawing board.

[boonesyard]

I have a LOT of experience with squirrels and the damage they cause. They can cause more damage than common rats, very destructive.

Once a fox squirrel has established its principal residence or food stash and it happens to cross over with your residence or vehicles, there is only one method that will deter these OCD driven critters,,,, sending them to squirrel heaven.

[Les Staley]

Don’t youse guys like squirrel pie,  frickaceed squirrel,  chicken fried squirrel?  Squirrel and briskets w/gravy?  I know 410 shells are hard to find, but this is ridiculous..  put a high power rifle scope on your 22 and sight it in for a known range….

[tree-farmer]

I've got a good recipe for squirrel and dumplings.  (it's a southern thing) Goes good with grits as well.  

[beenthere]

Would post that recipe please? Might just have to give it a go. Although, my management plan for squirrels is to take out the skinny gray and red/pine squirrels and let the larger fox squirrels thrive. 

[SwampDonkey]

They will come and go here around the buildings. At times they are busy for a few months, then might not see one for 3 years. The neighbor's cats I'm sure clean up on them. I have also found young ones dead as if possibly a male squirrel killed them off. Or maybe died from exposure or who knows. I'm sure they get disease like any animal to.

Males killing young of rivals is apparently a thing.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/red-squirrels-infanticide-university-of-alberta-1.4577164