Hobbies And Interests
Squirrel Basics
Squirrels are diurnal, which means they are active during the day and sleep at night. They generally eat fruit and nuts. However, they also eat flower bulbs, ornamental plants and vegetable plants as well as untended pet food and unsecured garbage. Nevertheless, if squirrels are only eating your flower plants, spraying with a repellant might keep the squirrels away. However, if squirrels get into your house, they can cause serious damage such as chewing electrical wires, which can cause a fire. To get into an attic, all squirrels need is an opening large enough for their heads.
Making Sure It's Legal
Relocating squirrels is legal in some states but not in others. To avoid breaking the law, check with your state wildlife agency or local animal-control agency before you try to relocate squirrels.
Relocation Considerations
Even if it is legal to relocate squirrels, it might not be desirable for several reasons. Squirrels are territorial. If you move squirrels out of your yard, new ones will likely move into the vacant territory. Also, if you trap and relocate a squirrel to another area, it has to fight for territory, which stresses the existing squirrel population there. In addition, the moved squirrel has to find a new home before nightfall, along with new food and water sources while avoiding predators. Moreover, the squirrel you are relocating might be carrying diseases into the new area.
Relocation Basics
If it is legal to relocate a squirrel in your area, you start by trapping it. You can hire someone to do the job or do it yourself. Because you usually have more than one problem squirrel, it is important to start out with enough traps to catch all of the squirrels at the same time. If squirrels see other squirrels unable to get out of trap, they become aware of what the traps mean and will not enter them. Experts say to begin with at least six traps and pre-bait them, meaning put food in the traps, but do not set them. Use peanut butter, sunflower seeds, nuts, shelled corn or apple slices. After all the food disappears, replace the food and set the traps. In addition, eliminate all the other available food in the area, including bird feeders.