May 10, 2010
I’m loaded for bear, metaphorically. But I’m loaded for squirrels quite literally.
Like this post?
Every year it’s us against squirrels. A couple years ago I caught over 50.
This year I’ve been lax, as if somehow they won’t be so bad–you know, by their own good nature. But they’ve eaten into our eaves and our garbage cans. They dig up flower beds. They fight on our roof a foot from the kids’ window.
So I just took lunch break to buy three reusable Tomcat snap rat traps.
I’m done with the live traps that I’ve used up till now… Those little punks are going down!
* * * * *
I know your pain…
My only worry would be finding the neighbor’s cat under one of those snap traps.
Don’t worry…I’m setting them on the roof.
1. Google “cat on roof”
2. Click images
3. Rethink strategy (or not)
poor squirrels :( but then again, i don’t have to fight off such pests…i have to fight off rats…which we usually trap with those sticky straps and then throw them in the garbage….just an idea..
If cats are so smart…why would they get caught in a trap?
I have no sympathy for those pests. Do what you gotta do. We hired people to get rid of ‘em and then fix the holes by which they got into the attic.
The part that gives me pause about your post is . . . “reusable.” There’s no way, not EVEN a way, I could manage to, um, empty a trap with a smashed squirrel in it. I can barely manage to pick up little bitty mousetrap with a dead mouse in it and toss the whole thing. Not out of sympathy for the victim, just sheer grossed-outness. Shudder.
But then, this is one reason husbands are so great! I’m so glad there’s a guy in the house to handle such things when necessary. I couldn’t care less what that admission does to whatever shreds of feminist cred I might think I have left.
sick. can you imagine catching a squirrel and then cleaning it up… ::gagging::
Yes, I’m afraid I can.
I bought the plastic traps for mice last fall and they weren’t powerful enough to kill the rodents, I had to finish killing them. The plastic rat trap may not have the umph to kill a squirrel. I bet the trap will clamp around the squirrel and he’ll drag it away. Have you called the humane society for advice? Hope it goes well!
“I bet the trap will clamp around the squirrel and he’ll drag it away.”
–> I know that that’s not a joke at all, but something about the wording + my imagination made me smile ‘n laugh!
Hmmm. We’ll see. Now I’m nervous…
keep us updated! (I know you will)
Maybe a dog would help? Our German Shepherd hunts lizards, stray cats, and 10 pound rats here. And kills them all. Although, a dog is more of a commitment than a trap.
My solution to our squirrel problem was a pellet gun form wal-mart. I actually shot them in the attic to make sure I was getting the right ones. Got three, plugged the hole, and no more squirrels – so far. This was about a month ago.
They are just planning their counter-strike
Along with regular old red squirrels, we have flying squirrels every spring. We (and by we, I mean my husband) set a rat trap that is secured to the eaves. We lost a few traps before we started securing them. 50 is an impressive take. Squirrels are so destructive. I have no problem with waging war on them in our home. Bring it, rodents!
I got a device called “Rat Zapper” It is battery operated and electrocutes the pests. We have buzzed many giant sized rats so it will probably work on squirels too. A green indicator light turns red when you got one. Reset it as often as you want. Not messy at all.
I used that same trap to kill a red squirrel in our garage this winter. It worked great. Except for the part when Christie called me at work at lunchtime and said that a squirrel had been caught and was “crying”. She was too chicken to end it with a baseball bat or the pellet gun. By the time I got home it had died. Peanut butter and sunflower seeds were the bait.
If you do have success, I’d love to hear about it. I am beginning planning the landscaping on the house next door and when I see 4-6 squirrels over there at a time I lose heart in having success with a garden. They have a huge nest in the tree over the upstairs deck. I like the gun idea.
A football will take care of the nest…
And a flame thrower…
Why can’t you stick with the live traps from last time? That worked so well I thought… this is just unpleasant and – I do believe – rather cruel :-(
Until you see one gnaw through a rubbermaid garbage can lid to get to your trash. They go from cute to “oh my, hide the women and children!”
I think there’s a vast squirrel conspiracy to take over the world: http://www.cleveland.com/sunstarcourier/index.ssf/2010/05/animals_in_the_news_strongsvil.html
BTW, my hubby and I went to North Georgia for a romantic cabin getaway a few years ago. Unfortunately, the squirrels had found the roof of our cabin very romantic, as well, and were apparently fruitful and multiplied. We complained (it’s rough to be romantic when you can’t sleep), but the mgmt told us that state law prohibited them from disturbing the squirrels. Tell that to our dog!
There was a rabid (or drunk) squirrel under my birdfeeder last week. It was pretty scrawny, and kept sitting up and tipping over like a bowling pin. So gross. I tried to think of a way to kill it without going outside, but couldn’t come up with anything.
Ever see Rambo? Flaming arrow would do the trick. Would probably rid you of your bird feeder as well.
Picture this:
bible study at my house. I pear through a window to notice a one in my study. The little sucker chewed throuch our screen door to get in my house. May they all perish!
I smooshed a squirrel today while driving the family van. I am confident that he endured unbearable pain on his way to squirrel purgatory. And I felt bad about it. But then I read this post and now I feel better, like I did the world a favor. Thanks!
Way to be!
If I had the guts to handle dead animals I would follow suit. I’ve never seen such fat, sassy varmints in my entire life (well, with the exception of my neighbor’s cats, but I think they are in cahoots with the squirrels).
Git Em!
I think the plastic ones might be a little light as well, but they’re worth a try. If you want a trap that will last until the apocalypse and kill squirrels instantly, I would get one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Oneida-0400-ONEIDA-VICTOR-CONIBEAR/dp/B002DRIHO4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1273620380&sr=1-3
I’ve been trapping squirrels since I’ve been 8 and have even consumed a few :)