View Full Version : Squirrel in the attic
nymphetamine
Dec 9, 2005, 06:26 AM
There is a baby squirrel up in my folks attic. My mean daddy put poison up there and fortunatly the squirrel did not eat it but dumped the box out the attic window. I heard to use mothballs and vinegar but daddy won't use them for some reason. How do I get this baby out of the attic?
RickJ
Dec 9, 2005, 06:37 AM
A "live trap" is the way to go to get it out of there alive. It's a wire cage with a trip mechanism in it that you put some peanut butter on. When squirly tries to eat it, he closes himself in.
Then you can just carry the trap/cage outside and let it go.
Call a local pet store and ask them if they know who might carry a "live trap".
fredg
Dec 9, 2005, 06:43 AM
HI,
You do want to get rid of this squirrel as soon as possible. It will chew up and chew through anything it comes across! Even electrical wiring.
The other answer mentioned a live trap. Here is some information:
http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/squirrels.htm
You can get a live trap at some hardware stores, and if available, a Farmers Cooperative.
If you wish to go further with this and kill it, then a Large Rat Trap will do it, using peanut butter on the trigger unit. I am not recommending killing it, but it is an option; as your Dad already tried. He does NOT want to use poison, cause if the squirrel dies in the attic, or in the wall, you will have an unbelievable smell in the house!
Best of luck.
nymphetamine
Dec 9, 2005, 12:53 PM
Well the squirrel is outside now playing fireman on the side of my house and getting busy with the stair rail.
lilfyre
Dec 10, 2005, 05:15 AM
Forget the poison, the moth balls are worse, moth balls inhaling the fumes from them can do long term damage to the kidneys, and liver of most animal, as suggested by another member get a live trap, catch it and take it far away, or call you local A.C.O and they can direct you to a wild life rehabber that can help. Squirrels are cute and cuddly, but will do major damage to your home. I know this for a fact. I live in an old farm house in NJ and we had flying squirrels in the home when we moved in. I thought they were cute so I let them stay the winter. Well they really liked our attic, and removed most of the insulation and chewed every thing they could. After they where done with the attic. They made their way down to the first floor where they took up residency in out kitchen ceiling; you could actually see then run across the ceiling and threw the florescent lighting. With two cats and a pit-bull running threw the kitchen crashing into everything trying to catch the ceiling dwellers, oh my god what a mess we had, we have since caught all the fuzzy little critters to the north forty, but I do not think they are cute anymore at least not in my home. If they where in your attic once they will come back. They are by no means stupid, they are beyond smart.
lilfyre
Dec 10, 2005, 05:34 AM
you can buy Live Animal Traps ( http://growersupply.com/live.html) on line on places like EBAY and other sites. they look like this. http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/btgrowersupply_1874_4405297 or I checked and in Georgia there are pet smarts, you can purchase these traps for around 30.00, or Pet co's in you area (http://www.petco.com/Content/Locator/Search.aspx?PC=storelocator&Nav=2&cm_re=102605-_-hdr-_-locate) I hope this is some what helpful to you.
nymphetamine
Dec 10, 2005, 06:12 AM
Thank you guys. My dad says he's going to get the trap. He says he tried to kill it but doesn't have the heart to do it now.
Fr_Chuck
Dec 10, 2005, 06:45 AM
First of course in GA most phone books have listing for people that come and catch wild animals.
Next almost every town has a TSC Tractor Supply Company, they sell small animal traps. Good for all sortsof small animals,
You trap the animal and let him loose somewhere else.
Note, they can do serious damage to your home, eat though wires, destroy insulation, and so much more. I have seen them almost destroy garages. Also they ( no matter how cute) carry various mites and disease.
talaniman
Dec 10, 2005, 03:37 PM
:) Don't forget to find where they came in and plug/repair! :cool:
ynotus
Feb 16, 2006, 06:43 AM
To keep squirrels out of your attic hang a black rubber snake up near the eves of your roof!Squirrels are scared of snakes!We use to live at a Texas lake,every time you turned around there was homes burning down!Not homes with snakes!Good Luck:p
lubu
Sep 14, 2007, 06:53 PM
I have a phobia about squirrels, whenever I see one I have goosbumps then I shiver for a bit, even thinking about them makes me feel cold inside.