Mother & Baby Squirrels Removed

A couple of weeks ago Ryan was called for a squirrel removal from a decorative cupola mounted on the roof of a home. As there aren’t a lot of cupolas out there, this was a first for us.

Remember that squirrels usually have two litters per year and the last round of births was in August and September?

During the inspection, Ryan found that a mother squirrel had chewed her way between a couple of the wooden slats. Once in the hollow of the cupola, she found a secure spot protected from the weather and predators. She built a nest and gave birth.

A Squirrel Removal Plan

Ryan also found that the mother squirrel was in the cupola while he was there. This was good news for an efficient removal.

First, Ryan wrapped the four sides of the cupola with steel hardware cloth. He did that in order to control the movement of the squirrel. Squirrels can chew through a lot, but they can’t get through fairly heavy steel mesh. This essentially trapped the squirrel inside the cupola. Ryan set it up so that the only way the squirrel could get out was through the opening Ryan left: the opening that led to his trap.

Next, Ryan affixed a one-way door trap to the one opening he left. After he left the job, the mother squirrel eventually wanted to leave the nest and get some food. She was surely on alert, but left the nest following the path of least resistance. She was able to walk into the trap. But, once she got so far, the pivoting one-way door did not allow her to go back into the cupola. Ryan found her in the trap the next day.

Finally, Ryan removed the babies and nest material by hand. In order to do this he had to enlarge the opening a bit so he could get his arm inside. After the babies were removed, he made it so no other squirrels could get in.

Take a look at this video which shows these elements of the job.