Squirrel Trappings Basics
Gray Squirrels or Fox Squirrels are living in the attic.
They come out of the soffit and run around on the roof.
There are big ones and little ones.
They are really driving you nuts (pun intended).
Have you ever wondered what successful squirrel trapping and removal looks like?
This post is meant to simply explain and show (in video format) steps one may follow if gray squirrels or fox squirrels are calling your home theirs.
Step 1 : Identify where the squirrels are getting into the attic
Identifying where the squirrels are getting into the building is the all important first step. This is because the entry/exit spot or spots is where the traps will be going. Additionally, if more than one entry/exit, these areas need attention during the trapping process and afterwards-when you enter the repair phase.
This probably will require a ladder and possibly getting on the roof: be careful.
Step 2 : Acquire two varieties of squirrel traps
- The first kind is a small, cage-style live trap. This type of trap has door at one end which closes when a squirrel goes inside to get bait.
This style of trap will capture any squirrels that were OUTSIDE of the home when the traps are set and are in the vicinity of the exit/entrance.
An example of this type of trap is to the right and we have modified it a little by wrapping duct tape around it.
See these traps from Tomahawk Live Trap or Safeguard.
2. The second kind of trap is a one-way door trap. Set in place by an exit, the wire door pivots to let squirrels go out when they push on it but not back in.
This style of trap is intended to catch squirrels that are INSIDE the home when the traps are set.
The top trap in the picture to the right is a one-way door. The bottom trap is long and has one way doors in it. Attaching the two together gives a lot of room to accommodate a lot of squirrels leaving.
See this page on the Safeguard web site for a better look at one-way door and “repeater” squirrel traps.
Step 3 : Set the traps
Setting the cage style of traps is fairly easy. Bait is added to the trap and the traps are placed on the roof by the entry.
Based on the slope of the roof, these traps may need to be attached to the roof.
There is more involved in getting the one-way door and extension into place. Since the trap works when the squirrels exit, they can’t have options when exiting. Therefore, funnels/narrowing must be created and the trap attached in place at the only places left to exit.
Temporarily blocking of the exits to force them into the trap is often accomplished with wire or other materials not easily chewed through.
It just takes some creativity to get the one-way door trap in place and effectively working.
Step 4 : Remove the squirrels from the traps
This is pretty self explanatory. The box traps get carried (lowered) off the roof and new ones set in place. The repeater trap has a back door that we can open once a second repeater (carrier) is attached to it. Using this method, the one-way door (creatively installed) doesn’t need to be disassembled so the hole can be monitored longer.
Step 5 : Assure the problem squirrels are gone
The traps stay in place until the problem seems resolved. Noises in the attic will no longer be there because the squirrels are gone. Nothing more will be caught exiting. The outside traps will be empty too as the squirrels seeking that entry/exit are captured.
Step 6 : Repair the damage so the problem doesn’t recur
See our other posts and pages for repair.
View the Video on Squirrel Trapping /Removal
To really visualize this simple squirrel removal methodology, please take a look at this short video.
In it, you’ll see the two types of trap and their placement.
The mother squirrel is caught on the outside in a cage style trap while the juvenile squirrels are caught coming from the inside in the one-way door/repeater style trap.
You’ll see the temporary blocking Ryan has put in place to seal off one side of the soffit and narrow the other side down for the one-way door.
The only thing you can’t see is the big smile on another happy client’s face–but, it is definitely there.
Squirrel Removal and Repair for Akron / Canton / Kent
If young, noisy squirrels have alerted you to a squirrel issue or a squirrel damage issue and are interested in learning more about squirrel removal: we strongly encourage you to look through other blog posts and pages of our web site. We may have some pictures, videos, or descriptions that are oddly similar your current squirrel issue.
You may want to start with:
And, if you live in the Stark, Summit, Portage County, OH area and need a reliable and professional squirrel control company, please contact us today.
