You probably don’t give much thought to a squirrel when you see one scurrying about in your backyard, but they are truly amazing little creatures. They can run at speeds up to 20 mph, and the positioning of their eyes allows them to see behind them. No chance of sneaking up on a squirrel! And if you ever wondered how a squirrel can find their stored goodies like nuts and acorns so easily, it’s because their memory actually increases by 15 percent during the winter.
The ideal habitat for squirrels is a forest filled with oak, beech and hickory trees that provide food and natural cover. Some squirrels live in nests that have been burrowed in the ground. Primarily vegetarians, squirrels like to feed on a variety of fruits, nuts, berries, mushrooms and the occasional insect.
Unfortunately for you, the homeowner, with this diet, suburban backyards can be very enticing to Mr. or Ms. Squirrel – especially if that backyard has a bird feeder. That’s why if you see them in your yard, you need to take steps to get rid of squirrels.
Squirrel Repellents
A good way to solve your problem is to learn how to deter squirrels. To protect both your yard and bird feeder, try using a squirrel repellent. A pepper-based repellent will deter squirrels using taste, while other repellents offer dual protection with both taste and smell deterrents. Heat or motion-sensor electronic repellents can also be used to get rid of squirrels.
Squirrel Traps
A well-positioned live animal cage along with a tempting treat can also be an effective way to reduce the squirrel population around your home. When using a squirrel trap, be sure to place it along the path the squirrel takes to your garden, home or other area where you do not want them. Other tips for squirrel trapping include placing the trap on the upper rail of a fence, as squirrels love to scamper back and forth along them.
How to Bait a Squirrel Trap
The best bait for squirrels include cereal, grains, nuts (especially peanuts), sunflower seeds, anise oil, shelled corn, apples, mixed peanut butter and oatmeal or mixed peanut butter and molasses and popcorn. Squirrels can become dehydrated, so squirrel baiting tips can also include using oranges because of their high water content. Since squirrels are excellent climbers, it is very difficult to exclude them from your yard. To protect smaller trees, use garden netting; for larger trees, try a wide collar made of sheet metal or Plexiglas®, allowing enough room for tree growth.
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