How to Humanely Evict & Exclude Squirrels from the Cabin

Do you love squirrels because they are clever and curious, or do you loathe them because they take up residence in your cabin and wreak havoc on your bird feeder? Maybe, like many cabin owners, your feelings about squirrels change from one minute to the next. Thankfully, there are ways to humanely evict these pesky animals and prevent them from doing too much damage to your cabin property. Here are a few tips:

INSIDE

• If a squirrel is loose inside the cabin, approach it slowly with a blanket. Drop the blanket over the squirrel and quickly roll it up, taking care not to squish the animal. Then release it outside.
• If you need to remove squirrels that are nesting in the attic, it’s best to wait until the kits (babies) are old enough to leave with their mother. Peak nesting times are February–May and August–October.
• You can try to coax adult squirrels out of the attic with loud noises, bright lights, or rags soaked with cider vinegar. They also tend to leave their nests during the day.
• Once all squirrels have been removed from the cabin, check chimneys, rooflines and other areas for possible entryways. Then prevent them from re-entering by installing chimney caps or metal flashing. If a squirrel still tries to get in, it’s a good indication that there might still be kits inside.
• Relocating squirrels using live traps does not always work since few actually survive the move. And, once a squirrel is removed from the yard, it’s likely that another will just move in.
• Try not to exclude squirrels in the winter, as their survivability may be compromised.
• When in doubt, hire a professional.

OUTSIDE

• If squirrels are gnawing on furniture or railings, lightly rub the exposed surfaces with a bar of soap.
• Plant daffodils – squirrels won’t dig up the bulbs. For other bulb flowers, soak bulbs in a squirrel repellent (look for the active ingredient Thiram) before planting. Cover with chicken wire or wire bulb cages.
• Place bird feeders where squirrels can’t get to them, or attach baffles to block access.
• Fill feeders with bird-friendly foods that cause squirrels to turn up their noses, such as safflower seed or nyjer thistle.
• Don’t use deterrents that cause unnecessary pain or discomfort to the squirrel, such as spicy additives or electrical currents. And don’t use any sticky stuff; these substances can kill birds.
• Squirrels are smart, so don’t be surprised if they outwit your best exclusion efforts. Another option is to add a squirrel feeder to your yard. Hey, if you can’t beat them, you might as well join them, right?

SOURCE: www.humanesociety.org