How to scare off squirrels?
Discussion
Something has been chewing at some of the insulation on my car. Could be mice (rats?!), but as I haven't seen any I will guess it's a squirrel, as I see these all the bloody time.
So if they decide my car is a nice place to hang out and chew on, I want them gone! But short of shooting them (I'm not doing that…) how can I get rid of them? Internet is full of stuff that suggests it may work, but what actually works?
(the answer might be to get rid of the massive tree in my front garden, as I see them scuttling up and down it all the time. But then they'd still be nearby, unless I get all my neighbours to do the same!).
Any ideas appreciated. Cheers.
So if they decide my car is a nice place to hang out and chew on, I want them gone! But short of shooting them (I'm not doing that…) how can I get rid of them? Internet is full of stuff that suggests it may work, but what actually works?
(the answer might be to get rid of the massive tree in my front garden, as I see them scuttling up and down it all the time. But then they'd still be nearby, unless I get all my neighbours to do the same!).
Any ideas appreciated. Cheers.
From 8.00 mins NSFW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FS_4-_wtpE
If I had to guess I would go with rats rather than squirrels.
We haven't got many rats around us but a couple of years ago one did get into our house and it was a nightmare! At night we could hear it in ceilings/ upper floors chewing away, at times, within inches of us. During the day I would take floorboards up and see damage, usually chewed cables (which I later replaced). We tried traps, poison, and numerous youtube methods to no avail. After about two weeks it got too cocky and I got the bloody thing with a baseball bat. Yes really! Things were desperate!
We haven't got many rats around us but a couple of years ago one did get into our house and it was a nightmare! At night we could hear it in ceilings/ upper floors chewing away, at times, within inches of us. During the day I would take floorboards up and see damage, usually chewed cables (which I later replaced). We tried traps, poison, and numerous youtube methods to no avail. After about two weeks it got too cocky and I got the bloody thing with a baseball bat. Yes really! Things were desperate!
Tahiti said:
We were recommended traps and then dunk the squirrel, cage and all, into the water butt.
It's not for me, but considering the damage they did to my house, I'd have sympathies with someone doing it!
My mum's done that. For some reason she thought that to be safe she'd leave the cage in the water butt overnight. I'm not sure how long she thought a squirrel could hold its breath for.It's not for me, but considering the damage they did to my house, I'd have sympathies with someone doing it!
I've caught some in a cage trap before, and disposed of them. Note to all, if you kill them by lowering it into a large container of water, do not admit that to anyone, or the wonderful rspca will take you to court, given the chance. So No comment anything if asked. Or tell them to go f
k themselves if you prefer, but do not admit drowning them.
k themselves if you prefer, but do not admit drowning them.CoolHands said:
I've caught some in a cage trap before, and disposed of them. Note to all, if you kill them by lowering it into a large container of water, do not admit that to anyone, or the wonderful rspca will take you to court, given the chance. So No comment anything if asked. Or tell them to go fk themselves if you prefer, but do not admit drowning them.
If you catch a grey squirrel, it is illegal to release it! Kill it, or drop them off at the RSPCA who will kill them for you.k themselves if you prefer, but do not admit drowning them.More likely rats than squirrels, either way a good rough as fk ratter of a cat is your answer.
We have one who sorted out the rat problem in our garden and shed when we moved to our current house a few years back.
If you do catch them, don't drown them, get some thick gloves and do them quick with a broken neck.
k ratter of a cat is your answer. We have one who sorted out the rat problem in our garden and shed when we moved to our current house a few years back.
If you do catch them, don't drown them, get some thick gloves and do them quick with a broken neck.
This is what i have used to despatch squirrels with a clean kill (each time) -
http://www.uktraps.co.uk/index.php?route=product/p...
http://www.uktraps.co.uk/index.php?route=product/p...
My brother in law used to trap them, then poke an air rifle in, they are viscous and gnaw the barrel, which to be fair is a mistake but makes life easier, .177 through the brain, saw him with one that wouldnt do that, took a fair few shots, some of which hit but didnt kill it, tough little buggers.
I've shot at least 15 of the buggers so far this year with an air rifle. It does require patience though to ensure a clean kill. The cats have done their fair share in keeping the population down as well.
I've recently acquired a 9mm shot gun also referred to as a Garden Gun which will make the job a lot easier going forward. It's a little on the loud side to be honest but the neighbours either side hate them as much as I do so I'm not anticipating any issues.
We've got a large sweet chestnut tree in the back garden. Come autumn you'll regularly see upwards of 20 squirrels at any one time feeding. If it was the odd one or two I'd leave them be but we've got hundreds of them and the damage is substantial.
I've recently acquired a 9mm shot gun also referred to as a Garden Gun which will make the job a lot easier going forward. It's a little on the loud side to be honest but the neighbours either side hate them as much as I do so I'm not anticipating any issues.
We've got a large sweet chestnut tree in the back garden. Come autumn you'll regularly see upwards of 20 squirrels at any one time feeding. If it was the odd one or two I'd leave them be but we've got hundreds of them and the damage is substantial.
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