Help! I have squirrels in my attic!!

[Poiuyt]

They're so cute, but I know they can cause damage. It's a third floor walk-up attic. Should get a Have-a-Heart trap and some heavy gloves, or should I call an animal control specialist?

[rogerashton]

1. Big deal.

I have squirrels in my government. Any suggestions?

[hfojvt]

6. If only

why do you want to insult squirrels by comparing them to the BFEE? Even minks and weasels are not that vicious or callous, much less squirrels.

[Dr.Phool]

13. Lots of alcohol

And or drugs, seems to soothe the symptoms.

[ewagner]

2. Two options

#1 Live trapping and removing , or

#2 Go into the attic and act like a nut! :evilgrin:

[davidinalameda]

3. maybe they were there first

and they think it's their attic

maybe you should leave

:shrug:

[LostinVA]

4. Pest control -- they can be mean, destructive f*ckers

They are tree rats, remmeber that! Beatrix Potter just made them cute and cuddly.

[hfojvt]

5. you could just borrow somebody's cat

assuming the squirrels have a way out of the attic. If a cat shows up, they will get the hint and leave. Either way you need to block their re-entry.

As far as the other two alternatives, I would go with whatever is cheaper. If you buy a trap, you can re-use it for other occasions. I would not be scared of a squirrel myself, although I understand they have really sharp claws, and are pretty quick too.

[BikeWriter]

7. Watch out for those teeth!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

8. Have-a-Hart. Works like a charm.

When you catch them, drive at LEAST 5 miles away and set 'em free.

They won't be back, and they won't be harmed.



:toast:

[tjwmason]

9. Live traps

Then kill them humanely and eat them - apparently they taste rather nice.

[megatherium]

11. but don't saute their brains.

People have gotten transmissible spongiform encephalopathies ("mad cow disease" or Jakob-Creutzfeld disease) that way. On the level: it happened in Kentucky a few years ago.

[warrens]

10. First listen to the This American Life episode with the cops and squirrels

The most hilarious what-not-to-do thing ever, told by the cop. First the squirrel, shocked by his flashlight, jumps him, causing him to drop the HEAVY flashlight the houseowner waiting at the bottome of the stairs, breaking his nose. Then the squirrel runs right down his back, down the stairs and under a couch. So they try to flush him out, and succeed too well...the squirrel runs right into the fireplace, setting his tail on fire, then runs back under the couch, setting IT on fire...and so on. If you can ever download it, prepare to laugh til you're sick.

I'd recommend someone who is a specialist, because squirrels like things like the insulation off electrical wire and stuff.

[CBHagman]

19. I've got to check that out.

A few years back a squirrel infiltrated my APARTMENT while I was at work. It ate a pan of brownies and lurked in the kitchen until I came home. Our initial meeting was marked by screams on both sides.

I called the animal control people, and they sent out a very nice guy wearing a cap ("Squirrels don't care what they climb over. Why do you think I wear a cap?"). We pulled all the screens out of the windows, in the hopes said squirrel would climb out, but I soon found the screens worked best as a squirrel deflector when the creature panicked and ran towards me. I was spared having a squirrel climb up my leg and onto my head.

Those creatures can climb over ANYTHING, run in all directions when panicked, and of course hide easily. We eventually shooed the little critter out into the hallway and eventually out the front door. Thank God.

Seriously, though, you do not want these animals in your house. They will chew your electrical wiring and start fires.

Best of luck.

[Dr.Phool]

12. Have a Heart works good,

I used to get a few occasionally when I was trapping Raccoons. Along with the occasional cat.

[mongo]

14. You need to block the hole first

and then, if you still here them get a have-a-heart trap or just make one. Look up rabbit traps on the internet. It's easy enough. you just need some 1" thick wood and some dowels or twigs.

[bleedingheart]

15. Take a shotgun up to the attic and fire away...

it will also help air out the attic in time for spring cleaning..

:evilgrin:

[BeFree]

16. Mothballs

No, not balls from moths..... sheesh!

Mothballs. They stink. Not many creatures can stand the smell. Broadcast them in the attic and the squirrels will find their way out. Now, if they have babies up there, it may take them awhile to move out. Once they are totally gone, then fix the hole.

[Chico Man]

17. I once had an squirrel crawl out of my toilet

No kidding.... I thought it was a snake at first. It eventually suffocated. One of the strangest days of my life! I was on my way and getting ready for Lollapalooza '94 at Quonset point to see the Smashing Pumpkins and the Beastie Boys.

[ScreamingMeemie]

21. Now I'm going to be afraid to go potty all day.

Thank you. ;)

[regularguy]

18. My squirrel story got in my local weekly a few years back:

http://citypaper.net/articles/113000/cs.cover3.shtml

[shesemsmom]

22. That was cute.

I suppose yours was the baby squirrel story

[shesemsmom]

20. Id start with animal control and if that is unsuccessfully

pest control. That would be my last step though