Every year in the fall squirrels get into people's homes.

They are looking for that ideal warm spot to store their food supplies for the winter.  One of my clients has been invaded!

The pesky little critters ate through the trim on the muti-unit home and were in the attic.  The tenants were calling, the kids were laughing and the landlord was not smiling!

Owning multiple rental units can keep you busy but add squirrels and you might be in for some not so nice nature fun.

For the most part trapping and releasing squirrels is pretty simple.  The local hardware stores sell small animal traps. 

The next step is the bait...pretty easy this time of year when the squirrels are storing winter supplies.  An apple, peanut butter and a few nuts sprinkled on top and you have the perfect bait.  Squirrels might chew another hole to get at the bait!  I think catching is the easy part of the task.

The move and release step requires a bit more caution.  Typically these traps have little lift-up doors.  The last thing you want to happen is be bitten by a frightened squirrel.  That is why some folks think a pellet gun is the best option.  I personally think the live catch and release is the right way to handle these persistent little intruders.

I wear leather gloves make sure I don't put my fingers where little sharp teeth can chomp and place my trapped little intruder in the back of my pickup.  I do put a cover over the cage so it tends to calm the animal down.

My friend liked my suggestion and captured the first of a small family that had set up home in the attic.  Transporting to a friends farm with land to roam and tall trees was a pleasant and satisfying release option.  They arrived released the squirrel and it immediate ran for the barn and has a new home!  The farmer friend was less than thrilled that he has a new tenant.  He said, "well it won't be long and the squirrel will find the woods...the cats don't like to share very well."

So squirrels can be destructive to property and a bit of a task to catch and they can offer an adventure too!

Remember the peanut butter and those leather gloves!  Do you have a squirrely story?

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