catch a squirrel

[Hard@it]

I have a grey squirrel that has eaten most of my apricots off a tree, and leaves only the shells of the seed pod on the ground, broken and with the inside gone. Does anyone know how to catch it ? I am putting this on H&G also.

[fishbait]

an airrifle works every time for me.

[jaberwocky]

if you ever do manage to catch it do you know that is is iilegal to let it go again?they're not indigenous to this country and are the reason the native reds have dwindled.

[RATTER15]

Forget the air rifle, if you are not a crack shot, the squirrel will die a slow death.

There are plenty of places where you can buy a rabbit or squirrel traps or order one online, either will do, they catch the squirrel alive to be released later, but don't tell anyone about releasing it as it is illegal. you can bait the trap with fruit and they are very easy to use.

[RATTER15]

Out of interest. When I done my course on squirrel control as part of my pest control course, It is recommended that if you catch a squirrel in a cage trap, the easiest method of culling is as follows: place hessian sack over end of cage, manoeuvre squirrel into sack, move the squirrel into the corner of the sack then club it to death with a stout stick. I just release them. Yes I'm bad!!

[Hard@it]

Thanks for the quick response I'm no ogre, I have no intention of being cruel to the animal whatsoever. Obviously I will have to do something it has cleared all apricots except a handful so it has to go one way6 or the other.

[pompomfairy]

u can borrow my kittten if u like she got 2 of them in the soace of a day. :D

[WendyS]

Could you buy a large fluffy toy cat (or dog) and anchor it at the base of your apricot tree as a deterrent? Perhaps move it around a little so that it's not always in the same place. (Don't know how intelligent squirrels are at spoting fakes).

[RATTER15]

Pompom fairy, I would be tempted to try and discourage your kitten from going for squirrels, if possible, no kitten will kill an adult squirrel, a baby yes, an adult squirrel is a formidable foe for an adult cat and many cats have suffered the consequences of trying.

[doglady]

We had a squirrel living in our loft when I was little, eating all the insulation. We were worried it would chew through the electric wires and kill itself. My little brother saw it sitting on our garden fence one day. A swift shot from his water pistol scared it away very effectively, and it didn't go back in the loft again.

I imagine it was far less painful and much less letahl than an air rifle!! But very effective all the same!!!