Q: Why won't squirrels go in my trap?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re having trouble with your traps, first examine them for flaws that would allow a squirrel to escape easily, such as loose doors or hinges. It&rsquo;s also important to consider the location of your trap: Place it in areas with higher squirrel traffic, and make sure it&rsquo;s on a sturdy surface so it can&rsquo;t wobble or tip (squirrels aren&rsquo;t likely to walk in a trap that isn&rsquo;t stable). Lastly, try changing out your bait&mdash;in-shell peanuts or peanut butter often work best.</p></div>

Question 1

Why won't squirrels go in my trap?

Accepted Answer

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If you’re having trouble with your traps, first examine them for flaws that would allow a squirrel to escape easily, such as loose doors or hinges. It’s also important to consider the location of your trap: Place it in areas with higher squirrel traffic, and make sure it’s on a sturdy surface so it can’t wobble or tip (squirrels aren’t likely to walk in a trap that isn’t stable). Lastly, try changing out your bait—in-shell peanuts or peanut butter often work best.

Question 2

What smells do deer hate the most?

Accepted Answer

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Deers have an extraordinarily strong sense of smell, which means they can react strongly to certain scents. Lavender, garlic, mint, cinnamon, clove, and human hair are some of the most offensive scents for deer. You can try mixing some of these pungent oils or scents with a spray mixture and adding them to your garden.

Question 3

What should you do with an armadillo after you catch it?

Accepted Answer

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What you should do with an armadillo after you catch it depends on what your local laws dictate. Often, it's easiest to relocate an armadillo rather than euthanize it. Contact your local wildlife control office or experts for information specific to your area. After removal is complete, be sure to repair any holes left in your yard or under your home.

Question 4

What shouldn’t you do when trying to get rid of squirrels?

Accepted Answer

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Unlike for rats and mice, poisonous baits and fumigants aren’t a legal option for dealing with squirrel invasions. So, don’t set any traps up using standard rodenticides. Remember that you typically need a permit for trapping and relocating squirrels found on your property. Some states even specify the types of traps you need to use.

Question 5

Is there anything I shouldn’t do when trying to get rid of snakes?

Accepted Answer

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Even if you have extreme ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), don’t try to shoot or kill them with a shovel. Besides being pretty cruel, killing snakes in most states is illegal unless your life is at risk and many species are protected.

Plus, you're putting yourself at greater risk using these techniques if it goes wrong and the now-angry snake is venomous.