Squirrels in attic

[check]

IMO a strong pellet gun is too strong to shoot in buildings. A strong pellet gun could shoot through the insulation and sheet rock. I would much prefer a 22 LR loaded with rat shot. Any pellet gun capable of shooting over somewhere in the 1,100 FPS range will sonic crack which defeats the main point of a pellet gun.

Good point. Never thought of that! I have always lamented the fact that department store pellet guns only shoot about 500 ft./s. But now I realize that that's what makes them quiet and does not scare way every squirrel within a half a mile!

 

[Garycw]

Good point. Never thought of that! I have always limited the fact that department store pellet guns only shoot about 500 ft./s. But now I realize that that's what makes them quiet and does not scare way every squirrel within a half a mile!

My 22 cal steoger has a integrated silencer
On the barrel. With the factory scope dialed in, it's hard to miss a head shot. Especially in close quarters. If you did happen to miss, yes most likely it'd go through your roof.

 

[check]

My 22 cal steoger has a integrated silencer
On the barrel. With the factory scope dialed in, it's hard to miss a head shot. Especially in close quarters. If you did happen to miss, yes most likely it'd go through your roof.

But does the silencer eliminate the sonic crack?

 

[Garycw]

But does the silencer eliminate the sonic crack?

Sounds like a stick cracking. It's not bad.

 

[check]

Sounds like a stick cracking. It's not bad.

Not bad. Only problem is, if it has greater than 495 fps muzzle velocity, you need a "Possession and Acquisition Licence" (PAL) here in Canada.

 

[Garycw]

Not bad. Only problem is, if it has greater than 495 fps muzzle velocity, you need a "Possession and Acquisition Licence" (PAL) here in Canada.

Yikes. Didn't know or ever heard of that. I guess just get a PAL. Then. Sounds like just a way for gov to take more of your $.
Rat poison is another option. They eat, go looking for water never to return. If they do. Usually dry up in a few weeks.

 

[k0ua]

While I would not have a problem of using a lower velocity pellet rifle or pistol or even rat shot out of a .22 up in the attic, be sure to wear good wrap around eye protection. And hearing protection if the .22 is a pistol. I would not use a .22 with a solid lead bullet. You could use a 12 gauge by replacing the lead shot with plastic BB's (airsoft ammo) but that seems a bit like overkill to me. Some of the higher velocity pellet rifles might be a problem. I am thinking something like my little Crosman American pump up pellet pistol. That way you can keep the velocity down low and have less likelihood of shoot thru or damaging something you don't want to damage. A soft lead pellet will have less chance of bouncing around in the rafters than a steel BB too.

 

[Jstpssng]

I would be thankful that it's squirrels and not snakes. I've known of a few of places which got the latter, once in the old fieldstone foundation, while a couple times were in camp walls and attic.
I would be tempted to burn my house if that happened. /

 

[Pilot]

Live traps have worked well for squirrels in my barn. Then they go for a swim that lasts longer than they do.

The JOB sounds good for eliminating them from areas near the house. I'll spread it on the bark of the trees, higher than a dog can reach. Worth a try. No cats around here except for a 16 yr. old in the house.

When we bought a new house in the woods in Montana there were lots of squirrels around. By the time we moved out 3 yrs. later there were very few. Our cat never showed us any, but he was a great hunter. While in the Air Force living on base, one day while we were eating lunch he caught a mouse out back and deposited it on our back deck. Went out, caught another laid it down beside the first one. Then another and another for a total of six all lined up military style on our back deck. Great cat until a German shepherd caught him when he was about 13 yrs. old.

 

[Pilot]

Live traps have worked well for squirrels in my barn. Then they go for a swim that lasts longer than they do.

The JOB sounds good for eliminating them from areas near the house. I'll spread it on the bark of the trees, higher than a dog can reach. Worth a try. No cats around here except for a 16 yr. old in the house.

When we bought a new house in the woods in Montana there were lots of squirrels around. By the time we moved out 3 yrs. later there were very few. Our cat never showed us any, but he was a great hunter. While in the Air Force living on base, one day while we were eating lunch he caught a mouse out back and deposited it on our back deck. Went out, caught another laid it down beside the first one. Then another and another for a total of six all lined up military style on our back deck. Great cat until a German shepherd caught him when he was about 13 yrs. old.

 

[jack707]

Well I ordered some conibear traps, a six pack of 110's one 220, a trap setter and a safety grip tool. Total cost $67.01. Estimated delivery date the 19th - the 24th.

I started a new thread asking how to take care of your traps.

I am now on a mission to eradicate the little furry tailed rodents from around my property. I have no problem co-existing with nature, it is when they threaten my property is when the war starts.

My mother in law used to feed the little critters until they found their way into their attic. Then the father in law went out and purchased a pellet gun. They lived in the city so the use of real firearms was not an option.

Put peanut butter the trigger before you set the trap and sprinkle some bird seed on the peanut butter and you will get it.

 

[Big Barn]

Put peanut butter the trigger before you set the trap and sprinkle some bird seed on the peanut butter and you will get it.

State of California residents please substitute with "organic almond butter"..

Terry

 

[Wagtail]

State of California residents please substitute with "organic almond butter"..

Terry

Artisanial or generic "organic almond butter"?

 

[Big Barn]

Artisanial or generic "organic almond butter"?

Apparently Red squirrels aren't known to be snobby, so I would just go with the generic.

Terry

 

[polkwrangler]

go to tractor supply and get peanut flavored rat poison bars should be in a small bucket ....it has worked wonders on my squirrell problems

 

[check]

Live traps have worked well for squirrels in my barn. Then they go for a swim that lasts longer than they do. The JOB sounds good for eliminating them from areas near the house. I'll spread it on the bark of the trees, higher than a dog can reach. Worth a try. No cats around here except for a 16 yr. old in the house. When we bought a new house in the woods in Montana there were lots of squirrels around. By the time we moved out 3 yrs. later there were very few. Our cat never showed us any, but he was a great hunter. While in the Air Force living on base, one day while we were eating lunch he caught a mouse out back and deposited it on our back deck. Went out, caught another laid it down beside the first one. Then another and another for a total of six all lined up military style on our back deck. Great cat until a German shepherd caught him when he was about 13 yrs. old.

I am a bit surprised that the cat could kill a squirrel. They are incredibly fast, and have big long sharp teeth!

Amo's is one thing, but with the squirrel, I expect the cat would have a battle on his hands!

 

[k0ua]

I am a bit surprised that the cat could kill a squirrel. They are incredibly fast, and have big long sharp teeth!

Amo's is one thing, but with the squirrel, I expect the cat would have a battle on his hands!

Our outside kitty, brings up a squirrel fairly often. I am sure that a squirrel is much more of a challenge than some other things but they can do it.

 

[eray1066]

I had a squirrel problem in our cottage last year. They had gotten in through two old louvers which needed to be replaced anyway. To get them out I put hardware cloth over both louvers. I cut a small hole in one of the hardware cloth covered louvers and fashioned a one-way door out of hardware cloth. It was similar to the door to a haveahart trap. The squirrels left and were unable to get back in. Later I installed new louvers with hardware cloth covering. This technique worked great.

 

[Jstpssng]

I am a bit surprised that the cat could kill a squirrel. They are incredibly fast, and have big long sharp teeth!

Amo's is one thing, but with the squirrel, I expect the cat would have a battle on his hands!

My dog caught a flying squirrel a couple of years ago... don't ask me how. I was out tapping trees when I noticed he was licking something, which turned out to be the (live) squirrel. I suspect it may have been sick or more likely starving, given the time of year.