Yeah, you can catch a squirrel—and you don’t have to hurt the animal or yourself in the process. With some patience, the right bait, and a humane live trap, you can safely trap and release a squirrel from your yard or even your house.
Let’s get into what actually works, what to skip, and how to avoid getting scratched or bitten by these fast, clever little guys. I’ll walk you through simple ways to pick bait, set a trap, and move the squirrel outside so it doesn’t just come running back.
Is It Possible to Catch a Squirrel?
Absolutely—you can catch a squirrel, but it really depends on how you go about it, how the squirrel acts, and what your local laws say. Live cage traps or a careful blanket capture usually work best, especially if you match the bait and timing to the squirrel’s habits.
How Hard Is It to Catch a Squirrel?
Catching a squirrel isn’t easy. They’re fast, super alert, and suspicious of anything new.
A red or gray squirrel might stare at your bait for days before they even think about stepping into a trap. Ground squirrels, on the other hand, sometimes go for low-lying bait if they feel safe out in the open.
You’ll have better luck if you use good bait like peanut butter, whole nuts, or seeds. Pre-baiting the area for a few days helps too.
Check your traps every day. If you make loud noises or sudden moves near the trap, squirrels will remember and stay away.
Different Types of Squirrels You Can Catch
You’ll probably run into tree squirrels (like red or gray squirrels) or ground squirrels. Tree squirrels climb and leap, so put traps near tree trunks, eaves, or along fences.
Red squirrels are smaller and quick—use less bait and a snug trap so they can’t wriggle out.
Ground squirrels stick to the ground and often go for bait left right on the soil. Their burrows can make things tricky, but a live trap near the entrance usually works.
Take a second to figure out what kind of squirrel you’re dealing with. Look at size, tail shape, and how it acts before you pick your trap and bait.
Common Reasons People Catch Squirrels
People usually want to catch squirrels to get them out of attics, stop them from digging up gardens, or to keep them away from bird feeders and pet food.
Homeowners get especially annoyed when squirrels chew wires or build nests in insulation. If a squirrel gets into your living space, some folks use a blanket or a one-way device to guide it out.
Check local rules—lots of places have strict laws about moving wildlife. If squirrels keep coming back, it’s better to block their entry points and use squirrel-proof feeders instead of trapping over and over.
Proven Methods for Catching Squirrels
You can catch squirrels without hurting them if you use a live trap, pick the right bait, handle indoor visitors carefully, and release the animal somewhere safe and close by. You’ll need to pay attention to trap size, where you put it, how often you check it, and what your local laws say.
Using Humane Traps Safely
Get a metal live-catch cage, about 16 inches long or bigger, if you’re after tree squirrels. Put the trap on flat ground where the squirrel usually eats or sneaks into your attic.
Anchor the trap so it doesn’t tip if the squirrel thrashes around. Set the trigger gently and test it before you add bait.
Check traps at least once a day—twice if it’s really hot or cold. When you handle a closed trap, wear thick gloves to avoid getting bitten or scratched.
If the squirrel looks sick or hurt, call a wildlife rehabber or pest control pro. Don’t try to move it yourself.
Laws can get weird about wildlife. Some places ban moving animals or want you to have a permit. If you’re not sure, just ask animal control or your local wildlife agency.
Best Bait Choices for Squirrel Traps
Go for strong-smelling, fatty baits: peanut butter on bread, shelled peanuts, sunflower seeds, or apple chunks. Peanut butter is a classic because it sticks to the bait board and keeps the squirrel busy at the trigger.
Skip dairy, cooked meat, and anything moldy. Use just enough bait so the squirrel has to reach in to get it.
If one bait doesn’t work, switch it up after a couple days. Sometimes a little trail of bait leading into the trap helps make them less suspicious.
Trying to catch a squirrel near a bird feeder? Put bait near the feeder pole or at the base of a tree where you always see them climbing.
How to Trap Squirrels Indoors
First, figure out how the squirrel got in—look for gaps in soffits, attic vents, or holes in eaves. Seal up all exits except one you can watch.
Put a single-cage trap along that path, close to the entry or near a food source.
Work quietly at night or early morning when squirrels aren’t as jumpy. If one’s loose in your house, try the blanket trick: wait till it’s distracted by food, toss a sheet over it, and slide it into a box.
Always wear gloves and don’t corner the squirrel—it might bite if it feels trapped.
After you get the squirrel out, seal every entry with metal flashing or 1/4-inch hardware cloth. Check your attic for nests and droppings, and clean up any mess left behind.
How to Relocate Squirrels Responsibly
First, make sure your local rules actually let you relocate squirrels. If it’s allowed, pick a wooded spot that’s within about a mile of where you caught the squirrel. That way, it can still find food and shelter it knows.
If you move it too far, you might put the animal at risk. So, stick close.
Use a covered cage for transport. Try to release the squirrel at dawn or dusk, since that’s when predators aren’t as active.
Set the trap on the ground, open the door, and then just step back. Give the little guy a moment to figure things out and run off.
Definitely avoid releasing squirrels near busy roads, farms with livestock, or someone else’s yard. You don’t want to create new problems.
Jot down the spot and time where you let the squirrel go. If you notice the same squirrel coming back—or if you keep trapping more—maybe it’s time to call a wildlife control service. They can help you figure out what’s attracting them and how to stop future visits.
