What Is the Best Way to Catch Squirrels? Proven Trapping & Bait Tips

You can catch squirrels without hurting them if you use a humane live trap, bait they love, and handle everything with care. Set up a sturdy live cage with peanut butter or nuts, check it every day, and put it where squirrels usually hang out. This approach protects the animal and keeps you safe, too.

You’ll find some practical tips here for picking the right trap, choosing bait that actually works, and setting things up so squirrels go in but don’t get hurt. If trapping isn’t your thing, there are alternatives, and a few simple tricks can help keep squirrels from coming back.

Best Ways to Catch Squirrels

Try a humane cage or a quick-kill trap that fits the squirrel species and their habits. Put the trap flat near runways, entry points, or where you see them eating, and use peanut butter or nuts with a strong smell for bait.

Check your local rules before you start, and always use gloves when you handle trapped squirrels.

Choosing the Right Squirrel Trap

Pick a trap that’s the right size for tree squirrels—something around 10–14 inches wide and 24–36 inches long. For ground squirrels, go with a smaller tube-style trap.

If you only have one squirrel causing trouble, a single-door live cage works well. For a bunch of squirrels, try a multi-catch or repeating trap.

If you want to remove them without harm, get a humane trap with a solid build and a trigger that works reliably. The animal shouldn’t be able to hurt itself inside.

Look for traps made of sturdy metal that are easy to clean. Test the trigger before you actually set it out—make sure it trips easily.

If squirrels are inside, like in the attic, use a one-way exclusion door and put a trap outside their usual exit.

Selecting Effective Squirrel Bait

Smear peanut butter on the far end of the trap so the squirrel has to go all the way in. Whole nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts work, too, if you put them deep inside.

If they’re raiding bird feeders, try sunflower seeds or corn. For squirrels that like fruit, toss in some apple slices or banana.

Skip the processed sweets—they don’t seem to care for those as much.

Use just enough bait so the squirrel has to enter the trap fully to get it. If they ignore the trap, change up the bait. Always use fresh bait and replace it if it gets wet or moldy, so the smell stays strong.

Setting Up and Placing Traps

Put traps along visible squirrel paths, next to tree trunks, or a couple feet from attic entry holes. Set the trap flat and anchor it with a stake or some rope so it doesn’t move.

Check the traps at least twice a day—once in the morning and again in the late afternoon. This way, if you catch something, you can release it quickly and avoid stressing the animal.

If you’re setting traps outside, camouflage them with leaves or branches, but keep the trigger area clear. In attics or walls, place traps where you spot droppings, chewed insulation, or greasy marks.

Always wear gloves when you handle traps. It’ll help hide your scent and keep you safe from bites.

Humane and Legal Considerations

Look up your local wildlife laws before you do any trapping. Some places don’t allow relocation, or you might need a permit.

If you can release the squirrel, take it several miles away to avoid territorial fights and spreading disease. If the squirrel seems hurt or you’re not sure about the rules, call wildlife control or a rehabilitator.

If you use lethal traps, pick ones that kill instantly to avoid suffering, and follow local rules for disposal. Always wear gloves when handling squirrels, and wash traps with soap and disinfectant after each use to get rid of scent and reduce disease risk.

Practical Trapping Strategies and Alternatives

You’ll get the best results if you match the trap and bait to the squirrel species. Combine humane trapping with prevention—like changing up bird feeders and blocking entry holes.

Use live cage traps for tree squirrels. Think about the squirrel’s habits when you pick bait and spot to set the trap. Stay away from inhumane options.

Trapping Red Squirrels and Other Common Species

Red squirrels are pretty small and quick. Use a smaller live-cage trap or a single-door box trap, and bait it with peanut butter or apple slices.

Put traps on low branches or near tree trunks if you see chew marks or nests. Check traps every few hours during the day—red squirrels get stressed easily if left too long.

For gray or black squirrels, go with a bigger cage trap and use whole nuts or peanut butter at the far end so they have to go all the way in. For ground squirrels, try tube or burrow traps at the entrance to their tunnels.

Never use glue traps—they’re cruel and can seriously injure any squirrel.

Wear gloves when you handle traps, and move slowly to keep the animals calm. If it’s illegal to relocate squirrels where you live, call animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator for advice.

DIY and Store-Bought Trap Options

You can buy a commercial live-cage trap made for squirrels, usually about 12–24 inches long. Havahart and other brands make solid models—look for one with a spring door and a trigger that’s sensitive enough.

Put bait at the far end and hide the trap with leaves or branches if you can, so squirrels don’t get suspicious.

If you want to try a DIY trap, keep it safe and sturdy. A simple one-way door for attics or a baited box with a trip plate can work, but always test the mechanism before you use it.

Never use glue-based DIY traps. They’re inhumane and can cause injury or death.

Check your local laws before you use homemade traps. Clean and disinfect traps after each use to remove scent and avoid spreading disease.

Replace worn-out parts and oil the moving pieces so the doors work every time.

Squirrel-Proofing Bird Feeders and Prevention Tips

Try using weight-sensitive perches that snap shut when a squirrel hops on. Or, just grab a caged feeder—squirrels can’t squeeze in, but smaller birds can.

Mount your feeders on smooth metal poles. Add a baffle at least 4 feet below to block any clever climbers.

Keep feeders at least 10 feet away from launch points like trees or the roof. That extra distance really helps.

Switch up your seed—sunflower chips in a weight-activated feeder bring in birds but make things tricky for squirrels. Clean up spilled seed every day, and stash the rest in a sealed bin.

Cut back lower branches nearby. Seal attic entry points with metal flashing or hardware cloth, so squirrels can’t chew their way in.

If one persistent squirrel keeps showing up, combine prevention with trapping. Plug up entry holes and get rid of easy food sources before you set a trap—makes reinvasion less likely.