What are some ways to kill a squirrel in the yard

Squirrels can be persistent and cause hundreds of dollars of damage to Portland property and vegetation. If you really want to get rid of that pesky vermin destroying your yard, let’s kill them!

NEED PRO HELP? If you need professional squirrel removal across the entire USA, this website lists professional squirrel killers, trappers, and squirrel prevention experts in ever city in the country: squirrel-attic.com and it also has a ton of do-it-yourself squirrel information.

There are traps available that are designed not to entrap the animal, but actually kill it by crushing its body. Snap traps or jaw traps can be readily purchased at almost any Oregon feed or hardware store. They are reasonably priced and require no special permits or expertise to install. Just set the trap, bait, and wait. Do not use a snap trap intended for rats. It is not strong enough to kill a fully grown squirrel. You will be left with a maimed creature you have to finish off. Either way, using a trap will leave you messy body to dispose of afterward Attempting to poison the squirrels is another option. There is any number of powerful poisons available on the market. A few of the more common are Arsenic, White Phosphorus, Bromethalin, Crimidine, Thallium, or Strychnine. The come in powders, pellets and blocks. Many are flavored to taste like food. Unfortunately they are most commonly used for rats and mice and most poisons only make squirrels sick. It is also illegal to poison squirrels. Please note: these poisons can be highly toxic to you, your family, and your pets.



Shooting squirrels is another viable option to rid you of these Portland pests. Be sure that you have a high enough caliber weapon to do the job. A regular BB gun will not take out an adult squirrel. Hunting Oregon squirrels is legal because they are considered a sport game in most countries. If you have the right sized weapon, ample ammunition and are a good enough marksman, this might be your answer. Not only can you clear your yard, but you can put food on the table too! Another popular option is electrocution. There are several pressure plate traps on the market designed to zap the creature when it steps on the plate to retrieve the bait. The batteries need to be replaced every 8 -10 uses, and the plate thoroughly cleaned. Often a full grown Portland squirrel is only stunned by this device and must be Zapped two or three times to die.

Ground squirrels can be eradicated by gassing or flooding the tunnels where they live. Any creatures that are not killed during these actions will find their living quarters undesirable and move away. No matter how you decide to handle your Portland squirrel problem, it is always a good an idea to consult the experts. Contact your local animal control agency or agricultural extension. They will be happy to help!

To learn more about our services, visit the Portland wildlife removal home page.