Originally Posted by
Gabe
Here's a trick I use. I have raccoons in my woods, so when I open release cages, I don't open the door. Instead I cut a small 3"X3" hole at shoulder height in the cage, my squirrels come and go all winter, I never have to check to see if they're all in before closing the door, and those %#&*@ bluejays don't steal their food all day long.
When I'm done, I use a few small cable ties and put a piece of hardware cloth over the hole until next time.
The important thing with this is never scoot them out the door, they need to find that hole to get out, or they won't find it to get in.
Using this technique, I never have to worry about wintering over and can always let them make the choice. I probably should have mentioned this in my first post, it would have made more sense.