Wilds in danger

[SammysMom]

I don't know if there is something I can do or not, but I have a neighbor who is having squirrels "removed" because they have gotten into his attic. He has a Wildlife Removal service that is trapping every squirrel he can get and "relocating them to a local park". I know he is killing them and I am freaking out.
I have tried reasoning with the neighbor to no avail. The serviceman is NOT interested and gets a bonus $10 per squirrel so he is motivated to catch every squirrel in the neighborhood. He says he will live trap for several days and then begin using snap traps for the more difficult ones to catch!!! What the H*LL can I do???

[astra]

Oh Goodness!
I don't know... how many squirrels are there?... would you be able to give $15 for each squirrel to the guy so that you could relocate them yourself?...
I would contribute some if you have a paypal account?...

Can't think of anything else at the moment.
Maybe, ppl will come up with better suggestions.

But let me know - I will donate some if the service guy agrees to give you the squirrels for relocation.

[mugzeezma]

YOu can tell him that removing the squirrels is not the issue but rather that they can gain access.
No matter how many squirrels he removes ...more will move in...
How much money does he want to WASTE???

that's how I would go about it...hit him in the pocket

[SammysMom]

Thank-you Astra, but I offered the neighbor and the serviceman $25 each per squirrel and they both declined. I am so upset. I have been wondering where my regulars were for a couple of days and then I saw the truck an went straight over. He said he's trapping on the roof first and then the yard. His yard abuts mine!! I requested that he not trap on the ground but I am pretty sure this S.O.B. is now almost enjoying me being so upset by this. I am sick!!!

[SammysMom]

Mugz, I offered the hardware cloth and explained that they need to be gotten out and then kept out. He is just so stupid!! I gave him the info about using ammonia soaked rags and a loud radio to initially get them to leave. I would provide nest boxes etc. He simply won't listen. My heart is broken. He took away the nursing momma that I have nursed back to health from a huge abscess on her face. He won't even hear my concerns about the babies she left behind...

[astra]

Thank-you Astra, but I offered the neighbor and the serviceman $25 each per squirrel and they both declined. I am so upset. I have been wondering where my regulars were for a couple of days and then I saw the truck an went straight over. He said he's trapping on the roof first and then the yard. His yard abuts mine!! I requested that he not trap on the ground but I am pretty sure this S.O.B. is now almost enjoying me being so upset by this. I am sick!!!
what a.... if he is so about money, what difference does it make to him what happens to the squirrels, whether he kills them or you relocate them?... and if they come back, he'll get more work again, so more money?...

[SammysMom]

The service guy also told the stupid neighbor in front of me that hardware cloth was NOT needed, that wood was all you need. Now correct me if I'm wrong but squirrels CHEW wood!!! I told the neighbor that it sounded like the service wasn't interested in a permanent solution. To top it all off...this is a renter!! He doesn't even own the freakin' house! :sanp3

[mugzeezma]

The service guy also told the stupid neighbor in front of me that hardware cloth was NOT needed, that wood was all you need. Now correct me if I'm wrong but squirrels CHEW wood!!! I told the neighbor that it sounded like the service wasn't interested in a permanent solution. To top it all off...this is a renter!! He doesn't even own the freakin' house! :sanp3

Find out who the landlord is...not sure what to say yet
Does he have a dog or a cat?

this is personal now...
Who is this trapper?
Check out their license... B'tards!!!:soapbox

[mugzeezma]

Arm yourself with some wildlife law!
Get hold of the DNR and let them know what's going on , especially with the momma squirrel...wildlife belongs to the state!

[astra]

Arm yourself with some wildlife law!
Get hold of the DNR and let them know what's going on , especially with the momma squirrel...wildlife belongs to the state!
and... if he is a renter and if this comes to that, you could tell the landlord that squirrels chew wood, that he does need hardware cloth - this "wildlife remover" is certainly not looking for a permanent solution.
I don't know what wildlife laws in CT are, but I am sure, you can't just go and kill squirrels at will like that.

[CritterMom]

If this is not legal, shine a bright light on it. Call the local TV stations - if they don't have anything huge happening they might just show up with their vans and cameras. That will make him popular.

An anonymous Youtube posting that also mentions the name, address and phone number might have some interesting effects.

Be a shame if something were to happen to that trappers truck. You know how they say that sh*% happens? So does sugar...:D

I'm a direct action kind of gal.

[mugzeezma]

If this is not legal, shine a bright light on it. Call the local TV stations - if they don't have anything huge happening they might just show up with their vans and cameras. That will make him popular.

An anonymous Youtube posting that also mentions the name, address and phone number might have some interesting effects.

Be a shame if something were to happen to that trappers truck. You know how they say that sh*% happens? So does sugar...:D

I'm a direct action kind of gal.

I was thinking more in terms of running a hose from his outdoor hose bib into a basement window or a sudden cockroach out break.:D
'''but then
I'm the DEVIL:rotfl

[Jackie in Tampa]

never a worse feeling than this...:Cry
my heart is breaking...
I know the attitude of the twits..I know how you are feeling...
not only are they sweet sqs, they are your sqs and friends...
I hate this...

the truth is...
when a void is created, the territory is open and many will move to the area...and they are all newbies and there will be no matriarch sqs to enforce territory...so void does not help but will create migration.
{ hope I said that welll enough}
So the problem will continue...maybe worse.
I am sick with the mentality of ignorance.

[SquirrelNut]

What an A$$! Just makes me ILL!

I would put NAILS in the tires of the Van!

Would it help to feed the Squirrels down the Block in hope they would stay away from that area??

What about those Pest Control things? The Sonar, etc. Could you place them on your Property near his??

How about putting pepper around his place at night to offend the Squirrels?

Definitely do Utube saying how he took away a Nursing Momma and left the babies to die!

Don't worry he will get his Karma!

[UDoWhat]

never a worse feeling than this...:Cry
my heart is breaking...
I know the attitude of the twits..I know how you are feeling...
not only are they sweet sqs, they are your sqs and friends...
I hate this...

the truth is...
when a void is created, the territory is open and many will move to the area...and they are all newbies and there will be no matriarch sqs to enforce territory...so void does not help but will create migration.
{ hope I said that welll enough}
So the problem will continue...maybe worse.
I am sick with the mentality of ignorance.
All so true. I am just heart broken about this too. Maybe you could follow the truck as it leaves and beg the guy to release the squirrels to you. Or then offer him the $25 per squirrel. I, like CritterMom would take more direct approach. The renter would be the one I would make soooooooooooo miserable that he would not be able to live there. Lots of ways to do that. Use your imagination. Also even call his bluff if nothing else. Go out and start taking pictures of this and tell him you have been told to document this. I hate these people. Killing defenseless animals. Creep. :shakehead

[SammysMom]

Believe me when I tell you that all of those solutions have crossed my mind and more. Unfortunately, this is an urban setting and it is just not possible to do anything without getting myself arrested. I have put bags and bags of peanuts on the other side of my yard. It seems stupid, but it was all that I could think of. It is already attracting others from the other side of the yard. I'm missing several regulars and I am sure there are more to go. I can see the traps on the roof and so far I haven't seen anyone in them since noon. I'm just scared for them because of the snap trap threat. I am so relieved that my Sammy is safely in his big outdoor cage and not released. God was watching out for him when he made him not want to leave his comfy home.
Just praying for the others though...:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Rhapsody]

I don't know what wildlife laws in CT are, but I am sure, you can't just go and kill squirrels at will like that.Dont count your chickens before they hatch.... here in Lakeland, Florida Squirrels are considered Nuisance Animals, therefore, the Law
does not Protect them from people wanting to kill them to rid them from their property (own or rent). :soapbox :shakehead :soapbox

[4skwerlz]

What is the name on his truck? CT has a list of licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators....they must be licensed and/or have permits. Also check your LOCAL LAWS!

http://icwdm.org/VendorsService/CT.aspx

[Jester]

I like squirrelnuts idea of putting something out to offend the squirrels and keep them away. Is there something that squirrels particularly hate and won't go near that you can spray over or near the traps, something that won't look or smell obvious to humans but would to the squirrels? This is a stretch but maybe since dogs are predators dog urine might even frighten them, or maybe if you go into a sporting goods shop they might have bear or wolf or some type of predator-type scent used for hunting purposes that you can leave in the area to frighten off the squirrels.. I have seen products like that there many times.. What about those high pitched rodent repellers that you plug into a wall to keep rodents out of the house, do those repel squirrels too? that you could put one on an extension cord and set it along that edge of your yard closest to there? I'm sorry, I'm just trying to think of a way to help.. :shakehead

[CritterMom]

I bet human urine would do the trick. Get yourself a super soaker and have a keg party. Not really joking.

[SammysMom]

It appears that they are considered nuisances here. Nobody wants to hear about this situation. As for the other ideas, the traps are up on the second story roof and the house is on a very busy city street. I am going to continue to try, but I'm afraid it is pointless. There is just no cure for stupid!
The landlord is foreign and lives out of state. He wasn't eve interested in the last tenants dealing drugs. Thank-you all for caring...I just wish more people did.

[Rhapsody]

:grouphug :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon :grouphug

[UDoWhat]

In Maryland they are considered nuisance too but only if they are in the house or attic or destroying your structures. I know that is what they are doing to the idiots house. However, they can not be trapped or removed if only in the yard and trees just being squirrels. That is MD law. I don't know if that applies to you. So the idiot can't just trap all over outside anywhere. I was thinking maybe you could sit outside and scare the squirrels with a loud noise if they neared the traps. Like one of those air horns. I hate to scare the squirrels away but I would rather that than trapped. Or like CritterMom said a super soaker to scare them away. Still hate these people!:shakehead

Marty

[SammysMom]

The problem is that their yard backs up to ours rather than being side-by-side. I can't reach the area where the traps are so I am luring them away from the house with peanuts and other food. I can see the traps on the roof now as they are moved to the back of the house and so far I haven't seen anyone in them. I never saw them in the ones in front, I just saw the traps when I went over to beg and bribe for their safety. I have gone from more than a dozen for breakfast to 2 breakfast customers. I am trying so hard to keep these 2 safe! I was considering trapping and caging until they are done. Is that too over the top? I only have Sammy's first smaller cage and a couple of small dog crates, but I would try if it won't be too stressful for them. I have the traps already from cat rescue. Kitten traps are perfect. (Which I told the freakin' neighbor I would use for him and he said no!)

[astra]

The problem is that their yard backs up to ours rather than being side-by-side. I can't reach the area where the traps are so I am luring them away from the house with peanuts and other food. I can see the traps on the roof now as they are moved to the back of the house and so far I haven't seen anyone in them. I never saw them in the ones in front, I just saw the traps when I went over to beg and bribe for their safety. I have gone from more than a dozen for breakfast to 2 breakfast customers. I am trying so hard to keep these 2 safe! I was considering trapping and caging until they are done. Is that too over the top? I only have Sammy's first smaller cage and a couple of small dog crates, but I would try if it won't be too stressful for them. I have the traps already from cat rescue. Kitten traps are perfect. (Which I told the freakin' neighbor I would use for him and he said no!)
of course, trapping is stressful... but... if all other options fail, perhaps, that's better than death by snap-trap or whichever mode of killing them that "remover" is using (and he doesn't sound like the "humane-oriented" kind of guy). Initial stress of trapping will eventually subside, esp. once they see that no one is harming them and they get food and water....
hard decision... but what' the alternative?

[mugzeezma]

The sad part of all of this is that it's only a temporary fix and more animals will move into the territory.

The biological upside to all of this (is there one to murder?:shakehead )
is that the stresses of competition will be lessened and new generations will be stronger and healthier for it.
Overcrowding can cause disease to run rampant.
This is why I am taking my animals to release on different sites.

[4skwerlz]

Can hardly stand this thread....went through 5 years of agony saving my sqs from a trapping neighbor.

This is the only thing that worked in terms of getting Wildlife Dept. out there, and it won a 1-year reprieve for my sqs:

Call the FEDERAL wildlife agency. Tell them traps have been placed openly on ROOF (illegal) and that BIRDS (bluejays) are getting in the traps (they don't care about sqs, but BIRDS are very protected). Tell them man plans to put SNAP-TRAPS on roof to kill any remaining animals (ILLEGAL ON ROOF!). Give them the Trapper's name and number.

Federal will likely refer you back to local. Tell them local agency has done nothing. Get the name of the Federal Agent. He will light a fire under local or might tell you to call local back. Make sure you give Local the Fed's name/number and always talk about BIRDS.

What happened in my case was, neighbor got a very scary phone call. Traps were removed within 15 minutes.

I hope this works.

[rozdow]

Try contacting the following people, they may be able to help or give suggestions:

Laurie.Fortin@ct.gov (she works with rehabbers in CT & is familiar with licensed NWremoval people)

lsimon@humanesociety.org (Laura is a rehabber & works for HSUS to resolve human/wildlife conflicts)

What about your local animal control officer??

[SammysMom]

Well the alternative seems to be just feeding them til they can't eat any more at my back door. :D I now have 3 of them parked out there on the porch stuffing themselves with peanuts, almonds, blocks, boo balls and a pile of veggies. Even the birds are getting in on the feast!
I will do whatever I can for sure.

[SammysMom]

I called local AC yesterday and they sai there are no squirrel laws, but gave me DEP wildlife number. Then I called them twice and have gotten no call back. It is still hav-a-hart traps on roof. No sign of snap traps yet. Not sure what is going on but I am going to try some of the contact info from posts here. I can't thank you all enough for your help and suggestions!!!

[rozdow]

If you pester bureaucrats enough they will repond - just to get you off their backs (call, e-mail, call their "superiors" multiple times).

Check your PM (I finally reponded)

[Twi_prime]

Guys, just a thought--is it possible that any federal laws trump state ones in these cases? Is it possible to contact the EPA to ask?

[SammysMom]

I just drove into my driveway and there is a trap just out of my reach on his side of the fence! I can't get at it due to a fence and nobody answers the door! I tried setting it off with the hose on power wash and it didn't set it off. I am so angry!!!
Finally got ahold of the DEP Wildlife division and they say what he is doing is okay unless he does change over to snap traps and puts them out in the open. You can kill squirrels if they are a nuisance. Unbelievable!

[mpetys]

Well the alternative seems to be just feeding them til they can't eat any more at my back door. :D I now have 3 of them parked out there on the porch stuffing themselves with peanuts, almonds, blocks, boo balls and a pile of veggies. Even the birds are getting in on the feast!
I will do whatever I can for sure.


Does anyone think it would help to put nest boxes on SammysMom's property as far away from the property line with this neighbor? You know, provide room and board and maybe that will help keep them away from neighbor's property. Just thinking out loud here.

Michele

[mpetys]

I called local AC yesterday and they sai there are no squirrel laws, but gave me DEP wildlife number. Then I called them twice and have gotten no call back. It is still hav-a-hart traps on roof. No sign of snap traps yet. Not sure what is going on but I am going to try some of the contact info from posts here. I can't thank you all enough for your help and suggestions!!!

This has been eating at my heart, what you are going through and what these squirrels are going through. I found the following at the CT state wildlife website:

Live-trapping gray squirrels, using metal box traps at least two feet long is often the most effective way to remove them. Place traps, baited with apple chunks, peanut butter, or various nuts, in heavily traveled routes or on rooftops, along porch railings, or within the attic. Once trapped, squirrels should be quickly removed from cages and released.

For more information on the management of problem squirrels or for a referral to a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, contact the Wildlife Division.

What stuck out for me was the sentence, "Once trapped, squirrels should be quickly removed from cages and released." I wonder what weight this has? Is there anything in the laws of CT, that require they be quickly removed from cages and released? What do they mean by quickly? Released where?

Below is a link to a pdf file, "Living with Squirrels". While it may be of no use to this neighbor, it is a good read with good information and would be good for all of us to have on hand to hand out to anyone we think we might be able to teach how to co-exist wtih squirrels on our property. It is from the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association website.
http://www.cwrawildlife.org/images/fs_co9_squirrels.pdf

My heart is with you SammysMom!

Michele

[SammysMom]

I specifically asked about whether they had to be release and the DEP told me "we train the wildlife removal companies to humanely kill them. You can certainly kill squirrels if they are in your house or you feel there are too many. There is nothing to say how many is too many though." I just went over to the house and spoke to the daughter (young adult). "They just need to get rid of them because they keep getting in the house."
Maybe if the F***ing holes were closed they wouldn't be able to get back into the house!!!!!
I am so sick of stupid people!:soapbox

[SammysMom]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I went and bought a super soaker water gun and 2 gallons of ammonia. Hopefully it will deter them. I drenched the area around and in the trap.

[mpetys]

I specifically asked about whether they had to be release and the DEP told me "we train the wildlife removal companies to humanely kill them. You can certainly kill squirrels if they are in your house or you feel there are too many. There is nothing to say how many is too many though." I just went over to the house and spoke to the daughter (young adult). "They just need to get rid of them because they keep getting in the house."
Maybe if the F***ing holes were closed they wouldn't be able to get back into the house!!!!!
I am so sick of stupid people!:soapbox

Don't these people realize that they are not solving their problem. Besides, if they do not fix the holes, the openings where the squirrels are getting in, then others can enter. Even a bee just needs a small opening to get in and they will find it. My husband is a beekeeper and he removes beehives all the time. One guy just bought a house and as he was getting it ready to move in, he discovered bees in the overhang. After my husband removed them, he told the guy he needed to inspect the house for other openings before more bees moved in. The new owner said that he had a home inspector already do that. Hubby walked around the property and showed him about 15 places where bees could re-enter.

[SammysMom]

Or even the grackles that fly in and out of at least one of the holes in his house! They are paying the guy $185 and then $10ea squirrel. Quite a racket if you ask me! Go to the neighbor's house where they feed the birds and squirrels and get a $10 commission for every one you catch! Talk about fish in a barrel!

[Moneypenny4M]

I don't know if there is something I can do or not, but I have a neighbor who is having squirrels "removed" because they have gotten into his attic. He has a Wildlife Removal service that is trapping every squirrel he can get and "relocating them to a local park". I know he is killing them and I am freaking out.
I have tried reasoning with the neighbor to no avail. The serviceman is NOT interested and gets a bonus $10 per squirrel so he is motivated to catch every squirrel in the neighborhood. He says he will live trap for several days and then begin using snap traps for the more difficult ones to catch!!! What the H*LL can I do???

Sounds like a VERY shoddy wildlife removal operation. They are supposed to ONLY get ones that are actually INSIDE a building, not non-target ones, and release them.:nono

[SammysMom]

Unfortunately they are the ones who decide who the "Target" is! This really sucks!

[SammysMom]

Okay so I get up at 6am and look out the bedroom window and there are 3 traps set in addition to the one that became suddenly disabled late last night! I went out to super soak them in ammonia to discover that there is a squirrel already in one of them. I was in my pajamas so I went back in and got dressed got my extension pole for a paintbrush and prayed that the stupid neighbor didn't see me dragging the trap over to the fence and releasing the poor guy. Mission accomplished, but I have to go to work and God only knows what will go on while I am gone. Please say a prayer for these poor unsuspecting creatures. I guess this bas**rd really needs that $10! :sanp3

[JakesLittlePrincess]

Glad you got to the little one in time. I am so sorry this is happening to you.

[Jackie in Tampa]

All so true. I am just heart broken about this too. Maybe you could follow the truck as it leaves and beg the guy to release the squirrels to you. Or then offer him the $25 per squirrel. I, like CritterMom would take more direct approach. The renter would be the one I would make soooooooooooo miserable that he would not be able to live there. Lots of ways to do that. Use your imagination. Also even call his bluff if nothing else. Go out and start taking pictures of this and tell him you have been told to document this. I hate these people. Killing defenseless animals. Creep. :shakehead
I think I would too...
yes, take pictures...
yes tell them you were told to document the traps and the trappings...
taking the pics when you know they will see you...
let them know your passion...
make them feel guilty {if they have any kind of conscious}

seeing they are renters...I would make their life helll.
if you have a friend with a very obnoxious loud big dog, that may help to scatter the sqs and drive the neighbor nuts with barking...
have all night parties..
Play the radio too loud...
anything to tick the buttheads off and scare the sqs away...

as for the trapper, they are usually untouchable...it's about $$ and numbers...nothing worse than a trapper...
there is a place in hell waiting trappers! :devil
Glad you are on it!!! Run sqs...run!

[SammysMom]

With hubby's help all of the traps are now unset and soaked with ammonia. I am so angry! This is a guy who moved here from a neighborhood where he had his car broken into 4 times and stolen once. Gunshots on a regular basis. My squirrel troubles seem very small in comparison I'm afraid. I wil continue to battle though!tinfoil

[JakesLittlePrincess]

Ok, so I talked to my friend who is an exterminator because I keep seeing all of these idiots killing squirrels. He is licensed in PA & NJ so the laws where all you guys are may be different and you will need to check into it. Here you must live trap and release squirrels. You may not kill them unless they are sick or overpopulated. How do you know if they are overpopulated? You need to call the Dept. of Agriculture in your area and speak with them. They are also good to talk to about questionable ethics of these exterminators. Here exterminators are required to humanely euthanize them in their company's gas chamber. Sad, I know but better than being bludgeoned as some are. He definitely recommended to call Dept. of Ag. as well as your local wildlife municipality and even Park Rangers should you have them in your area. Perhaps if these people see all these officials coming out and speaking with you they will stop their idiocy. I hope some of this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions because I will be glad to relay them.

[SammysMom]

Okay, here's an update:
When I came home from work there are NO traps in sight! :thumbsup
Perhaps our releasing and unsetting paid off. I just know that the Lord is watching out for my neighbor. If anything more had happened I had decided that I would use that "first offender" get out of jail free card an just flat our destroy the traps and leave the pieces on his front porch.
Kinda nice to know I still have that card available when needed. I'm sure that some other idiot will come along and I will still be able to punch them in the face and take the "pinch".
I cant thank all of you enough for all of your help and support!
Thank-you to Chris for getting out the first nest box so fast!!!
God bless all of you!

[Moneypenny4M]

Okay, here's an update:
When I came home from work there are NO traps in sight! :thumbsup
Perhaps our releasing and unsetting paid off. I just know that the Lord is watching out for my neighbor. If anything more had happened I had decided that I would use that "first offender" get out of jail free card an just flat our destroy the traps and leave the pieces on his front porch.
Kinda nice to know I still have that card available when needed. I'm sure that some other idiot will come along and I will still be able to punch them in the face and take the "pinch".
I cant thank all of you enough for all of your help and support!
Thank-you to Chris for getting out the first nest box so fast!!!
God bless all of you!

Keep an eye on his yard at night and when he thinks you're alone and not able to do as much. Look out VERY first thing in the morning. And if you see anything, TAKE PICTURES. tinfoil