Squirrels are cute, but they are not very polite when it comes to your belongings. Everything from trashcans and birdfeeders to potted plants, flowerbeds, and more are prime targets for nuisance squirrel tampering. If the squirrels around your property are getting into all your things, it is time to stop them in their tracks.

Continue below to learn some safe, easy, and humane ways to keep squirrels out of your stuff!

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Squirrel Control Tips

Keeping Squirrels Out of Trashcans

Typically, raccoons and opossums are the critters that carry the reputation for pillaging trashcans and dumpsters. But surprisingly, squirrels will gladly take a dirty dive when a garbage receptacle is open and accessible. Trashcans are essentially a free, all-you-can-eat buffet for squirrels, and they will go out of their way to get inside them. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to keep squirrels out of your trashcans.

Enclosures – Remove access to your trashcans by moving them to an enclosed area, like inside the garage or shed. If this is not an available option for you, look into purchasing a garbage can enclosure. These look like large, wooden laundry hampers with locks.

Bracing – When trashcans fall over, squirrels get a free-for-all. In fact, toppled trashcans are what attracts nuisance squirrel activity in the first place. They remember that these large, plastic cans carry all sorts of delicious scraps. By bracing your trashcans, you can prevent them from falling over and giving squirrels a reason to come by.

Metal – Make the switch to metal trashcans. Metal cannot be chewed through like plastic, so they stand up well to nuisance squirrel tampering. Of course, your municipality might not allow it for your pick-up garbage receptacles, you can use metal cans for the rest of your on-property waste collection needs.

Deterrents – Use a combination of non-toxic critter repellent and critter deterrents to keep your trashcans clear of nuisance squirrel activity. You can make your own repellent by combining capsaicin oil, ground cayenne pepper, and water into a plastic spray bottle. You can also install devices like motion detection sprinklers and lighting to scare off squirrels.

Keeping Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders

Bird feeders are a common target for squirrels. They just love all of the seeds, nuts, and legumes inside conventional birdseed products, and with their climbing and grasping skills, they can easily get into those little hanging houses. Fortunately, there are some ways you can stop squirrels from stealing all of your birdseed.

Safflower Seeds – Squirrels do not like safflower seeds. But birds like cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, finches, and even dogs love them. Fill your birdfeeders with safflower seeds and you will see the nuisance squirrel activity dwindle within a day.

Avoid Trees – Squirrels are excellent climbers and leapers. For this reason, it is recommended to hang your bird feeders far away from trees and tree limbs so that squirrels have less access to them.

Deterrents – Deterrents work well here, too. You can combine a peppery non-toxic squirrel repellent spray and apply it to the pole and base of your bird feeders. Birds will mind it, but squirrels hate the sensation they get from sniffing or licking pepper.

Baffles – Squirrel baffles are cone-shaped domes that you install around a bird pole so that squirrels cannot get access to a birdfeeder. They simply slide off! Baffles are inexpensive and available at your local gardener home improvement store. If you don’t want to buy a baffle, you can just grease the bird feeder pole. Squirrels will just slip off when they try to climb up!

Are you looking for professional squirrel control assistance in the Indy area? Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for licensed and insured animal trapping and removal for squirrels in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Muskrat Removal and Control 101

First and foremost, it is important to understand that animal removal for wildlife like muskrats is exclusively for professionals who are licensed to work with woodland critters. Although you can take matters into your own hands, there are laws governing wildlife removal and control, and the local ordinances may not permit you to do so legally.

For instance, homeowners are not allowed to poison or kill any animal on their property except for mice and rats. Killing or even tampering with a critter classified as exotic, wild, feral, or endangered, especially during their breeding season, can lead to civil and criminal penalties. Most often, homeowners are slapped with a massive fine. It is important to check with your local and state wildlife agencies, wildlife enforcement officer, or county game warden about the regulations surrounding wildlife trapping and control.

Furthermore, professional Indiana wildlife control operators retain the proper training, knowledge, resources, and equipment to safely get rid of muskrats and relocate them to a faraway habitat suited for their species. For these reasons, it is critical that you enlist your muskrat removal and control needs to a qualified authority.

Muskrat Trapping

Two-door live trap cages are the most commonly-used trapping devices for removing nuisance muskrats. These traps are designed in a way to safely capture a muskrat without harming or killing it. More advanced traps are designed for immediate carry and relocation. Your wildlife control operator will use particular types of muskrat-specific bait to attract muskrats to the traps, such as fruits and vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and apples, or even aniseed (anise). They will also know how to tactfully position the trap for the highest chances of success.

Muskrat Repellent

After your trusted wildlife control operator has successfully caught and removed the local nuisance muskrats that have been disturbing your property, you can take matters into your own hands with some animal-proofing work. Not only can you fill muskrat den holes with heavy rocks and lower the level of your pond by 2 feet in the winter, but you can also make your own, non-toxic animal repellent!

This can help abate future muskrat activity. Get yourself a large plastic spray bottle and fill it 3/4^th of the way with clean water. Then add putrescent egg, capsaicin oil, and cayenne. Spray the solution around the perimeter of your property or in areas where muskrats like to hang out. Be sure to keep children and pets away from treated areas.

Are you looking for trusted, professional assistance with nuisance wildlife like muskrats and beavers? Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for licensed and insured muskrat removal services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Stuff