Ways to catch a squirrel in the forest alive. How to catch a squirrel with home appliances How to attract a squirrel to a summer cottage

Recipes 29.08.2019
Recipes

Most people living outside the city do everything possible to evict squirrels from their territory. However, if you like these cute furry animals and would like to see them in the garden more often, this is easy to arrange. Everything homemade squirrels need - a big tree and food. If you want them to become your permanent neighbors, you can build a special hut for them. It is easy to make a squirrel house with your own hands, using a few wooden boards and an old car tire. You don't need any special carpentry skills.

We make a house for squirrels: materials and tools

  • a piece of 20 mm plywood measuring 30 * 30 cm
  • a piece of 20 mm plywood measuring 30 * 45 cm
  • wood glue
  • a hammer
  • nails
  • ladder
  • old car tire
  • dry leaves
  • dry corn kernels

How to make a house for squirrels

1. Using glue and nails, join two pieces of plywood together. Lay the larger one on a flat surface. Attach the smaller one to it at a 90-degree angle so that they are in contact with the short sides. Apply a little wood glue to the joint, align the edges and knock down the walls with nails.

2. Choose a suitable large tree, put a stepladder to it, standing on which you could hang the workpiece at a height of 5-6 meters. To make the house warmer, it is better to place it on the south side of the trunk. So domestic squirrels will not suffer from gusts of cold wind.

3. Using nails and a hammer, attach the workpiece to the tree. The short wall should be adjacent to the trunk, and the long wall should be perpendicular to it and parallel to the ground. For fixing, use a minimum of 6 nails (one in each corner of the smaller wall and two in the center). Check if the workpiece is securely fixed. If it wobbles, drive in a few more nails. Now the house has a porch.

4. Put an old car tire on the "floor" of the porch. Attach it to the tree with nails. Drive a few nails into the top and bottom of the tire where it meets the barrel. Drive in additional nails if necessary. If desired, you can use self-tapping screws, in which case you need to have a screwdriver on hand.

5. Pour dry leaves inside the tire, which will serve as a kind of insulation. You can use dry corn cob wraps. With the onset of cold weather, it is desirable to increase the layer of bedding so that the squirrels at home are warmer and more comfortable.

6. Pour dry corn on the porch of the house.

At the end of summer, clean the interior of the house. This will kill the bacteria that can cause bad odor and disease in your squirrels. Remove and discard the old "insulation" and replace it with a new one. When cleaning the squirrel house, be sure to use rubber gloves to prevent contact with harmful microorganisms.

By the way, if you prefer dogs as animals on the site, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with our material.

Check your home for entrances and exits. Look around in the attic or area of ​​the house where you may have heard sounds from squirrel claws. If you find more than one hole, plug all but the main one so that the squirrel has only one way to get in and out. Set a trap in this place.

  • Block off all possible entrances by attaching pieces of galvanized steel material around the openings using a staple fixing machine.
  • This is best done early in the morning when the squirrel is likely to be out in search of food.
  • If you can wait until the midsummer scorching heat hits, then you won't even have to set up a trap to make sure there are animals in the attic. At this time of the year, the squirrels are too hot indoors, so in their absence you will have the opportunity to block all entry / exit points, including the main one.

Search the premises for the presence of small animals. Before you catch and release an adult squirrel, it is very important to find out if there are any tiny squirrels left in the house. Squirrel moms usually hide in attics when they are about to give birth, so the chances of finding a nest somewhere inside walls or beams are quite high. An ordinary squirrel nest can shelter from three to five babies. If you catch a mother squirrel without first rescuing her children, they may die. In addition to being inhumane, leaving babies to die, in addition to everything else, you provide yourself with an unpleasant smell in the whole house.

  • If, after extensive viewing, the cubs were not found, especially carefully walk along the walls. If you feel incredible warmth in a particular spot on the wall that feels different than the rest of the wall, check to see if that's where the nest might be. In this scenario, you will have to cut a hole to get out the babies, and then patch the wall. Of course, this will add some problems for you, but it's much better than letting them die in the wall.
  • If you find baby squirrels, then determine if they are old enough to leave the nest and survive on their own. If they are still too young to walk, wait a few weeks for their mother to show up. Otherwise, the children will starve in the nest.
  • Install a one-way door at the main entrance. Start by attaching a piece of galvanized steel to the inside wall of the main entrance, leaving a large opening at the bottom for the squirrel to climb through. Bend the bottom of the galvanized steel towards the outside so that it forms a tube-like shape. Slightly bend inward the teeth on the product. The squirrel is able to squeeze through this hole and get out, but will not be able to go back.

    Squirrels are perhaps the most graceful and energetic of the rodent family. They attract us with their color and boundless energy. They get used to a person very well, and especially to a place where a person constantly feeds them. If trees grow on your site, then attracting squirrels to the site will not be difficult. When purchasing squirrels for breeding, you should not take into account the composition of the pair, since squirrels are polygamous, males and females meet only during the rut, and the sex ratio during this period is as follows: there are two or more males per female. From this number of males, the female chooses the strongest and healthiest, and mates with him.
    What you need to know when choosing a squirrel:
    Benefits of protein
    squirrels are very affectionate and friendly
    if the squirrel is tamed, you can walk with it without a leash
    the cleanest of the rodents
    Virtually no odor left behind
    surprise with the prudence of their behavior and trusting
    Difficulties in keeping proteins in the apartment
    squirrels molt
    do not breed well indoors
    can escape through the window from any floor
    wild squirrels scratch painfully and bite without knowing pity
    may remain indifferent to the person
    Squirrel sizes
    Small and medium squirrels can have a body length of 20 to 31 cm. Weight up to 1 kg. The length of the tail is 20-31 cm. The tail is densely covered with hair. The length of the tail may be greater than the length of the body or approximately equal to it. The hind limbs are powerful and longer than the front. The animal is very decorated with dark tassels on the ears and shiny lively eyes.
    Homeland of origin of squirrels
    Spread throughout the globe, except for the area of ​​Australia, Madagascar, southern part South America(Patagonia, Chile, most of Argentina), polar regions and some deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and ARE. There are about 50 species. They inhabit a wide variety of landscapes: forests, open plains, deserts, tundras, mountains, from the tropics to the Arctic. They lead a terrestrial and arboreal lifestyle. Greater number species are still adapted to woody. In Russia, there are only 2 species - this is an ordinary squirrel and Persian.
    The Persian squirrel is mainly found only in the forests of Transcaucasia. Her fur is coarse and has no commercial value. Few and not as attractive as common squirrels.
    Common squirrel lives in large numbers in taiga zone European part, in the Urals and in Siberia. In the past, one of the main objects of the fur trade. Squirrels live in the taiga, in mixed and deciduous forests, adhering to old massifs rich in forage.
    AT coniferous forests feed on seeds conifers, in deciduous - acorns, beech nuts and hazel. Squirrels eat various berries and mushrooms, flower buds, fruits, catch beetles and butterflies that land on trees, and sometimes ruin bird nests by drinking eggs and eating chicks.
    conditions for protein
    To keep the squirrel, you need a spacious cage. Approximate dimensions of the cage per one G protein: height 60 cm, length and width - 50 cm each. The frame must be metal, because. The squirrel will try to get free. Cover the frame with a metal mesh with cells of 10 - 15 square meters. mm. If the cage is located on the street or on the balcony, it is worth making a gable roof of tin over it, if there is no need to make a roof in the apartment. Outside the cage, a wheel and a nest should be attached. The cage must have shelves, branches, snags so that the animal can actively move. But not only for this. The squirrel needs to constantly grind off its claws, otherwise they will grow so much that the animal will hardly move along the dirt and wooden floor, “stick” with its claws to the fabric. The animal during the light period is constantly active, inquisitive, quickly moves from one activity to another.
    Hard times for squirrels come during molting. Some animals become lethargic, drowsy, while others, on the contrary, become more active or behave as usual.
    spring molt at common squirrel occurs immediately after the estrus. In males, the molt begins earlier and drags on until mid-summer. Females molt later than males, but more intensively, it ends by the birth of baby squirrels.
    Feeding squirrels
    The main food of the squirrel is various plant foods: spruce seeds, pines, berries and fruits, nuts, fresh or dried mushrooms, tree buds and shoots. Sometimes it eats insects. The egg can be given raw, but fresh. For the prevention of infectious diseases and poisoning egg better boiled.
    Approximate diet of captive squirrels per day: 10 - 15 g white bread, 15 - 20 g of nuts, 20 - 25 g of fruits or berries, which can be replaced with dry ones in winter.
    Animals love sunflower seeds, pumpkins, cereals, spruce, pine cones. They eat vegetables well - carrots, acorns, tree buds. In addition to water, they drink juices, milk, tea. AT winter period in juicy food or in drink for the prevention of beriberi, you can add a little bee honey, vitamins A, D, E in oil 1 time per week per animal.
    Squirrels are very fond of cheese and cottage cheese. Do not give sweet candies, etc.
    All foods given to the animal must be well processed. It's better to give raw vegetables and fruit, but never fried. Sunflower seeds cannot be baked, they must be given raw. Feed the animal twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
    Practical Tips for Handling Proteins
    Shedding begins around the eyes, on the head and down the back to the tail, then passes to the sides and limbs. Autumn molt starts at the base of the tail and moves along the back to the head, while the hind limbs shed. At this time, the males are the first to molt, after the end of the rut. Adult females that did not have a second brood molt earlier than females that brought a second litter. Moulting of young squirrels approximately coincides with the terms of molting of adult females.
    Molting occurs gradually and does not bring much trouble when cleaning the room in which the squirrel lives. For prevention, the cage can be scalded with boiling water once a month. Usually the cage is cleaned once a week. To eliminate the smell, you can use a solution of bleach and a weak solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate). For convenience, the retractable part of the bottom of the cage is covered with medium-sized plastic or plexiglass. Protein waste should be periodically removed and washed off by washing the insert soapy water. It is often not worth disturbing the squirrel's nest. She loves her scent and is experiencing new ones. Squirrels are very clean and put things in order in their nest.
    To build a nest, the animal needs building material. Put pieces of fabric, scraps of woolen yarn, sawdust, a small amount of cotton wool, straw into the cage.
    In order to prevent the animal’s hair from spreading around the apartment during the next molt, install plates 10 cm high around the perimeter of the base of the cage.
    Records can be made from cardboard, plywood, glass, plastic or plexiglass.
    There should always be a drinking bowl with fresh water in the cages.
    In the suburbs, in summer cottages, squirrels often drink from large iron barrels. They hook with their hind legs to the edge of the barrel and bend low towards the water. Some weakened animals cannot straighten up and drown.
    The feeder is attached to the walls of the cage or placed in a hijack, in which the squirrel cannot turn it over with its sharp movements. Two feeders are needed - for dry and wet food. Wash feeders every day. The animal will not eat contaminated food

    So that a squirrel settles in a summer cottage; you don’t need much: a small forest or a grove, and birdhouses that you hospitably hung for the birds. Then a squirrel will appear and make a big scandal!

    The first time I met squirrels while walking in a large old park. These animals we have here are tame, if you're lucky, you can even touch them. Feeding little fluffy beauties is a great joy for visitors.

    We walked around and had a picnic. We sat down on the shore of the pond, took out a thermos with tea, sandwiches ... And suddenly, from somewhere above: “Tsok-tsok-tsok!” And soon a red-haired miracle appeared, stopped in front of us in indecision, shifting with
    paws to paws. We rushed to look: who is the camera - to capture the moment, who is the nuts - to regale the guest. At first, the squirrel was embarrassed and wanted to run away, but curiosity overpowered (what curious squirrels are!).

    The little animal picked up the nut thrown to her, took it aside and hid it in fallen leaves, returned for a new one. Soon all our supplies migrated to the guest. The squirrel got a taste and didn’t take the next nut, but right out of his hands with force!

    Then the squirrel completely got used to it: she liked carrying nuts so much that she climbed onto my jacket along my legs, like on a tree, and - you won’t believe it - in search of treats, like a real policeman, she searched my pockets! And then the real fun began! The squirrel examined our clothes, sniffed the tea, tasted a piece of sandwich. But she did not like bread and sausage. Realizing that there was nothing more to take from us, the squirrel ran away. But we still remember that red-haired cunning with a smile.

    Bird communal apartment

    And soon we had a cottage surrounded by small forest, several trees were left on the site itself. I hung two birdhouses for tits and sparrows. And life began to boil in them: someone moves in, someone flies away. But one day I look - it’s not a bird sitting in the birdhouse, but an impudent squirrel’s muzzle peeps out. Why cheeky? Because the squirrel unceremoniously kicks birds out of the houses, and does it with a big scandal.

    I went to look at the guest closer, then she turned away and plugged the bird's window with her red tail. There is nothing, they say, to invade private territory. Then the birds flew in and began to resent noisily, because there were already supplies in the house. But, alas, the apartment is occupied!

    Generally speaking, a squirrel is not the best animal to give: it destroys bird nests, which means that birds will not live with you, and, as a result, there will be more insects.

    But my love for squirrels has overpowered me, I just can’t drive out this cunning animal. Therefore, I console myself with the fact that the squirrel will drive away the starlings, and they, in turn, will not peck at my cherry!

    If you, too, cannot resist the charm of a red-haired beauty, then my tips on how to lure the animal will come in handy.

    • The main thing is that the forest is somewhere nearby. The squirrels must come from somewhere.
    • There should be tall trees on the site, at least one (pine, birch, spruce) so that the animal can hide and feel safe.
    • Arriving at the dacha in winter and early spring, under
    • Feed your protein. Build a large feeder and pour nuts, seeds (not fried!), Pieces of dried vegetables into it.
    • Hang on in early spring tall tree squirrel. This is an ordinary birdhouse, but it should hang much higher, somewhere in the middle or closer to the top of the tree.
    • In the season when you visit the dacha often, feed the squirrels regularly. Before you put a nut in the feeder, first knock it on wood. This sound attracts the squirrel.

    So that the squirrel does not offend the birds and does not drive them out of the house, hang additional birdhouses with a small notch (so that the squirrel does not crawl through) and upholstered with tin on the outside (so that it does not gnaw through them).

    It is one of the cutest representatives of the animal world, gaining popularity as a pet. Until recently, it was believed that it was very difficult to tame such a pretty creature, because a wild inhabitant of the forest is unlikely to allow himself to be picked up and allowed to stroke his red fur.

    And yet, why not try to make friends with this shy animal if he settled in the neighborhood in the nearest park or became an inhabitant of your home? How to tame a squirrel with wild nature a large number of enemies and not trusting anyone, including a person?

    Getting Started

    The beginning of acquaintance and, possibly, close friendship in the future with a new pet is recommended to start with the arrangement of the house, which can be used as a large cage or a spacious aviary. It is advisable to cover the floor with sawdust, a couple of snags, twigs and small tree trunks for climbing. After all, the animal is very mobile and needs constant grinding of rapidly growing claws.

    The house itself must be installed in a place where the squirrel would be most comfortable: away from prying eyes, in some secluded corner with the exception of direct sunlight.

    In order for the animal to stop being afraid, at first it does not need to be disturbed, giving time to get used to the environment and new smells. You should know that for a squirrel, the location of surrounding objects plays a significant role. Changing the location of the cage can become stressful for the red creature, which will negatively affect its behavior.

    How to behave with a new pet? How to tame a squirrel? During the first week, it is recommended to be in the field of view of the animal more often, letting him know that there is no threat from the owner.

    What to feed protein?

    All the time should be monitored so that the pet is fed. According to the prevailing opinion of many people, as well as illustrations from children's books, the squirrel prefers to eat nuts: forest, cedar, walnuts. What do squirrels eat besides nuts? In the diet of a pet, you can include seeds of pine, spruce, sunflower, dry and fresh mushrooms, acorns, apples, pears, carrots, white crackers.

    Of the berries, the squirrel will gladly treat itself to blueberries, raspberries, viburnum, mountain ash, blueberries, currants, and cherries. It will be happy to gnaw on the buds, shoots and bark of shrubs and tree species. In winter, the animal will not refuse dried fruits. The recommended number of feedings is 2 times a day; serving size is 50 grams. Ordinary water is suitable for drinking; You can also try giving your pet iced tea without sugar.

    One of the elements of taming a forest dweller is hand feeding. First, the squirrel must remember who puts food in its cage. Over time, when the animal ceases to be frightened, you can try to bring an open hand with nuts or other food closer to it, while affectionately addressing the pet by name. Hands should not smell of perfume, detergents and other fragrances not found in nature.

    Name for a squirrel

    It is recommended that the squirrel be given a name to which it should be accustomed from the very first days of being in the house. It should be easy to remember and clearly pronounced. You need to address the pet by name when communicating with him, feeding, stroking. Over time, the squirrel will learn its name and even begin to respond to it: turn its head when it is addressed.

    In keeping, squirrels are very neat animals, they are unpretentious in care. During the day they are awake. Living in spacious enclosures, they are able to bring offspring. Pregnancy lasts approximately 35 days. It is better to accustom a forest animal to the home lifestyle with early age, therefore, it is better to start a small squirrel at home as a pet, who can forget about his former way of life in just a few days. Adults brought from the forest get used very hard and can even die from boredom. The average lifespan in captivity is about 11 years.

    The squirrel got used to it. Further actions

    When the squirrel gets used to the home environment, you can try to release it. The animal must leave the cage on its own, without coercion. Also, he must return to his house on his own. You should know that any taming and teaching something to a squirrel should always be accompanied by a delicious treat.

    The most difficult event in the process of taming is stroking the animal. The first attempts to touch the fur can be made after a long time of acquaintance with the animal, which at that time is already completely used to the owner. You can do this while eating. For the first time, 1-2 strokes will be enough, over time, their number can be increased. Subsequently, she will begin to get used to being touched and may even let you scratch her behind the ear and stroke her head.

    How to tame a squirrel in the country?

    How to make friends with a squirrel that lives in a nearby park, in a country house or on the territory of a private house, planted coniferous trees? The principle of operation is the same as when establishing contact with a pet. A delicious treat is a great stimulus for establishing communication. For a long time, it is recommended to put nuts in the same place.

    What do squirrels eat besides nuts? You can lure a forest dweller with seeds or cones, and be yourself near this place with treats, in the field of view of squirrels. At this time, cute animals can be invited to dinner.

    A few tricks

    How to call a squirrel? You can, for example, take 2-3 nuts and start clicking them loudly against each other. Gradually, the animals will get used to such feeding and will calmly perceive the person who brings them treats. At this moment, when contact is practically established, part of the food can be left in the outstretched palm. With a high probability, the red-haired creature will dare to climb down from the tree on his hand to treat himself to his portion of food. This is most likely if the principle of separate nutrition is applied: you can put ordinary food in the cage, and stretch out some goodies in the palm of your hand.

    It should be understood that not every squirrel can be tamed enough to be stroked and picked up. Some individuals, if handled carelessly and for protection purposes, may even bite.

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