Live Trap Garden Pests

 
The rabbits and squirrels are causing quite a bit of damage on my
property.  I live in central PA and decided to call the PA game
commission office to see what could be done.  Since I live in a city,
discharging any kind of firearm is out of the question.  I was told by
the game commission that YES as the property owner I do have the right
to protect my property from damage these critters are causing.  I'll
relocate them about 15 miles from my house on state game land.  Since I
never done any trapping,  I could use any and all advice I can get,
especially as to what types of baits to use during the cold winter
months here in PA.  I'll be using a 24"x7"x7" LIVE trap!

Thanks in advance :)   Rich

 

Consult first any local experts, e.g. Agricultural Extension agents
or college biologists.   Your basic problem is that populations of
rabbits and squirrels (1) vary in numbers, usually according to food
and habitat supply, (2) spread out to fill any vacant space that
suits them.  If you remove rabbits and squirrels this month,
quite probably you will get just as many a month or two hence,
depending on current conditions (numbers, food, and opportunity.)
(It is a waste of gasoline transporting these animals elsewhere:
since classified as vermin within towns, you might as well drown
them.  You will probably host just as many next year.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

 
We have more rabbits and squirrels in town than we have in the woods it
seems. I realize as I trap and relocate them that others will move into
the same territory.  Thus my trapping efforts will need to be an ongoing
project.  The rabbits are cutting off shrubbery and the pesky squirrels
are getting into the attic and chewing on electrical wires.  I have
checked my house all around the outside and just can't seem to find
where or how they are getting in.  My problem may also be compounded as
I live in what is known as an attached ranch.  It's a brick house that
is attached to another.  Looks like one big house but I only own my
side.  The other owner spends six months in Florida so perhaps they are
getting in from his side and then getting over to mine.  I can't go over
on his property checking his house as I don't own that side.  I will
discuss the problem with him when he comes back in the Spring and then
go from there.

Rich

 
If pets are an option you could always use a couple of Hounds to make the
environment of your garden slightly less appealing to rabbits. I know my
beagles keep most ground-based rodents as far away as they can manage, a
good cat or coon-hound might keep the squirrels visits to a minimum.


--
Troy Most of the time,
Capheind some of the time,
KJ6DRH if I ever figure out this radio
and Batman when I've had a few.

 On 12/16/2010 1:13 PM, EVP MAN wrote:

I have a Hav-a-hart I use for groundhogs and often catch squirrels as I
bait with peanut butter.  Bet a mix of peanut butter and carrots would
catch both bunnies and squirrels.

Your trap sounds a little small.  Wish I had bought their largest trap
as I'm often bothered by raccoons and only the smaller ones can be
caught in my trap as doors will not close on larger ones.

http://home.comcast.net/~frank.logullo/thief.pdf

Other problem I have is occasionally catching skunks and someone pointed
out that to avoid this, close trap at night, since skunks are nocturnal.

Trapping rules vary and what game commission told you may vary with
local rules.  Here in Delaware, we are allowed to trap and kill these
pests but not relocate them.  I once released a squirrel in the park
right in front of a County cop and he said nothing to me.  I told him I
had come to the park to release a prisoner ;)