I have the redneck relatives over every couple of years and they go to town on the tree rats with pellet guns. They normally cull 30-40 of the sumbiches and for the next 2-3 years, you rarely see a squirrel - or if you do, they make themselves scarce REAL quick like.

quote:

Originally posted by btgoanna:
Tube trap
Bait with peanut butter and seeds

https://www.wildlifecontrolsup.../animal/WCSTUBE.html

Do you have personal experience with this trap?

If so, is it effective and well built (such that it lasts longer than a handful of deployments)?

Thanks!

We feed ours all winter long, I enjoy watching them stop by every morning. I really didnt know they were that destructive. I haven't seen any signs of it as well.

I just want to keep them off of the bird feeder. I used to cull the herd now and then, but now there are houses behind us when there used to be nothing. I guess I need a fancy squirrel flinging/spinning bird feeder.

I had a squirrel infestation a few years ago. They demolished the garden and fruits that my parents tended everyday as a hobby and to produce fresh fruits and vegetables.

We started with scents, didn't work. Moved on to Traps and we would catch one or two a day steadily but it was not effective, like a drop in a bucket.

I went and got a decent quality pcp air gun, set up a feeder and spent some time out on the deck reading/waiting.

The first summer I managed to kill 35 and probably another 15 who ran away injured and most likely died from bleeding out or being unable to walk/feed.

The second summer the numbers were slightly less.

The third summer the squirrels didn't really bother us enough to warrant sitting outside and actively wait for them. So I would occasionally take the gun out with me when sitting on the deck in a target of opportunity came up to the feeder.

This is the fourth year and I haven't even brought the gun out at all, it hasn't been an issue.

I don't know how that applies to a hunting stand. Maybe a day or two hunting squirrel at the stand would lower the population.

I do know from research that they are territorial, they will defend their territory and a new group will move in if it's empty, so having some around is actually better then none.

quote:

The hot is suspended above the plate with peanut butter.

Skins - pretty ingenious, IMO. Probably effective, too!

When I first had squirrel problems, I bought a rat trap and would bait it with peanut butter. Most often, the trap would dispatch effectively. One day, the trap only broke something in the squirrel's back. When I found it, it was crawling around with its front claws. I figured I could use my machete to dispatch it. Since I was doing yard work, I had on a pair of camo (VN era) trousers and an OD tee-shirt. I took a swing at the critter and missed. He/she got up on my LP gas tank cover and challenged me. I then connected with the machete. When I looked across the yard, my new neighbor was just standing there watching me. Must have thought I was some sort of lunatic. LOL

Anyway, don't do that anymore due to F&G regulations. FIL has a blast relocating them!

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
You got it backwards, the neutral can't touch earth, ground can. In some countries the ground is actually called earth. But I like your idea of 240, gets the job done twice as fast. I think I will make one before next garden season.

Look at the picture again. The hot is suspended above the plate with peanut butter. Both the neutral and ground are wired directly to the plate. The mouse closes the circuit and current flows from the hot through the mouse to both the neutral and ground. Normally this would be fine. Unless the device is plugged into a GFI. Then the GFI will detect some current flowing through the ground and will shut off the power.

I saw the picture, as setup it would instantly trip GFI the second you plugged it in. Neutral needs to be removed for it to work or it would have to be plugged into a non GFI outlet.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by Fenris:

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
You got it backwards, the neutral can't touch earth, ground can. In some countries the ground is actually called earth. But I like your idea of 240, gets the job done twice as fast. I think I will make one before next garden season.

Look at the picture again. The hot is suspended above the plate with peanut butter. Both the neutral and ground are wired directly to the plate. The mouse closes the circuit and current flows from the hot through the mouse to both the neutral and ground. Normally this would be fine. Unless the device is plugged into a GFI. Then the GFI will detect some current flowing through the ground and will shut off the power.

I saw the picture, as setup it would instantly trip GFI the second you plugged it in. Neutral needs to be removed for it to work or it would have to be plugged into a non GFI outlet.

Not an "electrical" question, more of a general "rodent" question:
If this contraption works on squirrels, I'm assuming it's going to work on regular rats?

To me, and correct me if I'm wrong, but a squirrel ain't nothing but a rat with a tail perm.

My neighbor and I had a small rat problem, which was resolved by old schools rat traps and BB Guns. However, if the program returns, I'm stepping up my game. Possibly upping it to 220V.

I can't answer that, I'm in the trying to keep people from being electrocuted game, not the rodent assassination game. I did not originally post the contraption.

quote:

Originally posted by Cookster:

quote:

Originally posted by btgoanna:
Tube trap
Bait with peanut butter and seeds

https://www.wildlifecontrolsup.../animal/WCSTUBE.html

Do you have personal experience with this trap?

If so, is it effective and well built (such that it lasts longer than a handful of deployments)?

Thanks!

Yes , I was catching 2 a day for a while , till I whittled them down .
It is well made and lasts well. Had it for two seasons so far.

Be patient, some days none , others two....

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:

Not an "electrical" question, more of a general "rodent" question:
If this contraption works on squirrels, I'm assuming it's going to work on regular rats?

To me, and correct me if I'm wrong, but a squirrel ain't nothing but a rat with a tail perm.

My neighbor and I had a small rat problem, which was resolved by old schools rat traps and BB Guns. However, if the program returns, I'm stepping up my game. Possibly upping it to 220V.

220 would not be necessary. I’m pretty sure 120 would do the trick for anything rat or squirrel sized that completed the circuit.

I would also craft a set of small copper handlebars soldered to the hot. They may just get shocked if their tongue hits the hot. The handlebars, they will lay paws upon.
As mentioned earlier in this thread, I would also take the advice said, and create the bottom plate out of a sheet of copper. It’ll conduct the electricity that much better.

As mentioned above, it would have to be on a hard circuit. No GFI. It’ll fail miserably on a GFI.

That said, two things, if you do cook a rat, I want video, and be careful. Neighborhood cats, dogs or the like may get cooked as well.

Let me know if it trips the breaker. I’m curious to that. I think it would have to get hung up and complete the circuit for a bit to trip the breaker, but curiosity and all...

I just came here to see who would post the Squirrel Launcher video. Thanks, Jim!
I like the nonpharmacological approach too.

I aim to please.

That contraption shown above is not going to trip a GFCI as soon as it is plugged in . No current flow , therefore no imbalance between hot and neutral . It is an open circuit and that will not trip anything .

quote:

I had a squirrel infestation a few years ago. They demolished the garden and fruits that my parents tended everyday as a hobby and to produce fresh fruits and vegetables.

We started with scents, didn't work. Moved on to Traps and we would catch one or two a day steadily but it was not effective, like a drop in a bucket.

I went and got a decent quality pcp air gun, set up a feeder and spent some time out on the deck reading/waiting.

I did the exact same thing. Bought a Hatsan Flashpup QE. Have killed at least 20 this year. I'm finally able to harvest tomatoes from my garden. .22 cal pellet from the Flashpup puts them down like flipping a light switch.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:

quote:

What is the best way to get rid of squirrels

.22 LR. Isn't this what folks do with varmints?

I agree, but .22 shorts or even air rifles work, too. More flexibility in areas for use as well.

CCI Quiet 22 LR is pretty damn quiet out of a rifle barrel . About as loud as a pellet rifle . Enough power to kill an Armadillo , but check your point of impact on a target first .