Hudson Valley Answers: The Best Way to Trap a Squirrel in Your House

As the weather cools down in the Hudson Valley, many residents might start to notice that they're not alone in their homes.

Mice, chipmunks, and even squirrels looking for a warm place to wait out winter will go anywhere they fit, including local homes (and cars). Recently, a local homeowner took to social media for help with a small squirrel that had done exactly that.

How to Remove a Squirrel from Your Home

"How do I trap a baby squirrel that's in my house without hurting it?", came the question in a local community Facebook group. The answers ranged from helpful to hilarious.

It certainly didn't help that the question came just days after the New York State  Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) seized and ultimately euthanized a squirrel that had been domesticated by an upstate New York man.

New York State Still Remembers Recent Squirrel Controversies

"Call the DEC, fill out a quick form and they’ll raid your house and kill it", came the first sarcastic answer. "Someone is probably reporting you [right now]", joked another. Luckily, there were also some useful suggestions.

Helpful Suggestions to Remove a Squirrel from Your Home

"Open the door or window closest to where they are. Don’t stand between the squirrel and the opening", said one resident. "If you leave a door or window open they will sense the moving air and leave on their own if you’re not in the way", agreed another. Others had a more hands-on approach.

"To get it out I'd start tossing food at it and lead him to door or lower window with the food", came one suggestion. "They like strawberries... I put strawberries on a stick and as soon as they bite the stick and strawberries I have a box ready to put them in", said a more ambitious commenter.

Between other comments suggesting different types of traps and even the classic "throw a blanket over it and grab it", one piece of unique advice stood out having to do with not only getting the squirrel outside, but keeping it there.

One-Way Doors for Indoor Critter Removal

"They need water every day so you need to find out how they get in [and out]. You can go online and build a one-way door for like $20 I did and it worked great".

The one-way door (above) acts exclusively as an exit for any animal trapped inside the house. If the homeowner is able to locate the original point of entry and install the door, the squirrel (or any animal) can leave the way they came in, but won't be able to come back.