Not exactly sure what ground squirrels are, gophers? chipmunks? Something like that. I've had reasonably good luck with mothballs in the burrows. Seems to drive them away.

Steve

I had ground squirrels a few years ago. I got rid of them all right, using what I call "The Final Swim". If you want to be humane and let them live, then you might want to try live traps, but I had 100% success with the swimming pool for rodents.

I shared the method with friends who had a chipmunk infestation in their attic, and it worked great for them as well.

I got the idea from the thread that I will link to below. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Effective ground squirrel control

Try jalapeno juice or cayenne pepper

PButter is a good idea... I use Rodent Bait.... ala vole bait from I think Fleet Farm. Spinkle it onto the baiting area of those black plastic traps.. the rat size I believe.. they have to work around the release to get the bait. Also kills if they comsume.. same for the voles mice et al.

:). Got #36 out of the trap this morn.

Add 11 easter bunnies to my grand total.

The use of moth balls in an attic or other spaces to get rid of squirrels in the attic is illegal in all 50 states. If you use moth balls to get rid of squirrels, bats in the attic, and raccoons in the attic or any other vertebrate pest or even suggest their use to someone you are committing, at least a misdemeanor, and even a felony in many states.

"The use of moth balls in an attic or other spaces to get rid of squirrels in the attic is illegal in all 50 states. If you use moth balls to get rid of squirrels, bats in the attic, and raccoons in the attic or any other vertebrate pest or even suggest their use to someone you are committing, at least a misdemeanor, and even a felony in many states"

A felony.. no less. But YES.. vermin is much more important than a person's ability/right to protect his/her property. I mean.. let the vermin chew the heck otta the house.. we all know they HAVE the right too........:).

ONLY jabbing at the idiocy of this 'law'.. nothin' else.. it's just moronic to consider laying the "law" onto someone for doing such. And more proof.. the neeee-ander-thall LIVES>>>>>>>

I just knew moth balls in particular were a problem, that's way I looked it up and posted that quote.

They pose a threat to human healthy as the vapors travel from the part of the house they are used in to the living space. They are also highly toxic to non-target species, including dogs and cats.

"Repeated inhalation of fumes or ingestion of a few mothballs can be fatal. Especially, for children, elderly people, pets and indirectly for fetuses."

It sounds to me like there is a reasonable explanation as to why they banned moth balls for pest control -- the dangers to non-target animals.

I don't think the law was in any way designed to protect vermin, it is to protect humans, including children, and domestic animals from exposure to or ingestion of a hazardous chemical.

Jamie

Well said Jamie.. yet how many kids.. people reside in one's attic? Is an attic a living space for most of us?

As for all the EPA rot.. couldn't that be said of.. say gasoline.. any petrol agent of that type.. that list of 'legal' substances that can cause 'harm' is longer than your arm.

Consider the poor moths.... what about them.. ? :)

Another angle.. if all these idiot pet owners kept their 'pets' from roaming.. there'd be NO problem with them injesting said agent. Of course.. the many pet owners are responsible.. not letting rover and those feline fea bags deposit trinkets onto others lawns... yet those that allow their 'pets' to roam.. what happens.. happens. After all.. then they are breaking a LAW........ then.

As jamiedolan pointed out, the vapors of mothballs are a threat beyond the attic. Therefore the irresposibility lies with the one who chose to use mothballs thinking touching, ingesting, or needing to be in the immediate area were the only issues. Too often the kneejerk response involves toxins when much safer effective measures are available. To use the gasoline metaphor, its like using gasoline to light candles on birthday cake.

tj

This is a medical report that shows how serious exposure to moth balls can be.

http://www.nature.com/jp/journal/v24/n12/full/7211195a.html

Similar events have occurred when moth balls have been used inappropriately for pest control, and the fumes drift / draft through the home, causing illness.

I'm all for getting rid of destructive pests, but please use safer methods.