I do use a little black oil sunflower seed mixed in with my personal blend but no longer do I use loose seed and my birds have dropped to the occasional wren that seems to like small square containers.

Maybe it's a northern thing. Population reduction squirrel jobs are enjoyable for the reasons Albert mentioned and more.

I do "population reduction" jobs for a few apartment and condo complexes every spring for squirrels, skunks and raccoons in addition to the residential squirrel jobs.

They are fun, easy and good money.

Try a tube trap.

Mike, we get quite a few calls just like you describe and I really don't think a "magic" bait is the answer but trap placement is crucial. Ask the client where he sees the squirrle traveling most often in his yard, ie. up and down a certain tree,along the top rail of a wooden fence,under the bird feeder,ect.and that's where I would place my trap. Put it in his line of travel and bait it with most anything "nutty". I agree, if you put bird seed in your trap you will probably catch birds which is the case here anyhow. In our area people actually feed the squirrls and what do they feed them.....peanuts of course and that is what we use for bait. Peanuts in the hull. Not very "exotic" I know, but it works great for us.

Not sure if pecans are falling up there but squirrels are carring mine off in droves here. Might try pecans in the hull. Works every time here. First cool mornings and they have one thing in mind. PECANS.........

When ever I do a job like this I charge a weekly flat rate with no catch guarantee. That way I am getting paid if we catch them or not! Many have said visual appeal is the key and that is so true with jobs like this. I use popcorn! It has good contrast with the grass and yard so when the squirrels are in the trees, roof tops, or running fences and they look down they see it. Place some around the trap and some in it and another paste bait in the traps too. This method works great for me!

thanks everyone! ill also add this. yes his complaint was squirrels bothering the feeder. but he also brought to my attention that at certain times of the year (i dont recall when he said this occurs) but the squirrels get in his attic. so im thinking im looking at population reduction, as well as adc work from the attic at some point. i really apreciate all the input tho guys.

Another thing that works well,at least around here at certain times, is go to a double door trap. I have a couple 7 X 8 size, and sometimes when you are dealing with either a female that is pregnant, or has just dropped a litter,they can be very cautious and being able to see through will help them commit. All they have to do is make one mistake .

Absolutely correct Mr. Burns. I have watched the same female that would have nothing to do with a closed end trap, get caught sashaying through a two door, a couple hours later.

thanks to you all. i ended up using 1 1/2s right inside newspaper mailboxes wired to the fence. ive caught two with pecans. turned out there was a pecan tree right outside the corner of his yard. what an amature! (me) second one got caught by the back foot tho so i think ive got them spooked up. no more so far...

While I admit to using some squirrel traps that were probably not acceptable to your average customer, footholds were never used and I doubt are a good idea even in Marion, S.C.

I used one,but only once and as a last resort. It was a female Gray Squirrel about ready to drop a litter. She refused everything from a double door to a tube trap,I even mounted a shorty over the entry hole,figuring she would go right thru and be captured. She refused to enter it, and chewed a second entrance right next to the first. The holes were 2 stories up, and in a inside corner of the fascia. Eventuallty we pulled everything down, and let her calm down for a couple days,then we went back and made a triangle platform to fit under the entry area. We then took a # 2 Victor Square Jaw,and screwed it to the platform,setting it so that when she exited,her first step would be onto the pan, and it would suitcase her. Covered it all with dried grass clippings and figured next day she would be mine. Two weeks later that darn squirrel was still flipping me off as I checked that trap. I gave up,never billed the customer,and at this point am not sure what course of action to take,but am certain at some point I will own that b**ch.

I keep a duke #1 coil on the truck just for those, Albert. I've found that just inside the hole turns the trick for me.

i dont know man, he seems to be happy. ive been asking him if he needs me to change anything, but no. he wants them gone at all cost. no one will ever be like that again, i know.

Don't know what a "shorty" is, but a 55 coni would have done the trick; I've used 'em on tree rats hundreds of times.
She was probably going up when exiting the hole, unless her normal travel route was downward.

A shorty is a smaller version of a tunnel trap, only about 8 inches long and can be mounted to fit tight over an entry hole,it has 3 adjustable ears on it to mount it. They can work really well at times,and will capture them entering or exiting. The entry is in a really awkward place to set,I thought of the 55's but just didn't see a good way to mount it here. It is in the corner of a V ,with an overhanging roof just above it that extends about a foot out,and forming that V are two of those 4 inch wide scroll work type fancy supports.Right where all that comes together she chewed a baseball size hole. I'll try and get a picture of it before making another attempt at her.Thank you for the suggestions,it sure helps to get another persons outlook on stuff at times.

Here, we can't do population reductions. I just can't go set traps in some ones back yard because the squirrels are eating bird feed.

No. Here, before we can do anything we must be able to show at least 50 dollars worth of damage to the home, out buildings, pets, livestock or crops. Stealing bird seed from a feeder or corn from a deers corn pile don't count.

It's quite a shame, too. We're getting to the point where we have more squirrels in the trees than we do fleas on a dog!

Muddawg, you just brought tears to my eyes. Bird feeders are our bread and butter. Many of the times, this how a home owner gets introduced to our company. After that it's up to us to show them that they need rodent control, a new chimney cap, bat eviction, insulation removal and replacement, vent covers, etc.

I love the bird watchers and their feeders. I always tell them they have a right to be able to feed and watch the birds without having their property destroyed by rodents. But along with rights comes responsibilities. It's their responsibility to deal with *all* the wildlife their hobby is going to attract.

I have bird feeders myself. I know how it is. Bird watching/feeding is a wonderful hobby. You just need to be responsible about it.

I have a few customers who call me every year and I think I picked up two more this year.

With a few bits of scrap hardware cloth you can set a coni anywhere, and I do mean anywhere! AND it's a positive set.
I used conibears almost exclusively for gray squirrels for 16 years; lately, it's all colony traps.