The Best Squirrel Traps for Effective and Humane Pest Control 

When squirrels start causing damage to insulation, electrical wiring, PVC pipes, or wood framing, squirrel traps become essential. Since a simple squirrel deterrent isn’t enough in such instances, trapping squirrels can prevent further destruction to your home or yard. 

Squirrel traps come in two main types: humane wire cages with spring-loaded doors that quickly shut when a squirrel enters and lethal squirrel traps that instantly dispose of squirrels by snapping their necks. Given our preference for humane traps over squirrel traps that kill, plus input we received from a pest control expert, we chose the Havahart 1085 Easy-Set Large One-Door Animal Trap as our top pick. This squirrel-catching cage allows ground squirrels, tree squirrels, and baby squirrels to be safely relocated after capture, and it can also capture other wildlife that may be causing issues. 

This guide reviews the best squirrel traps on the market and details the features to consider when shopping for one. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Havahart 1085 Easy-Set Large One-Door Animal Trap
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Anyhall Live Animal Cage Trap
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3. BEST EASY-SET: Havahart 1083 Easy-Set Small One-Door Animal Trap
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4. BEST TUBE TRAP: Wildlife Control Supplies Rust-Resistant Tube Trap
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5. BEST SNAP TRAP: Made2Catch Classic Metal Rat Trap
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6. BEST FOLDABLE: Gingbau Foldable Human Live Squirrel Trap
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7. BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Epestoec Heavy-Duty Humane Animal Cage Trap
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8. BEST MULTI-CATCH: Rugged Ranch SQR Squirrelinator With Basin 
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Squirrel Traps Comparison

Our Top Picks

The traps below make squirrel removal much simpler. They include lethal snap traps, nonlethal box and tube traps, and a live cage model that can catch multiple squirrels at once.

The name of this trap says it all. The Havahart one-door cage trap captures squirrels in a humane manner, so users can relocate them to a distant forest where they can forage for nuts. Setting the trap is easy: Simply bait the pressure plate and pull back the lever. When a squirrel enters for a tasty treat, the door automatically shuts and contains it. The handle is protected by a steel plate to allow for the safe transport of the wildlife prisoner. 

With its galvanized steel construction, this pick resists rust and corrosion, making it suitable for extended time outdoors. In fact, it’s one of the top-performing ground squirrel traps on the market. At 32 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 12 inches high, it’s hefty enough to contain everything from large squirrels to stray cats, groundhogs, opossums, chipmunks, and raccoons. 

Get the Havahart 1085 squirrel trap at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Havahart.

The Anyhall live animal cage trap is a reliable, humane solution for safely capturing squirrels, rabbits, and other small animals around your home or garden. Featuring heavy-duty construction, it’s built to resist rust and withstand regular outdoor use, making it a good investment for repeated animal control needs. Like our top pick, setup and use are simple and straightforward via baiting and waiting for a curious animal to trigger the door’s spring-loaded mechanism. 

While this cage is relatively generously sized and features sturdy mesh to prevent squirrels from escaping, very small animals like mice and chipmunks may occasionally slip through. Also, since this is a humane squirrel trap​, it requires periodic checks followed by animal relocation when successful. Still, those needing a budget-friendly trap for catching squirrels will likely find this effective and durable option worth its very reasonable price. 

Get the Anyhall squirrel trap at Amazon.

The Havahart 1083 catch-and-release trap is a humane trap with a single door that allows for the safe capture and release of squirrels and other small animals. Made from galvanized, one-piece wire mesh, it’s resistant to both rust and corrosion, meaning you can use it outdoors regardless of the weather. 

The trap is equipped with easy-set technology, making it simple to set and release with just one hand. The trap’s smooth internal edges prevent harm to animals, and this pick also works as a rodent trap for small rats, weasels, skunks, and rabbits. 

Get the Havahart 1083 squirrel trap at Amazon, Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Co., The Home Depot, or Havahart. 

The Wildlife Control Supplies lethal tube trap is a more extreme method of eliminating nuisance squirrels, such as those that raid a bird’s nest or chew holes through siding. The tube shape attracts squirrels looking for a place to hide, and once inside, they naturally investigate bait secured to a hook. Once they take the bait, a trigger mechanism on the hook releases a spring-loaded bar that breaks the squirrel’s neck, killing it instantly. 

The trap consists of heavy-gauge alloy steel with a rust-resistant coating, making it suitable for extended outdoor use. At 4.5 inches in diameter, the opening is small enough to prevent larger animals from entering the tube, making it safe for use around most pets. Because tube-style traps work for a range of animal species, this pick also doubles as an effective mole trap. 

Get the Wildlife Control Supplies squirrel trap at Amazon or Wildlife Control Supplies. 

While the Made2Catch snap trap may be designed as a rat trap rather than one for squirrels, it’s powerful enough to take out any unwanted visitor that’s damaging a house or feasting at the bird feeder. As a classic snap trap, it features a spring-loaded bar mounted to a flat plate. When the pressure plate that holds the bait is triggered, the bar springs forward, breaking the pest’s neck on impact. 

Unlike standard rat traps, which use a wood base, this one is constructed entirely of galvanized metal, giving it added strength while also making it suitable for outdoor use. However, since the bar mechanism on this trap is exposed, it’s not safe for use around children or pets. Each pack comes with four traps. 

Get the Made2Catch squirrel traps at Amazon.

Gingbau’s foldable humane live squirrel trap offers an excellent balance of portability, durability, and value for those needing humane animal removal. Because it’s collapsible for storage when not needed, it’s a nice option for occasional use or easy transport between sites. Made from heavy-duty galvanized iron, it’s built to withstand year-round weather. 

While setting up the Gingbau trap is mostly straightforward, first-time users may want to practice the process to ensure reliable operation. The trigger is quite sensitive, and it takes a couple of tries to get used to. While this Gingbau trap works quite well for capturing squirrels and similarly sized rodents without injury, it is not appropriate for larger pests. Also, frequent checks are necessary to ensure animal welfare, but overall, this trap delivers excellent performance and value for the price.

Get the Gingbau squirrel trap at Amazon.

This heavy-duty human animal cage from Epestoec is made from durable alloy steel for ongoing use in demanding outdoor conditions. It features a reliable trigger mechanism that allows for a genuinely ethical approach where animals are caught safely and unharmed. In addition to its reliable construction, it also folds for storage and easy transport. 

Since this box trap is large enough to accommodate a range of small animals, including squirrels, rabbits, and even skunks, it’s an excellent tool for safely dealing with wildlife in your yard. However, its shiny finish may make cautious animals wary, and setting the mechanism requires some manual skill, especially in colder weather. Still, though, the Epestoec trap is humane and reusable for those seeking a practical, long-term animal control solution.

Get the Epestoec squirrel trap at Amazon.

A box trap that collects one squirrel at a time won’t do for those trying to rid an attic full of squirrels. The Squirrelinator’s large cage can catch and hold up to 25 squirrels at once, making it one of the best squirrel traps for attic infestations and also one of the best repeater traps. And, despite its intimidating name, the Squirrelinator doesn’t terminate squirrels. It traps them humanely, allowing for relocation of squirrel squatters to a location far away from the home. 

The Squirrelinator is designed with two doors, increasing the likelihood of its catching its prey. It includes a pan at the bottom that catches droppings, allowing for mess-free transportation in a vehicle. With an easy-to-open top, releasing the squirrel captives is safe and easy upon arriving at the relocation site. 

Get the Rugged Ranch squirrel trap at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., Walmart, or Target.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Chose the Best Squirrel Traps

We applied a variety of criteria when selecting the best squirrel traps for our list. Since squirrel trapping must be effective above everything else, we chose models with proven designs that yield reliable results. We included a range of different types of traps to serve different purposes, including humane box traps and squirrel traps that kill, like snap and tube traps. 

All the humane traps we selected have sturdy handles for safe and easy transportation of the animals. Given that squirrel traps are usually used outdoors, we chose models made of durable materials that won’t rust or corrode when exposed to the elements. And since single squirrel traps aren’t enough to deal with a bigger squirrel problem (such as squirrels in the garden), we also included a model capable of catching multiple squirrels at once. 

What to Consider When Buying a Squirrel Trap

Ahead, learn about the different types of squirrel traps on the market as well as the features you should consider when shopping for one. 

Types of Squirrel Traps

For those who’d rather not call a wildlife removal service, there’s more than one way to trap a squirrel. 

Flat Snap Traps

Flat snap traps are squirrel kill traps that eliminate squirrels rather than allowing users to relocate them. Typically designed for rats, they have a powerful spring that snaps a metal bar closed when the rodent takes the squirrel bait. The snapping bar breaks the squirrel’s neck and kills it instantly. 

While these traps are effective, they are the least humane option for getting rid of a squirrel problem. Since they’re also strong enough to break fingers, care should be taken when setting them, and they should not be used around children or pets. 

Tube Traps

A tube trap is a lethal trap that consists of a cylindrical metal tube that measures about 15 inches long and 5 inches in diameter. They have hooks in the middle that hold bait attached to a spring-loaded bar. When the squirrel takes the bait, the bar snaps forward into the tube, breaking the squirrel’s neck and killing it instantly. 

Since this type of trap uses a tube enclosure, it prevents larger animals such as cats and dogs from getting inside the tube. However, tube traps are significantly more expensive than snap traps. 

Box Traps

Box traps, which consist of a small metal cage with a spring-loaded door that attaches to a plate inside the cage, are the most humane way to trap a squirrel. The user places bait on the plate, and when a hungry squirrel steps on it, that triggers a spring that causes the door to slam shut, trapping the squirrel. 

Construction and Setup 

A squirrel trap’s construction is key to how well it works. Squirrels have sharp teeth and strong jaws capable of cracking hard nuts, so the cage must be made from durable material. Since most squirrel traps are set up outdoors, a trap also must be able to hold up to the elements. Therefore, the best squirrel traps are made from heavy-gauge galvanized steel. This material, which resists rust and corrosion, is strong enough that a squirrel can’t gnaw through it.

Good squirrel traps should also be easy to set up. Some box traps and tube traps require only one hand, while most snap traps require more care to avoid injuring the user. 

Capacity

Squirrel traps vary in the number of squirrels they can hold. A standard squirrel trap is designed to catch a single squirrel. Other squirrel traps are designed to catch and hold dozens of squirrels at one time, making them ideal for larger squirrel infestations. 

Number of Doors

Squirrel traps also vary in their number of doors. Some have a single door, while others feature two or more. Traps with multiple doors are generally more effective than those with a single door because they offer multiple points of entry, thus increasing the likelihood that a squirrel will enter the trap. That said, traps with multiple openings require more sophisticated mechanisms that are more likely to fail than single-door traps. 

Tips for Using a Squirrel Trap

After purchasing a trap, there are several ways to maximize the chances that the trap will successfully capture a squirrel. First, consider trap placement. Position the trap in a place along a squirrel’s usual travel path. The path typically is at the base of a tree, along a fence near a bird feeder, or along a wall near a part of the house that the squirrel is damaging. 

Likewise, for squirrels frequenting bird feeders, place the trap near the feeders. You can also place traps near the base of the trees where the squirrels live. “Squirrels are very curious creatures,” says Roger Dickens, the technical service manager for bird and wildlife control at Terminix. “Traps placed near the opening or near the access point will generally work well.” 

The best bait for squirrel traps is bait they can’t easily steal, such as peanut butter. If it’s a solid bait, make sure it’s larger than the cage’s mesh. Position the bait so the squirrel must step on the pressure plate to get to it. When using a humane cage, check the trap frequently, since a squirrel will quickly become anxious and dehydrated once trapped. 

• Place the trap in an area that squirrels frequent.
• Use bait that squirrels can’t easily steal.
• Check the trap often.

FAQs

If you’re wondering about smells that help catch squirrels or whether rat traps are effective, keep reading for answers to common questions about squirrel traps. 

Q. What smells attract squirrels? 

Squirrels have a highly developed sense of smell and are particularly attracted to the scents of peanuts, peanut butter, grains, sunflower seeds, overripe fruits, and vegetables. 

Q. What is the best bait to use to trap a squirrel?

Peanut butter is the best bait for squirrels. Squirrels, of course, are naturally attracted to nuts. Since peanut butter is not something squirrels can easily snatch and run away with, it forces them to engage with the trap long enough to spring it, making it the best squirrel trap bait. 

Q. Will rat traps work on squirrels?

Snap traps, also known as rat traps, also work for squirrels, which are similar in size. A squirrel investigating the bait on this trap can trigger the rat trap, killing the squirrel. But they may not work for all types of squirrels, says Dickens. Gray squirrels, he notes, are “too large for the trap to function properly,” whereas “red squirrels and flying squirrels are smaller species and can easily be trapped by rat traps.” 

Q. What times do squirrels come out? 

Squirrels are most active during the day, when they do most of their foraging. At dawn and dusk, they can be spotted entering and departing wherever they happen to be seeking shelter. 

Q. How long does it take to trap a squirrel?

How long it takes to trap a squirrel varies depending on the amount of squirrel activity in your yard. Early winter and late spring are the best times to catch squirrels, though this can also vary by squirrel type. According to Dickens, “In most cases, gray squirrels can be captured in 1 to 2 days. Red squirrels and flying squirrels may take longer,” up to a week or two.

Q. What do you do with a squirrel after you catch it?

After you catch a squirrel, relocate it to a place far away that has plenty of food. Dickens also suggests looking up local wildlife laws before relocating animals. “If relocation is a possibility, they can be released where legally allowed,” he says. “Contact a local game warden for more help or information.”

Q. Do squirrels learn to avoid traps?

Yes, squirrels can learn to avoid traps over time, especially if they’re visible and the animals remember previous negative experiences. To improve success, remove traps regularly and camouflage them well. 

 

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