Expert: Stephen Vantassel - 1/4/2005

Question
Hi Stephen,
I park my car in a carport. Apparently a squirrel entered the engine compartment and built a nest in addition to chewing through several wires.
Is there a humane way to prevent a repeat. Poison has been recommended but I would prefer a different solution if a viable one is available.
Do you have any ideas for me?
Jim McMahon

Answer
I would love a photo if in fact it was a squirrel. More likely it was mice. You should first determine the specific culprit. Then remove food sources and harborage so that you reduce the area's population of that species. This means bird feeders, acorn bearing trees, trash etc. You would need to define a little more about what you mean by humane. As all the techniques,including the one I Just described causes harm to the animals. The issue is how directly do you want to harm them.

forget those silly ultrasonic devices. There is no evidence they work. for more information on techniques that work but may not be humane as you define it, visit http://wildlifedamage.unl.edu