Please help me ID this rodent
#1
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Please help me ID this rodent
Been hearing this guy running around my attic and walls for the last two weeks. Set out some snap traps and he set them off but didn't get caught - so now he's extra careful. I decided to leave them for a few nights unset to let him get comfortable with them.
Anyways-finally got him caught on camera. It doesn't look like a standard house mouse to me. I'm thinking maybe deer mouse? Or is this a chipmunk? I know he's been moving acorns around - so definitely not house mouse? Also they're usually active at night - but I have heard during the day too. I just can't tell if it's a mouse or chipmunk from these. Anyone have an idea? Thanks!
Video 1
Video 2
Anyways-finally got him caught on camera. It doesn't look like a standard house mouse to me. I'm thinking maybe deer mouse? Or is this a chipmunk? I know he's been moving acorns around - so definitely not house mouse? Also they're usually active at night - but I have heard during the day too. I just can't tell if it's a mouse or chipmunk from these. Anyone have an idea? Thanks!
Video 1
Video 2
Last edited by PJmax; 12-05-22 at 08:27 AM. Reason: added pic
#3
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Wow, ok thanks. Will mouse traps not work for these? I've caught plenty of mice in my house unfortunately, but haven't dealt with a chipmunk yet. Should I get a live trap?
Also - is this 100% a chipmunk? Because I was reading that they are mostly active during the day - but I hear this one at night mostly. (most active around 3-5am). I also have heard squeaking noises in the walls. Do they make those sorts of noises generally?
Also - is this 100% a chipmunk? Because I was reading that they are mostly active during the day - but I hear this one at night mostly. (most active around 3-5am). I also have heard squeaking noises in the walls. Do they make those sorts of noises generally?
#4
Look at the flat tail -- might be a flying squirrill. I get them almost annually in my attic and take them out with a small have-a-heart. one per nite till they are gone. usually 6-8 total.
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Thanks everyone. I just ordered some live traps, as I don't think these mouse traps are going to work for this. I've caught squirrels before using bird seed. Was thinking of using some peanut butter with some bird seed here. Will post back here once I get him.
#9
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I'm thinking it's a flying squirrel. The large eyes and nocturnal activity are big clues. Live traps won't work unless they are designed for flying squirrels. They can flatten themselves out and squeeze underneath doors and such that chipmunks and squirrels couldn't.
I've had success with rat traps with expanded triggers. Peanut in shell fastened to trigger with rubber band. Most likely more than one.
I've had success with rat traps with expanded triggers. Peanut in shell fastened to trigger with rubber band. Most likely more than one.
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This is what I bought..you don't think this will work?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I got the trap and decided to do a pre-bait first. Two days ago I bought some birdseed on the floor to get it used to eating over there. It came over and ate it, but didn't seem as excited as I thought. I'm used to dealing with regular squirrels - these guys seem a lot more skittish. The next night I put the trap out, but set it up so it wouldn't spring - put some bread with peanut butter inside. It went all around the trap, but would not go inside. These guys seems smart. I says guys...because I now know there are at least 2 of them. I want to wait at least until one of them takes the bait in the unarmed trap before arming it, because I feel like I'm only going to get one chance at this. If it snaps the trap, the only way I could conceive of it getting around it, is if its tail somehow blocks the door - but then he'd have to back out. That would be impressive! If the get burned by the trap once, I think they will be smart enough to avoid it after that.
We'll see what happens. Any ideas for a plan B?
We'll see what happens. Any ideas for a plan B?
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"Chase them out"? What is the best way to do that? I'm actually afraid to go up there when they're active!
I also haven't even identified where they're coming in from yet. These guys are really tricky! Last night one of them went halfway in to one of the traps.
Any ideas for bait that it irresistible for them? I've been using peanut butter, bread and some bird seed. How can I get them more comfortable with going into the trap? Should I move it somewhere else?
I also haven't even identified where they're coming in from yet. These guys are really tricky! Last night one of them went halfway in to one of the traps.
Any ideas for bait that it irresistible for them? I've been using peanut butter, bread and some bird seed. How can I get them more comfortable with going into the trap? Should I move it somewhere else?
#15
removing flying squirrils form my attic crawlspace has been an annual event for me for at least a decade. it doesn't take much of an opening for them to find their way in. I usually have 6-8 animals and take one out a night till they are gone. I bring them to the same place and have for years -- I suspect there's quite a colony there. and it's about 5 miles away with two rivers in between so I dont think they're returning. peanut butter on a bit of bread does the trick and I use https://www.amazon.com/Havahart-1025.../dp/B000BQQMJQ the smallest have-a-heart. btw they are cute as hell when you have one.
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I was able to catch two of them last week. Brought them 12 miles away, exact same spot. When I let them out, they each ran out and climbed the same tree, so I'm hoping that they survived. I thought that was the end of it, but camera picked up another the same night. So I have at least one more to deal with.
You're right, they were incredibly cute. They were also somewhat relaxed - especially compared to regular squirrels which I've trapped before. I was even considering keeping them as pets until my wife snapped me out of it. On YouTube there's a bunch of videos from people who have them as pets, and they seem quite tame actually.
I would like to find how they got it, but seems like it will be a challenge. Thanks for all the tips here.
You're right, they were incredibly cute. They were also somewhat relaxed - especially compared to regular squirrels which I've trapped before. I was even considering keeping them as pets until my wife snapped me out of it. On YouTube there's a bunch of videos from people who have them as pets, and they seem quite tame actually.
I would like to find how they got it, but seems like it will be a challenge. Thanks for all the tips here.
#17
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Glad you're having success. They don't need much of an opening to get in. On a bright sunny day, go in the attic and turn the light off and look for daylight getting in. Move throughout the attic doing this. You might get lucky and find the area of entry.