- 1). Purchase a live trap. Live traps are used to capture animals without causing them injury. You can purchase live traps at pet and hardware stores.
- 2). Determine the exact location behind the wall where the squirrels and rats are most active. Wildlife specialist Michael T. Mengak of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources recommends listening for gnawing or scratching in the walls or attics, especially at night when the critters are most active. Mark the spot on the wall where you hear the most activity with duct tape.
- 3). Use the power saw to cut a square hole in the wall big enough for the live trap to easily fit in and out. Cut the hole a foot above the duct tape marking to prevent accidentally cutting into the critters.
- 4). Bait the live trap with peanut butter or bacon and place it into the wall. Check the trap at dawn and dusk when rats and squirrels are most active.
- 5). Release the captured animals back into the wild or take them to your veterinarian or humane society.
- 6). Place a self-adhesive wall patch over the hole in the wall. You can purchase self-adhesive wall patches at hardware stores.
- 7). Locate and seal all rat and squirrel entrances in the walls and around your home to prevent the critters from coming back. Squirrels usually enter walls via the attic, while rats commonly enter walls through small holes or openings at floor level. Use plywood, caulk or steel mesh wire to permanently seal off all floor, attic and other openings around your house.
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