Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Air Guns Odd question! Non-lethal, non-ricochet pellets?

We have Eastern Fox Squirrels that some genius imported into CA back in the 1920s. Aside from extincting the native Gray Squirrels in the areas they infest (mainly city parks and suburban gardens--they don't seem to survive in the wildlands), they cause all kinds of damage, from eating insulation off electrical wires to maiming fruit trees and ruining fruits.

I used to live where these guys were native and thought them beautiful and useful (and tasty) animals. Out here they are pure pests and we aren't allowed to kill them in city limits, which is the only place you find them.

Is there an airgun projectile that will hurt them enough to make them stay away from my backyard sniper nest, but not kill them or ricochet off wood and hit my neighbors?

Somebody told me to use "cleaning pellets." Will that work? I can get really close to these guys when they are raiding my garden, and the yard is big enough that I'm sure nobody will notice an air rifle shot. My next-door neighbors would like to be squirrel free as much as I do.

Havahart trap, car ride.

Squirrels are stubborn.

Some moron brought grays to Britain, where they are a major pest, and are displacing the popular native squirrels. They kill ‘em and kill ‘em, but it looks like a lost cause. Don’t believe anyone eats the culls; I think most are fed to ferrets.

Gray squirrels are payback for starlings and Piers Morgan.

How about a paintball gun. Maybe freeze the paintballs.

CB caps. Non lead for CA though.
Pests shoot them and eat them

I've used the Beeman cleaning pellets to run off pests before. There are extreme short range only though. I did find by soaking a few in Hoppes the added weight gets a few more feet of effective distance. Don't sue oil or anything else that will diesel and cause damage to your seal though.

Red Ryder

If you can get close a slingshot would let them know that they are unloved, but don't know if this would be an effective long term stategy. Steel BBs bounce back off hard surfaces, but lead less likely.

Speaking of slingshots. I have used "jawbreaker" candies that I get by the bag at Dollar Tree. They are very uniform in size. I haven't hit a squirrel yet but I know it would hurt like hell if I did and they are pretty accurate. They tend to crack into pieces upon impact with whatever, while still penetrating a card board box. They are big and bright so the varmints see them zip past them which spokes them. Cheap and biodegradable too. They're not a permanent solution but after a campaign you might convince them to relocate for a month or two.
LM

get a paintball gun, used one on coons they dont like it

Just shoot the damned things with a pellet gun and be done with it.
SSS
You don't have to advertise what your doing around the neighborhood (or on the internet).
Why would anyone care about California's fugged up laws?

With a multi-pump pneumatic you could just put a couple pumps or so into it, and regulate velocity to suit your needs.

Or how about?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IJdf8MB3M5M

A trebuchet for squirrels...nice.

+1. At 10 yards or so a Beeman R7 will be quiet and lethal with a shot to the noggin. Over penetration/pass throughs should be minimal.