Is it legal to poison squirrels or chipmunks in New Hampshire?

No, effectively. There is no general-use poison legally available to homeowners for squirrels, chipmunks, or similar small mammals — they're wildlife governed by NH Fish & Game, not pest-control chemistry. Rodenticides labeled for rats and mice are not legal or appropriate for these species. If you have a persistent problem, the legal path is exclusion and habitat modification, or licensed trapping by a Wildlife Control Operator.

Can I use rat poison on a squirrel problem?

No. Rodenticides are labeled specifically for rats and mice, not squirrels or chipmunks, and using them off-label is illegal under the product label and NH pesticide rules. It also creates real secondary-poisoning risk to pets, raptors, and other wildlife without reliably solving a squirrel problem, since squirrels aren't the target species the bait or station is designed for. Exclusion and removing food attractants are the legal, effective alternative.

Are glue boards effective for chipmunks or squirrels?

No. Glue boards are sized and designed for mice, not larger mammals like chipmunks and squirrels, and are widely considered inhumane even where they do catch an animal — trapped animals can struggle for hours before dying of stress or exposure. They're also prone to catching non-target wildlife. A licensed Wildlife Control Operator's live or lethal trapping, done under NH Fish & Game rules, is the appropriate alternative.

Can I trap and relocate a raccoon myself?

No. Trapping wildlife outside the regular season requires a licensed Wildlife Control Operator in New Hampshire, and relocating raccoons yourself raises real rabies-exposure risk — raccoons are a primary rabies-vector species. Contact a WCO or Anchor's wildlife control service rather than attempting DIY trapping or relocation, especially if the animal is denned inside a structure with young present, since disturbing a den can scatter young throughout the house.

What actually works instead of chemicals?

Exclusion and habitat modification. NH Fish & Game wildlife biologist Patrick Tate's core recommendation is to remove the food or attractant — bird feeders, pet food, garbage, fallen fruit — so the animal leaves on its own. Sealing entry points with hardware cloth and steel, installing one-way excluder doors, and protecting plantings with hardware-cloth baskets round out a legal, effective, chemical-free approach.

When can't I seal up a squirrel entry point?

Not during nesting season. UNH Extension specifically warns against sealing during nesting periods — flying squirrels litter in late February and again in mid-July — because sealing an occupied entry traps young animals inside, where they die and create odor and further structural damage. Confirm the den is empty, install a one-way excluder first, or wait for the nesting window to pass before sealing permanently.

Is it legal to poison a woodchuck or vole in my garden?

Voles can sometimes be lethally snap-trapped where allowed, per UNH Extension, but broad poisoning is not the recommended or generally legal path for either species. Protecting plantings with hardware-cloth baskets and fencing is the standard approach; burrow fumigants and similar products are tightly label-restricted and not appropriate for typical homeowner DIY, and woodchuck burrows near foundations are better handled by a licensed pro.

Who do I call for a skunk or raccoon under my porch?

A licensed Wildlife Control Operator, or Anchor's wildlife/nuisance-animal service. Skunks and raccoons are rabies-vector species that shouldn't be handled directly, and trapping either one legally requires WCO licensing under NH Fish & Game rule Fis 308 outside the regular trapping season. A pro can also exclude the den site with hardware cloth so the animal can't return once it's safely removed.

What happens if I harm a protected species by mistake?

Taking a species protected under RSA 212-A is a misdemeanor in New Hampshire, regardless of intent. If you're unsure whether an animal on your property is protected, contact NH Fish & Game or a licensed Wildlife Control Operator before attempting any removal, trapping, or chemical treatment — identification mistakes are common and the legal risk falls on the homeowner.

ChemicalSmall Mammal Pests

Chemical Squirrel & Small-Mammal Control: The Wrong Tool

TL;DR

Chemical control is essentially the WRONG tool for squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and opossums. There is no legal general-use poison for these mammals in New Hampshire, glue boards are inhumane and rarely work on them, and misuse can violate state wildlife law. The correct approach — exclusion, habitat modification, and licensed trapping when needed — is mechanical and legal, not chemical.

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NH License #782664Family-owned since 2017Updated Jul 2026

Legal poison for squirrels/raccoons
None available for general homeowner use in NH
NH Fish & Game governs nuisance mammals; there is no legal consumer poison pathway for these species.
Out-of-season trapping rule
Requires a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO)
"Anyone trapping wildlife outside of the regular season… must be licensed as a Wildlife Control Operator by NH Fish and Game." NH F&G.
Best-practice first step
Remove the food/attractant so the animal leaves on its own
NH F&G wildlife biologist Patrick Tate.
Protected-species penalty
Taking a protected species is a misdemeanor
RSA 212-A, via NH Fish & Game.

The honest verdict

Does this actually work?

Chemical control for squirrels, chipmunks, and similar mammals is largely a myth as a legal, effective DIY option — there is no legal general-use poison, and misapplied rodenticide creates poisoning risk without solving the problem.

Myth — Here’s the Evidence

Evidence: NH Fish & Game governs nuisance mammals, not the pesticide program; the department's own guidance leads with removing food/attractants, not chemistry, and out-of-season trapping requires a licensed Wildlife Control Operator, underscoring that this is a wildlife-law problem, not a pesticide-label one.

Works when

You skip chemicals entirely and remove food attractants (bird feeders, pet food, garbage, fallen fruit)
Entry points are sealed with hardware cloth and steel outside of nesting season
A licensed Wildlife Control Operator is called for trapping or removal when needed

Fails when

You try to use rat/mouse rodenticide off-label on squirrels or chipmunks (illegal and ineffective for the species)
You use glue boards on mammals this size (inhumane, largely ineffective, catches non-target wildlife)
You seal entry points during nesting season (traps young animals inside)
You attempt DIY trapping or relocation without a WCO license

At a glance

Squirrels and chipmunks aren't a spray-and-done problem — here's why

How it works

Pro-only

There isn't a legal chemical mode of action to describe here — that's the point. Squirrels, chipmunks, voles, moles, woodchucks, skunks, and raccoons are wildlife regulated by NH Fish & Game, and no general-use poison is legally available to homeowners for them. "Control" for this group works through physical exclusion (denying entry and food) and habitat modification, not chemistry.

Vital stats

Time: Ongoing habitat management; trapping resolution varies by species and season
Best for: Nothing, chemically — this page exists to redirect searchers toward the legal, effective approach (exclusion and, where needed, licensed trapping) rather than a chemical option that doesn't legitimately exist for these species.
Cost: free inspection / same-day service for licensed wildlife control; exclusion materials are low-cost

If you're searching for a chemical way to get rid of squirrels, chipmunks, voles, moles, woodchucks, skunks, or raccoons, the honest answer is that there mostly isn't one. These are wildlife, not structural pests, and New Hampshire Fish & Game — not the pesticide program — governs how they're legally handled. There is no legal over-the-counter poison for squirrels, chipmunks, or raccoons, glue boards are both inhumane and largely ineffective on mammals this size, and misapplying a rodenticide meant for mice can secondarily poison pets and non-target wildlife without solving the problem.

The good news: the tool that actually works — exclusion — doesn't require a pesticide license at all. This page walks through what's legal to DIY, what NH Fish & Game requires for trapping, and when to call a licensed Wildlife Control Operator instead of reaching for a chemical that either doesn't exist or isn't legal to use this way.

Step by step

How to do it

Identify the animal and confirm it isn't protected
Confirm the species before doing anything else — protected species under RSA 212-A cannot legally be trapped or harmed, and rabies-vector species (raccoons, skunks) should not be handled directly.
Caution: When in doubt, contact NH Fish & Game or a licensed WCO before acting.
Remove food attractants
Take down bird feeders, secure pet food and garbage, and clear fallen fruit — NH Fish & Game's core guidance is that removing the draw often resolves the problem without any further action.
Tip: This single step solves many squirrel and chipmunk nuisance calls on its own.
Seal entry points — outside nesting season only
Use hardware cloth and steel to close attic vents, soffit gaps, and foundation openings. Confirm no animals are denned inside first.
Caution: Do not seal during nesting season — flying squirrels litter late February and mid-July (UNH Extension) — or you'll trap young animals inside.
Protect plantings mechanically
Use hardware-cloth baskets around bulbs and root vegetables and fencing around garden beds for voles, chipmunks, and woodchucks rather than any chemical repellent or poison.
Tip: Physical barriers outperform any spray or granule against burrowing/digging mammals.
Call a licensed Wildlife Control Operator if removal is needed
If an animal is already denned inside a structure or trapping is necessary, hire a licensed WCO — DIY trapping outside the regular season is not legal in NH.
Caution: Never deploy poison or glue boards for these species — they're either illegal, ineffective, or both.

What you need

Tools & materials

Hardware cloth
Seal entry points and protect plantings
Galvanized ¼–½ inch mesh depending on species and gap size
One-way excluder doors
Let a denned animal leave without letting it back in
Install only outside nesting season
Steel flashing/mesh
Reinforce vulnerable entry points (soffits, vents, foundation gaps)
More durable than foam or plastic, which mammals can chew through
Fencing
Exclude woodchucks and similar ground-dwelling mammals from gardens
Bury the base to prevent digging under
Flashlight
Confirm a den or entry point is unoccupied before sealing
Check at dusk/dawn when activity is highest

Products & actives

What to use — the label is the law

Product classes only — never a dosage. Always read and follow the product label.

No legal general-use poison for this group

Restricted — licensed only

Active class: Not applicable

Chemical control does not legitimately apply to squirrels, chipmunks, voles, moles, woodchucks, skunks, or raccoons for homeowner use

Any burrow fumigant or rodenticide-style product for these species is tightly label-restricted and not appropriate DIY — read and follow the label, and assume licensing applies

Stay safe

Safety first

Pets
High risk
Never use rodenticide meant for rats/mice on this species group — it doesn't reliably work on them and creates real secondary-poisoning risk to pets that might scavenge bait or a carcass.
Children
Caution
Keep kids away from any den site, especially rabies-vector species (raccoons, skunks); do not allow direct contact with wildlife.
General
Severe
Raccoons and skunks are rabies-vector species — do not handle bare-handed, and do not attempt DIY removal. Any bite or scratch warrants immediate medical attention.
Applicator
Low risk
Wear gloves for any exclusion work near a den; a licensed Wildlife Control Operator should handle trapping and direct animal contact.

Avoid these

Common mistakes

Why this method fails in practice.

Trying to poison squirrels, chipmunks, or raccoons — illegal and ineffective for this species group
Using glue boards on mammals this size — inhumane and largely ineffective
Sealing entry points during nesting season, trapping young animals inside
Attempting DIY trapping or relocation without a Wildlife Control Operator license
Handling raccoons or skunks directly, risking rabies exposure

New Hampshire context

Small-mammal law in New Hampshire

NH Fish & Game, not the state pesticide program, is the controlling authority for nuisance mammals — squirrels, chipmunks, voles, moles, woodchucks, skunks, and raccoons all fall under wildlife law rather than RSA 430's pesticide rules. Trapping any of these species outside the regular hunting/trapping season requires a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO Level I or II) under NH Fish & Game rule Fis 308. Taking a species protected under RSA 212-A is a misdemeanor. USDA Wildlife Services also provides NH assistance for larger nuisance-wildlife situations at (603) 223-6832.

Peak season

Fall, as squirrels, chipmunks, and other small mammals seek food and shelter before winter

Out-of-season wildlife trapping in NH requires a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (NH Fish & Game rule Fis 308); protected-species violations fall under RSA 212-A.

UNH Extension recommends hardware-cloth exclusion and one-way doors over any chemical approach, and specifically warns against sealing entry points during nesting season.

This method targets

Pests this applies to

Raccoon

Opossum

Chipmunk

Eastern Gray Squirrel

When to call a pro

Wildlife / Nuisance Animal Control with Anchor

This category is fundamentally a wildlife-law problem, not a pesticide problem — and that's exactly where a licensed Wildlife Control Operator earns their license. Anchor's team handles exclusion, habitat modification, and legal trapping under NH Fish & Game rules so you're not left guessing what's legal or humane.

Call us when…

An animal is already denned in an attic, wall, or crawlspace
The species is a rabies-vector (raccoon, skunk) and shouldn't be handled directly
You need trapping outside the regular season, which requires WCO licensing
You're unsure whether a species on your property is protected under RSA 212-A
Exclusion work needs to happen but you can't confirm the den is empty

Wildlife / Nuisance Animal Control

free inspection; same-day service across southern and central New Hampshire.

Get a free inspection Learn about the service

Keep them out

Remove bird feeders, secure pet food, and cap garbage cans to cut the primary attractant
Seal attic, soffit, and foundation gaps outside of nesting season
Protect garden plantings with hardware-cloth baskets and fencing rather than repellents

Common questions

Frequently asked

Sources & further reading(4)

[1]
NH Fish & Game — Wildlife Control Operators
WCO licensing requirement for out-of-season trapping (Fis 308)
govverified 2026-07-13
[2]
NH Fish & Game — Nuisance Wildlife
Attractant-removal-first guidance from NH F&G biologist Patrick Tate
govverified 2026-07-13
[3]
UNH Cooperative Extension — Nuisance Wildlife Around the Home
Hardware-cloth exclusion, one-way doors, nesting-season sealing caution, vole trapping guidance
extensionverified 2026-07-13
[4]
Animal Legal & Historical Center — NH Wildlife Damage Control statute summary
RSA 212-A protected-species framework
academicverified 2026-07-13

Written & reviewed by

Verified

Daniel Brady

NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664 (NHDAMF, RSA 430)

Daniel Brady is the New Hampshire–licensed applicator behind Anchor Pest Services, a family-owned pest control company serving the Manchester area since 2017.

Verify license

Anchor Pest Services

When small mammal pests won't quit, we will.

Same-day service across Southern New Hampshire. NH-licensed #782664. Family-owned since 2017. We diagnose the pest, then treat it the right way — with a satisfaction guarantee.

Get a free inspection Call (603) 785-0118

Keep Exploring

Chemical Squirrel & Small-Mammal Control: The Wrong Tool

Works when

Fails when

Squirrels and chipmunks aren't a spray-and-done problem — here's why

How it works

How to do it

Identify the animal and confirm it isn't protected

Remove food attractants

Seal entry points — outside nesting season only

Protect plantings mechanically

Call a licensed Wildlife Control Operator if removal is needed

Tools & materials

Hardware cloth

One-way excluder doors

Steel flashing/mesh

Fencing

Flashlight