Squirrels go nuts at Texas Capitol

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The State of Texas is trying to relocate the overcrowding squirrel population on the Capitol grounds, using small traps at night to collect some of the rodents and ship them off to a private Dripping Springs ranch area.

According to the State Preservation Board, the overpopulation of squirrels is causing the girdling of the trees, which is the stripping of bark off the trees around the circumference of the trees - causing their death.

There's a lot of activity in the shadow of the dome, but you might have to look a little closer to really notice.

"This might sound weird, but I love squirrels," said state worker Allison Brooks. "I think they're funny and entertaining."

Hundreds of the little guys blanket the 22-acre lawn surrounding the Capitol, and some visitors enjoy their company.

KXAN Austin News reporter Jarrod Wise said to one woman, "And you're taking pictures of them?"

"Of course, because they're cute," said visitor Kerstin Milazzo.

"And they're pretty," said Brooks. "A lot of squirrels are gray or old or white or don't have very much hair on them. So, these are definitely good-looking squirrels."

But, as they continue to multiply, so do the problems. The rodents reportedly eat the tree bark and limbs around the Capitol, causing a lot of unsightly foliage.

Now, the state is setting up traps to catch some of the rodents and ship them off.

"You don't usually hear about rodents being relocated," said Brooks. "I didn't think people put that much energy into that kind of thing."

Capitol workers aren't using nuts to lure the squirrels. Instead, they're using apples and peanut butter.

Nightly workers set up five- to six metal traps around the lawn containing the tasty treats. Each trap holds one squirrel.

We coated an apple with peanut butter to see if it was of interest to the furry little guys, and within minutes, a squirrel snatched it up and started munching away.

"They're definitely people-friendly," said Brooks. "They're not like scurrying around hiding or anything."

So far, 150 squirrels have been relocated to a private 28-acre ranch home in Dripping Springs , where a couple lets them run loose on their property.

State officials are not sure how long they will continue to put the traps out, but each time more move out, others move right back in.

"They're just entertaining," said Brooks, as she laughed.

"It gives a personality to the city," said Milazzo.