Build a better squirrel trap and the world will beat a path to your door.

(Daily Citizen) The Bald Knob city council dealt with the squirrel problem, accepted a resignation from the council, heard from Barth Grayson on potential issues with the Horton property as the site of the sports complex, approved raises, and approved expenditures for Collison Park during a busy agenda Monday night. The council addressed the city’s problem with destructive squirrels that are “causing thousands of dollars of damage to homes,” according to Alderman Jerry Case, by voting to spend up to $500 to buy live traps, which residents will soon be able to check out at the police department. Assistant Chief Jim Dunham agreed to administer the program. “I’d rather spend money on traps than have people shooting,” Alderman Johnny Hodges said.

Dunham reported that Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said they would not give blanket permission to kill squirrels within the city limits but could do so on a case-by-case basis. However, a wildlife officer will be sent out to make sure the homeowner has exhausted all other means of dealing with nuisance squirrels, including checking to see if live traps had been used, before issuing a permit to a homeowner. Traps can be baited with peanut butter, Dunham said. Billy Collison of J. Collison Company said he would check on the price of live traps.