If you don’t see the gerbil escape and you don’t know where it is, then you can’t assume it is in the same room that you last saw it in.
If the gerbil escapes in a room that contains accessible food, such as the kitchen, look in food areas that the gerbil could reach first. Lay down on the floor and look under all of the furniture in the room. Look in piles of clothes and other areas where gerbils might think they can comfortably nest.
A gerbil cornered towards a steep drop could go off a ledge by accident just because it is scared and confused. Also, be sure to keep possible hazards away from the gerbil. For example, keep other pets out of the area.
If you just need to leave the room to get tools for catching the gerbil, try to find someone to watch the animal while you are gone. Having someone stay in the room will allow you to keep track of where the gerbil is.
The natural response at this point is often to work quickly, but this often backfires. Gerbils have prey instincts, and a large predator-type creature quickly approaching will cause the natural response of scurrying away. If the gerbil is new to you and doesn’t really know you, it may run just at the sight of you. If it is acclimated to you, your presence will most likely not scare it off.
You can use the pellets, seed, or vegetables that you usually feed to your gerbil. However, pick what the animal likes to eat best. [7] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source If you have several options, use a food that has a strong smell. This will allow your gerbil to smell it and be lured to it more easily.
Be sure to be gentle when grabbing it, but also make sure that you don’t let it slip out of your hand.
You may need to move the cage to a place where the gerbil can easily get to it.
The gerbil will be lured towards the smell of the food. It will go up the ramp and then leap into the bucket to get the food. Once in the bucket, it won’t be able to get out. The towel at the bottom of the bucket will cushion the gerbil’s fall. You can make the ramp out of stacks of books or a piece of wood. Alternatively, use a child’s fishing net or butterfly net on a pole. Place a treat on the net and gently scoop up the gerbil when they wander over the net.
There are a variety of humane traps available at most home improvement and hardware stores.
A pest control professional may be able to place a variety of humane traps around your home that can catch your gerbil safely.
There are a wide variety of types of cage doors. If you have the type that simply swings closed, make sure that it is latched as well, as gerbils can push against these doors and open them.
Gerbils can squeeze through holes as small as 1⁄2 inch (1. 3 cm). Make sure all holes this size are filled or blocked off. [10] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Gerbils can also jump quite high, so if you are using an open top cage, make sure that the gerbil can’t jump out of it.
Glass aquariums work well for gerbils, as the animals are not able to chew through the glass.
You should also provide your gerbil with enough bedding so that it can burrow. If it can’t create a sheltered place of its own, it may try to get out of the cage to find one. [12] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
