Getting squirrels out of your house can seem like a daunting task, but with some persistence and the right techniques, it can be done. Here are the most effective methods for humanely removing squirrels from your home and keeping them from returning.
Identify Entry Points and Seal Them
The first step is finding out where the squirrels are getting in. Check areas like:
- Attic vents
- Gaps around chimneys
- Holes in eaves or roof
- Openings where cables enter the house
- Cracks around windows or doors
Once you locate the entry points, seal them shut with hardware cloth, steel wool, caulk, or other appropriate materials. Be sure to search the entire exterior of the house to ensure you find all possible access points. Checking both high and low is important.
Install Exclusion Devices
Installing exclusion devices prevents squirrels from getting back inside after sealing up entry points. Options include:
- Chimney caps on top of chimneys
- Wire mesh over attic vents
- Weather stripping around doors and windows
The openings need to be small enough to keep squirrels out but not restrict proper ventilation. Exclusion devices help make your hard sealing work permanent.
Use Repellents and Scare Tactics
Making your home inhospitable encourages squirrels to leave and deters them from trying to gain access. Tactics can include:
- Sprinkling cayenne pepper or ground black pepper around entry points
- Placing mothballs or ammonia-soaked rags near entry points (the strong smell repels squirrels)
- Installing motion sensor lights, radios, or noisemakers near entry points
- Letting a dog spend time in the yard, as squirrels don’t like dogs
Use scare tactics and repellents until you can fully seal and exclude squirrels from your house. They provide immediate relief while you work on permanent solutions.
Set Humane Traps
Trapping is an effective method for removing squirrels from inside your home. Considerations when trapping:
- Use havahart-style traps designed not to harm squirrels
- Bait traps with walnuts, peanut butter, or fruit to entice squirrels
- Place traps near doors, in the attic, or where you’ve seen squirrels
- Check traps daily and release squirrels outdoors once caught
- Ensure babies aren’t separated from mothers before evicting
Trapping allows you to remove squirrels in a safe, humane way once they’ve made it into your house. Be sure to take them at least 5 miles away when releasing.
Call a Professional
For severe infestations or if you can’t find or reach entry points, calling a professional may be your best option. A licensed wildlife control expert can:
- Thoroughly inspect your home to find all access points
- Safely remove squirrels from walls, attics, and other hard-to-reach spots
- Professionally install exclusion devices to permanently keep squirrels out
- Provide customized solutions for your situation
- Offer a guarantee for their work
Though it costs more, a professional can eliminate your squirrel problem once and for all. Make sure to get an estimate first and see if the company is licensed and insured.
Prevent Squirrels from Returning
Prevention is key to ensuring squirrels don’t infest your home again after removing them. Recommended prevention tips:
- Regularly check your home for new openings or entry points
- Keep overhanging tree branches well-trimmed back from the house
- Maintain exclusion devices to ensure they stay functional
- Remove outdoor food sources like bird feeders at night
- Keep compost bins and trash cans securely closed
- Plant vegetable gardens away from the house
Staying vigilant helps avoid providing access and desirability for squirrels to re-enter your home. Address any new openings right away.
How to Get Squirrels out of Your House
Getting rid of squirrels for good requires diligence and persistence. By using a combination of sealing entry points, installing exclusion devices, employing scare tactics and repellents, humanely trapping squirrels, and calling professionals when needed, you can successfully evict squirrels and keep them from coming back. With some effort and these proven techniques, you can reclaim your home from unwanted squirrel invaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people have about removing squirrels from their homes:
What if I can’t find where the squirrels are getting in?
Inspect the entire exterior of your home closely, including the roof and attic. Look for small openings they may be squeezing through. You may need to call a professional to locate hard-to-find entry points.
How do I remove a squirrel from my walls or ceiling?
Don’t attempt this on your own. Contact a wildlife control company to safely extract squirrels trapped in walls or ceilings using humane trapping methods. Never try smoking or flooding squirrels out.
Is it okay to use poison or shoot squirrels with a BB gun?
No. Poison and shooting squirrels are inhumane, illegal in many states, and could lead to dead squirrels in hard-to-reach areas causing foul odors. Always opt for humane trapping and release methods.
What if the squirrels keep coming back after I trap and release them?
You’ll need to find and seal up any openings they’re using to re-enter. Release trapped squirrels at least 5 miles from your home so they’re less likely to return. Reinforce exclusions and maintain prevention measures.
Do I need a permit to trap squirrels?
Regulations vary by state. Many states allow trapping nuisance squirrels without a permit, but check your local wildlife laws to be sure. Permits are often required for translocating and releasing squirrels.
Conclusion
Removing squirrels from your home involves diligent detective work to find entry points, vigilant exclusion tactics to keep them out, and humane trapping to extract them safely. While squirrels can be persistent pests, they can be successfully evicted through sealing up access, enhancing deterrence, trapping, working with professionals, and maintaining prevention. With concerted effort using these key methods, you can reclaim your home and keep it free of troublesome squirrels for the long term.