Squirrels may seem cute and harmless, but they can cause significant property damage if left uncontrolled. As resourceful rodents, squirrels have adapted well to living alongside humans, often nesting in attics or chewing through walls and wires. Learning how to identify, prevent, and control squirrel damage is key for homeowners wanting to protect their homes.
Signs of a Squirrel Infestation
Detecting the signs of an active squirrel infestation is the first step. Some indications that squirrels may have invaded your home include:
- Strange scratching or scampering sounds coming from the attic or walls
- A musky odor coming from the attic or other hidden spaces
- Chewed wires, wood, or other materials
- Nesting materials like leaves, twigs, or shredded insulation in the attic or vents
- Squirrel droppings around the house, yard, or attic space
- Visual sightings of squirrels entering or exiting the home
If you observe any of these signs, it’s likely squirrels have found their way inside and require removal before further damage is done.
Common Types of Squirrel Damage
Once inside a home, squirrels can cause a variety of costly damages. Here are some of the most common problems homeowners face:
1. Chewed Wires and Fire Hazards
Squirrels like to sharpen their teeth by gnawing on materials like electrical wires, phone cables, and other conduits. This habit poses serious fire hazards and can cause complete electrical system failure. Repairing or replacing damaged wires is often expensive.
2. Ruined Insulation
Attics with blown-in cellulose insulation provide an inviting nest-building material for squirrels. They will shred and pack down insulation to fashion cozy nests, ruining its insulating value. Fixing insulation usually requires complete replacement.
3. Structural Damage from Chewing
Squirrels also chew on wood beams, soffits, fascia boards, shingles, and other structural elements when constructing nests. This chewing severely compromises wood and allows moisture infiltration, mold growth, and necessitates repairs.
4. Noise Nuisances
The pitter-patter of squirrel feet in walls and ceilings is annoying enough, but they also make an alarming variety of other noises. Chirping, gnawing, fighting, mating, and newborn squeals disrupt peace and quiet.
5. Porch and Landscaping Damage
Chewing damage extends beyond the home itself. Squirrels can shred porch screening, wood trim, outdoor furniture, and damage plants or vegetables in the yard.
6. Unsanitary Contamination
Left uncontrolled, squirrels defecate everywhere, contaminating attics and ductwork with parasites and bacteria. Their urine and decaying nests create foul odors. Allergens and fleas also may spread into living areas.
As you can see, squirrels spell nothing but trouble once they’ve moved in. Taking proactive measures to block their entry is wise.
How Squirrels Gain Access to Homes
Before applying squirrel control methods, it helps to understand how they gain entrance in the first place. Here are some of the most common entry points:
- Attic vents – Squirrels can easily chew through plastic, vinyl, or rusty steel vents and squeeze through openings as small as 2 inches wide.
- Eaves or soffits – Gaps where these overhangs meet the home provide a protected path inside.
- Roof edges – Missing shingles or small gaps along the roofline allow them to penetrate attics.
- Gaps around chimneys – Mortar cracks or gaps around flashing give squirrels access to the internal chimney cavity.
- Gaps around pipes or wires – Any utility conduits entering the home present opportunities for gnawing a hole.
- Openings around AC units – Space around cooling lines, ductwork, or bonnet provide unimpeded access.
- Doors or windows – Sometimes squirrels enter at ground level through loose weatherstripping or pet doors.
- Ridge vents – Caps blocking ridge vents often get knocked off by rain or snow, exposing an entrance.
- Foundation cracks – Any cracks or holes in the foundation or siding provide a ready-made pathway inside.
Sealing off all of these potential entryways is crucial to preventing further infestations after removing the current squirrels.
Preventing Squirrel Access and Damage
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to dealing with squirrels. Here are some smart tactics:
Seal Off Entry Points
A diligent walkaround to identify and seal all possible entryways will go a long way toward keeping them out. Pay special attention to attic and soffit vents, ridges, eaves, roof edges, openings around wires or plumbing, and cracks in the foundation. Seal openings wider than 1/4 inch with hardware cloth, caulk, foam, metal flashing, cement, or other sturdy materials they cannot chew through.
Install Chimney Caps and Vent Covers
Capping your chimney and installing vent covers specifically rated against squirrels on attic, gable, and ridge vents keeps them from gaining entrance through these routes. Seek ones constructed of galvanized steel or powder-coated aluminum for maximum durability.
Use Metal Flashing and High-Quality Shingles
Replace any sections of roofline prone to leaks or missing shingles. Use metal flashing around joints and roof edges to offer fewer handholds. Invest in impact-resistant architectural shingles rated against gale-force winds.
Prune Back Tree Limbs and Plants
Cut back any overhanging tree branches or dense vegetation touching the house. This eliminates easy access to roofs and upper levels. Keep trees adjacent to power lines nicely trimmed.
Remove Attic Clutter
A cluttered, congested attic filled with storage makes a more attractive nesting spot for squirrels. Maintain a tidy attic free of excess materials.
Employ Humane Pest Deterrents
Try sprinkling natural repellents like black pepper, garlic, chili pepper, or ammonia around attic windows, gable vents, and potential entry points to deter squirrels humanely. Change them out frequently to retain potency.
Install Outdoor Lighting
Motion-activated lighting placed strategically around the home will spook nocturnal squirrels away from your house. Illuminated areas make them feel unsafe and exposed.
Keeping squirrels locked outside your home for good involves diligent prevention measures, but also swift removal of current infestations before they inflict major damage.
Trapping and Removing Squirrels Humanely
If squirrels have already gained entry and taken up residence in your home, swift removal action is required. Trapping and releasing them humanely outdoors is the most effective solution:
1. Install One-Way Exclusion Devices
One-way exclusion devices like plastic tubes or wire mesh funnels fit into openings where squirrels are entering your home. They allow squirrels to exit but not re-enter. This is a critical first step before trapping so that no new squirrels can gain access.
2. Setup Live Cage Traps
Strategically place live cage traps such as Havahart traps in areas of high activity. Bait traps with treats like peanut butter, fruit, nuts, and seeds to entice squirrels in. Check traps frequently to ensure any captured squirrels are not in distress.
3. Release at Least 5 Miles Away
Once trapped, transport and release squirrels at least 5 miles away in a rural wooded area. Failure to take them sufficiently far enough away often results in the same squirrels finding their way back into your attic. Mark released squirrels by clipping ear tufts for identification.
4. Continue Trapping Until Squirrels Are Gone
Persistence is key. Keep traps set and continue monitoring for additional activity until all signs of squirrels are eliminated. This may take a week or longer depending on the extent of the infestation. Patience is required.
5. Clean and Disinfect
Once squirrels are successfully removed, thoroughly clean and disinfect attic spaces and anywhere else they frequented using bleach solutions and vacuuming. This removes contamination risks.
6. Make Repairs and Seal Entryways
Complete any needed repairs where squirrels caused damage. More importantly, seal off all possible entryways to prevent re-infestation. A follow-up with family and friends is key to ensure the squirrels have not returned.
Humane trapping and release is the most effective and ethical solution for removing nuisance squirrels from homes. Prevent their return with diligent proofing.
Common Squirrel Control Mistakes to Avoid
When trying to rid your property of destructive squirrels, some common mistakes lead to failed efforts and prolong the problem. Be sure to steer clear of these errors:
- Attempting DIY removal without one-way exclusion devices first – This allows new squirrels access to the home and wasted effort catching the same ones repeatedly.
- Releasing squirrels too close to home – If not transported at least 5+ miles away, squirrels easily find their way back.
- Not sealing entry points post-removal – Any overlooked openings allow squirrels to quickly re-enter before you realize they’ve returned.
- Failure to cut back vegetation and tree limbs – Nearby trees and plants touching the home provide squirrels easy access back inside.
- Trapping during baby season – Legally you cannot trap squirrels with dependent young unable to survive on their own. Wait until young have matured and left the nest.
- Inadequate number of traps – More traps set in problem areas means faster removal of all squirrels present. Too few traps drag out the process.
- Not cleaning up attractants – Leftover pet food, bird seed, fallen fruit, open compost piles, and other attractants outside your home draw more squirrels back to the area.
- Taking shortcuts on repairs – Shoddy, temporary repairs allow squirrels to chew their way back inside. Use durable materials and completely seal gaps.
Avoiding these common missteps helps ensure permanent, effective squirrel removal the first time. Don’t allow small setbacks to discourage you from your goal of a squirrel-free home.
DIY Squirrel Deterrent Options
For homeowners wanting to tackle minor squirrel issues themselves or deter them without trapping, various DIY approaches may help, including:
Strong-Scented Repellents
Substances with strong smells averse to squirrels can be employed around the house, including ammonia, vinegar, garlic, cayenne pepper, chili oil, male urine, predator urine, and more. Reapply them frequently.
Light and Sound Repellents
Devices producing sudden bright lights, ultrasonic tones, or alarming sounds when triggered by motion may startle squirrels away from houses. However, squirrels often become accustomed, lessening effectiveness.
Taste Deterrents
Applying hot sauce, bitter flavors, or other foul-tasting substances along roof edges, window sills, fence tops, or electrical conduits may deter gnawing and climbing. Unfortunately, results tend to be temporary as rainfall washes treatments away.
Scarecrow Tactics
Fake snakes, owls, or loud rattling devices give the impression of danger and may intimidate squirrels initially. But clever squirrels learn to disregard “scarecrows” over time once realizing they pose no real threat.
Pet Dogs
Allowing your dogs to freely patrol your yard and bark at squirrels helps make it an inhospitable environment for them. But dogs need to remain outside when unattended to maintain a continuous squirrel deterrent presence.
For best results, rotate between numerous DIY deterrents rather than relying on just one. Persistence is required since squirrels will try to wait out your harassment efforts. Also realize that severe infestations usually warrant professional trapping services for permanent removal.
When to Call a Professional Exterminator
In certain circumstances, the wisest course of action involves calling in a licensed professional exterminator or wildlife control expert to handle your squirrel issues. Seek professional assistance if:
- You’ve identified large numbers of squirrels inhabiting your home’s attic or walls
- Squirrels have caused extensive damage to your home’s electrical systems or structure
- DIY prevention and removal efforts over weeks prove unsuccessful
- Local laws prohibit DIY wildlife trapping and relocation
- The scope of the job seems too large, complex, or daunting to tackle yourself
- Health concerns like bites or diseases make you uneasy about close contact with squirrels
- You simply prefer having an expert handle the challenging details of squirrel removal
Reputable wildlife control companies employ humane trapping techniques and fully seal entry points after removing squirrels. They know how to legally and permanently clear stubborn infestations. Their expertise streamlines the squirrel eviction process.
Essential First Steps for Stopping Squirrel Damage
Seeing squirrel destruction in your home can feel overwhelming. Focus first on these essential steps to start controlling the situation:
- Identify specific entry points being used to gain access inside
- Install one-way exclusion devices into these openings
- Setup live cage traps near active areas
- Seal any food attractants like pet dishes or bird feeders at night
- Contact a professional to assess if removal assistance is recommended
Taking a proactive stance swiftly limits ongoing damage. With diligence and the right removal tactics, you can protect your home from destructive squirrels long-term. Don’t allow them to continue compromising your home’s safety and integrity. Regain control!
Frequently Asked Questions About Squirrel Damage
Many homeowners have additional questions when dealing with squirrel damage and removal. Here are some of the most common inquiries:
What is the best bait to use in squirrel traps?
A mixture of peanut butter and nuts makes excellent squirrel bait. They also enjoy slices of fresh fruits like apples or oranges.
How do I keep trapped squirrels from injuring themselves?
Check traps frequently so any captured squirrels can be removed promptly. Drape a light cloth over the trap to pacify trapped squirrels until they’re relocated. Avoid traps that clamp down on limbs.
Why shouldn’t I just kill the squirrels on my property?
Simply killing them rarely solves squirrel problems long-term since new ones will keep moving in. A better solution is exclusion and relocation using humane traps. Lethal means should only be a last resort.
What should I do if I find a baby squirrel nest?
Contact a wildlife rehabilitator if you find a tree nest with dependent baby squirrels. It’s best not to disturb the nest. Mothers will usually retrieve unharmed young. Monitor the situation.
Do I need a permit to trap squirrels and release them elsewhere?
Regulations vary regionally. Some states require permits or licenses for squirrel trapping and relocation, even just on private property. Research your local laws.
How can I locate where squirrels are getting into my house?
Observe where droppings accumulate, use flour to detect tracks, and listen for noises. An infrared camera can help identify warm bodies moving through otherwise hidden routes.
Should I hire a professional rather than attempt squirrel removal myself?
If DIY efforts have failed repeatedly, then hiring a pro who can permanently seal entryways and ensure all squirrels are evicted is typically worth the cost.
What other types of damage can squirrels cause?
In addition to burrowing into homes, squirrels may gnaw on vehicles, strip tree bark, dig up gardens, devour crops, chew sprinkler heads, and spread diseases in their droppings.
How much does professional squirrel removal and exclusion cost?
Prices vary based on your region and the details of your specific job. However, expect to pay $200 – $600 for a typical squirrel exclusion project performed by a pest control company.
Conclusion
Squirrels can inflict shocking levels of destruction when they make your home their own. But with awareness of their common entry tactics, proactive prevention, and a swift humane trapping and release program, you can successfully evict them before damage becomes severe. Protect your home’s structure, property value, and your peace of mind by taking decisive, informed action at the first signs of a squirrel problem. Don’t resign yourself to sharing your space with these invasive rodents when effective solutions exist. Reclaim your home for yourself!
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