How to Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Home
How to Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Home: A Guide to Safe and Effective Squirrel Removal
Squirrels can quickly become a headache if they invade your attic, walls, or other parts of your home. They’re often drawn indoors when they’re looking for shelter, particularly during colder months, and once they’re inside, they can cause structural damage, chew on wiring, and leave behind droppings. This guide offers an overview of what doesn’t work, how exclusion and trapping are carried out by professionals, and why DIY squirrel removal is generally not recommended due to safety risks.
DIY Methods That Don’t Work
When trying to get rid of squirrels, many people attempt quick DIY fixes they find online. Unfortunately, some of these approaches are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Here’s what to avoid:
Ultrasonic Noise Machines: These devices claim to emit high-pitched sounds that may temporarily annoy animals. However, squirrels often become accustomed to the noise or find a new spot within the attic the noise does not travel, making these tools ineffective.
Household Sprays and Repellents: Items like peppermint oil, ammonia, or vinegar sprays might seem like simple deterrents, but they rarely deter squirrels and can create lingering odors inside your home.
Mothballs and Strong Scents: Squirrels are resilient to strong smells and usually adapt quickly to them. Mothballs can even be harmful to humans and pets if misused.
Professional Methods: Exclusion and Trapping
While many DIY methods fail, the best way to remove squirrels is through a combination of humane trapping and exclusion:
Trapping: A licensed wildlife professional will place live traps in areas where squirrels are active. Live cage traps are generally preferred for squirrel capture, but some squirrel species, like Western gray squirrels, may require special permits and handling. A single door trap that is 5 inches by 5 inches by 18 inches baited with whole peanut, corn, and sunflower seeds generally produce results. Keep in mind in California most species are supposed to be euthanized, while western gray squirrels may receive a relocation permit. Squirrel relocation services should also be approached with caution
Exclusion: This process involves sealing up all potential entry points once squirrels have been removed. Key areas for exclusion include:
Roof Intersections and Soffits: Roof edges and soffits often provide gaps where squirrels slip in. These can be sealed with metal flashing and high-quality caulk.
Gable and Siding Vents: Vents are another common entry point, and they should be covered with sturdy ¼-inch hardware cloth.
Siding Holes: Any holes in the siding need to be patched with metal, as squirrels can easily chew through foam or softer materials.
It’s critical to use materials that squirrels can’t chew through. Never use foam to seal entry points, as squirrels will simply chew through it. Also, always ensure that all squirrels are out of the structure before fully sealing it, as you don’t want to accidentally trap any animals inside.
Safety Considerations for Squirrel Removal
Squirrel removal, particularly exclusion and trapping, requires specific skills and safety precautions that make DIY removal risky. Here’s why safety is a top priority for professionals—and why it’s a significant challenge for DIYers.
Protective Gear: Gloves and boots are essential for handling traps and other equipment to protect against scratches or bites. Squirrels may carry parasites or diseases, so direct contact should be avoided. Gloves are very important when cutting materials like hardware cloth, as these metals will slice your hands.
Tool Safety: Working with heavy-duty materials like sheet metal, hardware cloth, and high-quality sealants requires special tools and skills. Cutting and handling metal should only be done with the appropriate tools and experience, as mistakes can result in cuts or other injuries.
Ladder and Roof Safety: Squirrel removal often involves accessing high points on the roof or near the eaves. Working on a ladder or rooftop without proper training can lead to falls and serious injuries. Professionals are trained to handle these heights with care and use the right equipment to ensure safety. When working on a roof, a harness and rope system should be worn and properly anchored to prevent fatal falls.
Sealing Safety: It’s essential to check for active squirrel presence before sealing up entry points, as trapping squirrels inside your home can cause stress for the animals and lead to odors, damage, and potentially dangerous attempts by the animals to escape. Wildlife experts use one-way doors to ensure animals leave without returning before final sealing.
Laws and Regulations: Some squirrel species may be protected under local wildlife laws, and permits may be required for certain removal methods. A licensed wildlife control company is familiar with these regulations and ensures that all removal and exclusion are done legally and humanely.
Essential Materials for Exclusion
To make a structure truly squirrel-proof, the right materials are critical:
Sheet Metal: Ideal for sealing large gaps, particularly on the roof and soffit intersections where squirrels often break in.
1/4-Inch Hardware Cloth: This strong metal mesh can be used to cover vents and smaller openings that might otherwise let squirrels slip inside. It’s durable and resists chewing.
High-Quality Sealants and Caulking: Use exterior-grade caulking to ensure a durable, weather-resistant seal. Avoid using expanding foam, which squirrels can easily chew through.
Why We Don’t Recommend DIY Squirrel Removal
Removing squirrels from your home isn’t a simple task; it involves expertise in wildlife behavior, knowledge of the tools and materials needed, and a firm understanding of safety protocols. Attempting to handle this without the right experience can put both you and the animals at risk. Hiring a professional ensures a safe, effective, and humane removal process that protects your home and respects the wildlife around you.
If you suspect you have squirrels in your attic or other parts of your home, consider reaching out to a professional wildlife control service. They’ll assess the situation, remove the squirrels, and secure your home against future invasions—safely and responsibly.
Time to call a professional? At Gold Country Wildlife Control we specialize in professional squirrel removal in Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado Counties in California, and Douglas and Washoe Counties in Nevada. If you would like to discuss your issue or would like help finding and operator near you, please feel free to call us!
