Hearing scratching, scampering, and rustling coming from above your head? Chances are, you’ve got unwanted guests: squirrels. These bushy-tailed rodents might seem cute in the park, but inside your attic, they’re a nuisance that can cause serious damage. From chewing on electrical wires and insulation to leaving behind droppings and nesting materials, squirrels can compromise your home’s structure and even pose a fire hazard. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away; in fact, it will only worsen over time, leading to more extensive and costly repairs.
Getting rid of squirrels in your attic isn’t just about peace and quiet; it’s about protecting your home and family. The longer they stay, the more damage they’ll inflict, and the harder it will be to evict them. Plus, squirrels often carry parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets. Taking swift action to remove them and prevent future infestations is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy living environment. This guide provides effective and humane strategies to reclaim your attic from these unwelcome invaders.
What are the best ways to get rid of squirrels and keep them out for good?
What’s the most humane way to get squirrels out of my attic?
The most humane way to evict squirrels from your attic involves a one-way exclusion device, combined with thorough attic preparation and sealing of all other potential entry points. This allows the squirrels to leave but prevents them from re-entering, ensuring their safety and a permanent solution to your problem.
To elaborate, the cornerstone of humane squirrel removal is avoiding trapping and relocation. Trapping separates mothers from their young (often hidden in the attic), leading to the death of the babies and immense stress for the adult. Relocation is also problematic, as squirrels are territorial and unfamiliar environments present challenges for survival. Instead, focus on exclusion. First, identify all possible entry points around your house – look for holes or gaps in the roofline, near vents, or where pipes enter the house. Seal all but one or two of these openings securely with heavy-gauge hardware cloth or sheet metal. At the remaining opening(s), install a one-way exclusion device. These devices, often cone-shaped or a simple flap, allow squirrels to push their way out but prevent them from pushing back in. Before installing the exclusion device, ensure there are no baby squirrels in the attic. Spring and fall are typically breeding seasons. If you suspect young squirrels are present, wait until they are old enough to leave the nest on their own (usually around 8-10 weeks). You can try the “noise test” - make loud noises in the attic to scare the mother away temporarily and check for the sounds of baby squirrels. After you’re confident all squirrels are out, seal the final entry point with durable materials. Finally, clean and sanitize the attic to remove scent trails and nesting materials, further discouraging re-entry.
How do I identify squirrel entry points into your attic?
Identifying squirrel entry points into your attic requires a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior of your home, focusing on areas where squirrels commonly gain access, such as the roofline, eaves, vents, and any existing holes or gaps.
Start your search outside by walking the perimeter of your house and carefully examining the roof, paying close attention to where the roof meets the walls (the eaves). Look for any obvious holes, cracks, or gnawed areas. Squirrels are adept climbers, so check any overhanging tree branches that could provide a bridge to your roof. Vents, such as gable vents, soffit vents, and plumbing vent stacks, are also common entry points. Make sure screens are intact and securely attached. Don’t forget to check lower areas, like foundation vents and gaps around pipes or wires entering the house, as squirrels can climb walls. Look for telltale signs like greasy smudges around holes (from their fur), droppings near potential entry points, or chewed wood. Inside your attic, use a flashlight to inspect the underside of the roof and around vents for any light coming through. This can indicate a potential entry point, even a small one. Look for piles of nesting material (leaves, twigs, insulation), droppings, or chewed wires, which can also help you pinpoint where the squirrels are active. If you suspect a specific area but can’t visually confirm an entry point, try stuffing the suspected hole with loosely crumpled newspaper. Check back in a day or two to see if the paper has been pushed out, confirming squirrel activity. Remember to be cautious when working in your attic, wearing protective gear like a mask and gloves, and avoiding disturbing any nests you might find.
Will mothballs or ultrasonic devices actually deter squirrels?
No, mothballs and ultrasonic devices are generally not effective at deterring squirrels from attics. While they might seem like easy solutions, their effectiveness is minimal and often short-lived, with squirrels quickly habituating to the smells or sounds.
Mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, chemicals intended to deter moths, but their odor is not consistently offensive enough to drive squirrels away. Furthermore, the concentration of these chemicals required to potentially deter squirrels could pose health risks to humans and pets within the home. Using them in large quantities is often ineffective and can create an unpleasant and potentially hazardous environment. Many pest control professionals advise against using mothballs for squirrel control due to these limitations and risks. Ultrasonic devices emit high-frequency sounds purported to repel rodents. However, research and practical experience suggest squirrels quickly adapt to these sounds and continue their activities without being significantly bothered. The effectiveness of these devices is highly variable, and many consumers report they do not provide a lasting solution. A more effective approach involves physically removing the squirrels, sealing entry points, and implementing preventative measures. Focus on humane trapping and exclusion techniques combined with habitat modification to prevent future infestations.
After removing squirrels, how do I prevent them from returning?
The most effective way to prevent squirrels from returning to your attic is to thoroughly seal all potential entry points they used to gain access, and eliminate any attractants around your property that may lure them back.
Sealing entry points is paramount. Squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, sometimes as little as 3 inches in diameter. Inspect your roofline, vents, eaves, soffits, and any areas where pipes or wires enter your house. Use heavy-duty materials like metal flashing, hardware cloth (a wire mesh), or caulk to seal these gaps. Pay close attention to areas where different building materials meet, as these are common points of weakness. Ensure that any repairs are robust and squirrel-proof, as they are persistent creatures. Beyond sealing entry points, minimizing attractants will reduce the likelihood of squirrels being drawn to your property in the first place. Clear away fallen nuts, seeds, and berries from around your yard. Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. If you have bird feeders, consider taking them down temporarily or using squirrel-resistant designs. Trim tree branches that overhang your roof, as these provide easy access for squirrels to reach your attic. Regular property maintenance and vigilance are key to long-term squirrel prevention.
What are the dangers of having squirrels living in my attic?
Having squirrels in your attic poses several risks, including structural damage from gnawing and nesting, fire hazards due to damaged electrical wiring, and health concerns from exposure to their droppings and parasites. These problems can be costly to repair and remediate, and can potentially expose you to diseases.
Squirrels are rodents with a persistent need to gnaw. In your attic, they can chew on wooden beams, support structures, and electrical wires. Gnawing on wires is a significant fire hazard, as it can expose the conductors and create short circuits. Furthermore, their nesting materials, often composed of dried leaves, twigs, and other flammable debris, compound the fire risk. The structural integrity of your attic can be compromised over time by their chewing habits, leading to costly repairs to your roof, walls, and insulation. Beyond structural and fire dangers, squirrels also carry diseases and parasites. Their droppings can contaminate insulation and other materials, potentially leading to respiratory problems or other health issues if inhaled or ingested. Squirrels can also host fleas, ticks, and mites, which can then infest your home and potentially transmit diseases. The longer squirrels reside in your attic, the higher the risk of these secondary infestations occurring. Cleanup of squirrel droppings and contaminated materials should always be handled with proper protective gear and sanitization procedures.
Should I hire a professional to remove squirrels from my attic?
Yes, hiring a wildlife removal professional is generally recommended for squirrel removal from attics. Squirrel removal can be complex, involving trapping, exclusion, and damage repair, and untrained attempts can be ineffective, inhumane, or even dangerous.
Squirrels in attics are not just a nuisance; they can cause significant damage by gnawing on electrical wires, insulation, and wooden structures. Their nesting materials and droppings can also create health hazards. While DIY methods like repellent sprays or ultrasonic devices may offer temporary relief, they rarely solve the root of the problem. A professional wildlife removal service will identify entry points, humanely remove the squirrels (often through live trapping), seal those entry points to prevent future infestations, and clean and sanitize the affected areas. This comprehensive approach addresses both the immediate problem and prevents future occurrences. Attempting to trap and relocate squirrels yourself can be problematic. Many jurisdictions have regulations regarding the trapping and relocation of wildlife, and it’s crucial to be aware of these laws. Furthermore, relocating squirrels without proper exclusion techniques often results in the squirrels (or others) simply finding their way back into your attic, or causing problems for the animal itself. Professionals are knowledgeable about local regulations, possess the right equipment and experience, and can ensure the process is carried out humanely and legally. They can also assess the extent of the damage and provide advice on repairs needed to prevent future infestations.
What time of year is best to remove squirrels from the attic?
The best time of year to remove squirrels from your attic is generally during the late summer (August-September) or late winter (February-March). These periods fall outside of the typical breeding seasons, minimizing the risk of leaving behind dependent baby squirrels.
Removing squirrels during the late summer and late winter significantly reduces the chances of encountering a nest of young squirrels. Squirrels typically have two breeding seasons: late winter/early spring (January-March) and late summer (June-August). If you remove a mother squirrel during breeding season, the young squirrels will be left to starve, die, or potentially cause significant damage trying to escape in search of their mother. This is not only inhumane but also creates an unpleasant and potentially hazardous situation within your attic, attracting insects and creating foul odors. While it’s always best to address a squirrel infestation as soon as you discover it, prioritizing timing can prevent unnecessary suffering and complications. If you suspect squirrels are nesting in your attic during breeding season, it’s best to consult with a wildlife removal professional. They have the expertise to carefully assess the situation and implement strategies to safely remove both the mother and her young, or to wait until the young are old enough to leave the nest on their own, before implementing exclusion methods.
Well, that’s a wrap! Hopefully, these tips have given you a good starting point for evicting those furry freeloaders from your attic. Remember to stay persistent and safe, and before you know it, you’ll have your quiet, squirrel-free home back. Thanks for reading, and feel free to swing by again if any other critter conundrums pop up!