Pest and Diseases

How To Remove Squirrels In The Attic & Prevent Coming Around

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You are not alone in facing the problem of squirrels making themselves at home in your attic. These creatures can cause various damages to your property, such as biting through wood, wiring, and insulation.

In this article, we will guide you through efficient methods for removing squirrels from your attic and offer helpful advice for keeping them from coming back, so your house is safe and secure while they are gone.

1. Inspection and Entry Point Identification

The first step to prevent a squirrel attack in your attic is to check it carefully and identify the entry point from where the squirrels are getting in. It would help if you looked for holes, gaps, or damaged areas in the roof or vents.

You can take the appropriate action to seal these areas once you've identified them. This is important because you could have a persistent issue if you don't address these entry points.

2. Live Traps

The humane way to capture squirrels and remove them from your attic is to install live traps. When you are using a live trap, set it up close to where you have observed squirrel activity or in an area where they have access.

You can use nuts or seeds, or any other food, to attract them to the trap. After capturing the squirrel, let it go to a suitable spot outside of your house. T Make sure to close off any openings after removal to keep squirrels out and away.

3. Havahart Traps

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Havahart traps are designed to trap tiny animals through a wire mesh cage with a door that closes when the squirrel enters, triggered by a bait inside. A Havahart trap should be used in an area where you have observed squirrel activity, such as close to their feeding or entry points.

You should use squirrel-attracting foods, like nuts or sunflower seeds, to bait the trap. After capturing it, carefully move the squirrel to a distant area of your property before releasing it.

4. Exclusion Devices

Exclusion devices can help you keep squirrels out of your attic. Installing a one-way door over the squirrels' entry points is a common type. With this device, the squirrels can leave your attic but are unable to return.

After the squirrels have left, you can shut the openings to prevent them from returning. These tools work well because they give you a humane way to deal with squirrels without trapping or hurting them, and they also offer a way to stop future infestations.

5. Repellents

By making your attic less attractive to the squirrels, repellents can keep squirrels out of your attic. You can use natural substances like oil, cayenne pepper, or garlic which is usually avoided by squirrels.

All you have to do is dunk cotton balls in these mixtures and scatter them throughout your attic. Repellants are useful, but they function best when paired with other tactics like blocking off entryways and eliminating possible food sources.

6. Ultrasonic Devices

Ultrasonic devices produce a high-frequency sound that can be detected by squirrels but it is inaudible to humans and pets. These sounds are uncomfortable for them making the attic less appealing to stay in.

It's critical to place it appropriately and make sure it covers squirrel activity areas. To effectively manage and prevent squirrel infestations, you should combine ultrasonic devices with other control methods, such as sealing entry points and removing food sources.

7. Professional Pest Control

Squirrel infestations in your attic can be expertly resolved with professional pest control services. These experts can effectively manage severe infestations because they have the necessary training and equipment.

They usually carry out a comprehensive examination to find damage, nests, and entry points. They then employ a variety of techniques, adapted to your particular circumstance, including traps, exclusion devices, and repellents.  Engaging professionals can minimize the likelihood of reoccurring infestations and save time.

8. Remove Food Sources

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Removing the food source can also keep the squirrels away from your attic. As the squirrels are drawn to food items, you can get rid of them to prevent the squirrels from getting inside your home. Make sure squirrels cannot access pet food, bird feeders, or any other food sources.

Make sure that trash cans have tight-fitting lids, and maintain tidy outdoor spaces. You can keep your attic squirrel-free by taking out these attractants, which lessen the possibility that squirrels will be drawn to your house in the first place.

9. Trim Trees

Trimming trees around your home can also prevent the squirrels from entering your home to some extent. As they are professional climbers, they can jump from trees to your roof. If you trim the branches regularly away from your roofline, you can prevent their attack in your attic.

By doing so, you can physically block their access to your home or the attic. Furthermore, reducing overhanging branches and dense vegetation lessens the likelihood that squirrels will find entry points into your attic and reduces the amount of potential pathways for them.

Maintaining your yard regularly not only keeps squirrels away but also enhances the general condition and aesthetics of your landscape.

10. Secure Roof Vents

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Securing your roof vents is an important method to prevent the squirrels from entering your attic. Installing strong mesh or screens over these vents will secure them by preventing entry while still enabling adequate ventilation.

Make sure the mesh is firmly fixed to the vent and that it is sufficiently fine to keep squirrels from getting through. Make sure these coverings are kept intact and effective at keeping squirrels out by giving them regular inspections and upkeep. 

11. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers

Motion-activated sprinkles keep the squirrels away by bursting water to frighten or deter them from your attic. You should install sprinklers in locations where squirrel activity is more or where they are likely to enter.

This approach works well as a component of your overall squirrel infestation prevention strategy because it combines a physical deterrent with an element of surprise.

12. Noise Makers

Noise Makers create a disruptive sound that scares the squirrels away. Because they like quiet places and are sensitive to noise, squirrels may find your attic less appealing if you use noise makers there. Put the noise makers next to or in areas where you've observed squirrel activity.

To ensure a comprehensive approach to squirrel deterrents, use noise makers in conjunction with other techniques such as sealing entry points and eliminating food sources.

13. Bright Lights

Bright lights in your attic can help discourage squirrels from entering your attic. It can be uninviting to have bright, flashing lights in the attic since squirrels like quiet, dark places to make their nests.

This technique encourages them to move on in search of a better place to make their nests. To keep the area consistently unpleasant for squirrels, you can use a combination of bright, intermittent lights for best results. Lastly, be sure to seal off any openings to keep them from coming back.

14. Electric Fencing

Low-voltage wires are erected around the edges of regions that squirrels are likely to visit in this kind of fencing. Squirrels are discouraged from getting closer to the wires when they come into contact with them because of the mild but shocking shock they receive.

When it comes to protecting your home's vulnerable spots or important entry points, electric fencing is extremely helpful. To ensure that the fencing effectively deters squirrels, make sure it is installed and maintained correctly.

15. Nesting Removal

To remove the squirrels from your attic permanently, you should carefully remove any nests that they have built there. To protect yourself, you need to wear gloves and a mask. Then, you can dispose of the nest's materials with care.

Once removed, make sure the area is completely cleaned to remove any lingering smell that could draw in more squirrels. By doing this, you can make sure that your attic looks less inviting and is less likely to draw in new pests.

16. Seal Entry Points Post-Removal

Seal Entry Points Post-Removal is an important step after removing squirrels from your attic to prevent them from returning. To safely seal these openings, you should use long-lasting materials such as caulk, hardware cloth, or metal flashing.

Make sure that every possible opening is completely sealed off, as squirrels can fit through even the smallest cracks. You can successfully keep new squirrels out of your home and protect it from further infestations by fixing these weaknesses.

17. Regular Inspections

Regular Inspections refer to the timely checking for evidence of damage, new entry points, or squirrel activity on the outside of your house and in the attic. Check for recently made nests, droppings, or chew marks.

Regular inspections like this will allow you to identify any problems early and take action before they worsen. Maintaining a close eye makes it more likely that your long-term efforts to prevent squirrels from entering your home will be successful.

18. Chemical Repellents

Chemical Repellents make the areas unpleasant and irritating for the squirrels. They are made up of strong-smelling chemicals or compounds that resemble the scent of predators. You can apply the repellent to any areas where you've observed squirrel activity, such as entry points and nesting sites.

You should apply according to the manufacturer's instructions and make sure to reapply frequently, particularly after inclement weather or rain. Chemical repellents have their uses, but they usually work best when combined with other preventative measures.

19. Natural Predators

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Natural predators like owls, hawks, and snakes are the enemies of squirrels which can help to control the damage made by squirrels to your attic. You can install owl nesting boxes or give them a suitable habitat to draw in these predators.

By cultivating an ecosystem that benefits these predators, you can lessen the likelihood of a squirrel infestation in your attic and contribute to the balance of the local wildlife population.

20. Exclusion Services

Professional Exclusion Services prevents the squirrels from entering your home by sealing all their entry points. They safely seal these entry points using specific tools and methods, making sure that pests like squirrels cannot re-enter.

They frequently offer continuing care and monitoring to handle any potential new weaknesses as well, providing a long-term solution to keep pests out of your house.

How To Prevent Squirrels Coming Around

Close Entrances

You should look for any openings or crevices in your house where squirrels could get in. Then, use strong materials to seal these openings, such as caulk or metal mesh.

Observe the eaves, vents, and rooflines closely. Secure closure of these entry points deters squirrels from entering your attic and building a nest.

Leave No Vegetation

You should maintain trimmed shrubs and tree branches away from your roofline. By keeping a safe distance between trees and your house, you can minimize the likelihood that squirrels will climb onto your roof, which they can do easily. 

You can trim any vegetation that might act as a bridge to your attic or roof regularly. Additionally, to make sure that no new vulnerabilities have emerged, think about doing routine inspections.

By doing these things, you can help keep your house safe from future squirrel infestations and drastically lower the likelihood that they will re-enter your attic.

Don't Provide Food

You should get rid of any possible food sources in and around your house. Make sure you keep pet food and bird seed indoors and use tightly closed trash cans.

You can deter squirrels from staying on your property or trying to enter your home by taking away their easy access to food.

Repel Attic With Chemicals

When applying natural repellents in areas where squirrels are known to congregate, think about using cayenne pepper or peppermint oil. Squirrels dislike the potent smells of these substances.

Commercial chemical repellents made especially for squirrels are another option. To ensure that these repellents continue to work well at keeping squirrels away, reapply frequently, especially after rain.

Add Bird Boxes

Attract native predators to your property to assist in managing the squirrel population. Squirrels can be kept at bay by erecting owl nesting boxes or developing habitats that are beneficial to hawks and other predators.

By assisting in the management of the local squirrel population, these natural predators will lessen the possibility of an infestation in your house and maintain the ecosystem's natural balance.