How to Get Rid of Squirrels
Squirrels are amusing to watch when they’re chasing each other down a fence and energetically jumping from tree to tree. But you’ll start to wonder how to get rid of squirrels when you are watching them dig holes in your garden, eat from your bird feeders and you hear them scampering around your attic. Since they gnaw on anything, including your attic wood and wiring, make a mess in the space, and carry diseases and parasites, a squirrel that comes indoors needs to be dealt with in a timely manner.
Identification
The first sign that you’re cohabitating with a squirrel is usually the scurrying noise above your ceiling. If you haven’t seen the rodent but suspect it’s a squirrel, signs in the attic will include droppings, gnaw marks and things from outdoors that they’ve carried in like leaves, twigs, nuts and pits. There may be evidence they’re setting up house with nesting materials.
Prevention
Sometimes the best way to keep the rodents from inside your home and out of your garden and bird feeders is to manage the number of squirrels around your yard. Here are some suggestions about how to get rid of squirrels from your property and how to control the ones that do come around.
- Control outdoor food sources like pet foods, garbage and insects.
- Plant seedless varieties of trees to cut back on your yard’s food supply, which will in turn cut back on your yard’s squirrel population.
- Trim tree limbs at least eight feet from your home to keep squirrels from jumping on your roof and gaining access to the indoors.
- Install porcupine wire wherever necessary since its sharpness will keep squirrels from climbing.
- Hang bird feeders away from trees on a large-diameter metal pole and on a chain. Include at least one squirrel baffle, a device constructed to make it hard for squirrels to climb the pole. Squirrel-resistant bird feeders often keep squirrels away from the seeds.
- Avoid setting up feeding stations for squirrels to lure them away from bird feeders. This will encourage a larger squirrel population and increase the chance of damage in and around your home.
- Fill in holes around the outside of your home given that some squirrels can fit in ones the size of a golf ball and gnaw it bigger if need be.
How to Get Rid of Squirrels Inside Your Home
Since there’s no way to control all the squirrels in your neighborhood, there’s always a chance of one or two making their way into your attic, chimney and maybe even your walls. Deterrents include spray that smells like their predators' urine and chili peppers. High-intensity strobe lights and electromagnetic ultrasonic technology, a high-pitched sound that is supposed to drive rodents away, are technologies that may work. Some homeowners claim they’ve had 100 percent success with one or another of these strategies while others have resorted to trapping and removal.
Squirrel traps sell for about $25. Bait suggestions and relocation instructions are included. Suggestions on how to get rid of squirrels that are familiar with your location are to take them at least eight miles from home and to make many turns in the drive to confuse the rodent. It’s worth a try.
An animal relocator is the most reliable solution for how to get rid of squirrels. The professional will trap and relocate the animals as well as find the point of entry and seal it.
After Trapping and Removal
A good rule to follow before repairing a hole is to assure all the squirrels are gone from the space. Cover the hole with newspaper for five consecutive days of good weather. If the newspaper is intact after that period, you can be reasonably sure your home is squirrel-free.
Unless, of course, there are babies. Make sure none were left behind; otherwise, they will die inhumanely. Also, they will leave an odor in your home and attract other animals. Mother squirrels typically have 4-6 babies twice a year, usually in spring and late summer. If you find a nest of babies is left, check with a vet for the name of a local rehabilitator who is trained to care for orphaned animals.
When the squirrels are out, cover roof vents with stainless steel screen and air vents with hardware cloth. Install vent caps over chimneys. Wear gloves and clean the area thoroughly to get rid of insects, waste and to assure the scent does not attract more squirrels that’ll drive you “squirrelly” all over again.
Learn more about humane mouse traps, pest prevention, and non-toxic pest control.
Author Kim Henson is a freelance writer who lives in sunny Myrtle Beach, SC. She spends her free time remodeling older homes and relaxes by taking long walks on the beach.
