Squirrels can damage plants in the garden and dig unwanted holes in the yard. Occasionally, squirrels also enter homes through attics, windows, or open doors. Fortunately, you can take some preventative measures to stop these rodents from entering your home. If you remove their food sources and shelter, your home and yard will become an uncomfortable place for the animal. If a squirrel has entered your home, there are some simple and humane ways to get it out.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Prevent Squirrels from Visiting Yards and Gardens
Step 1. Remove any nuts or berries that have fallen on the ground
Squirrels will eat nuts or berries that fall in the yard. If this animal is used to getting food constantly, squirrels will always come to your yard. Clean any nuts or fruit as soon as you see them to avoid attracting new squirrels.
If you have a bird feeder, clean up any seeds that have fallen to the ground
Step 2. Remove any rocks, vines, or piles of debris that squirrels could hide in
Squirrels look for easy-to-use areas to hide from predators and humans. If there are no trees in the yard, these animals will hide under bushes, rocks, and piles of wood.
At times, squirrels can even tunnel under piles of rubble making them harder to find
Step 3. Prune the bush and grass that grew too tall for the squirrels to have nowhere to hide.
Do not plant a single row or group of shrubs in a row in an area because the squirrels will nest in that location. Squirrels can also hide in tall, uncut grass. Keep grass and shrubs around the house short so the squirrels have no room to hide.
Step 4. Install a wire fence around the garden plants
If squirrels eat or damage plants or trees in your garden, prevent them by placing a wire fence around the plants you want to protect. Make sure you have planted the bottom of the fence into the soil at least 20 cm deep so the squirrels cannot dig under it.
Wire fences can be found in hardware stores or the internet
Step 5. Surround the desired area with a gravel border without plants
This plant-free gravel barrier can prevent squirrels from hiding in bushes and plants around the house. It also prevents the squirrels from digging holes in the ground under the house. Get pebbles at a hardware store or the internet. After that, spread the gravel around the plants or gardens you want to protect.
Step 6. Spray the squirrel repellent solution on the plants if these animals keep coming back
Products such as bitrex, thiram, or ammonium soap make plants in your yard or garden taste bad so squirrels won't eat them. You can buy this product online or at a farm shop. Put the solution in a spray bottle according to the directions provided, then spray a large amount on plants that squirrels like.
- You may have to repeat the spray for the solution to work effectively.
- There is no squirrel repellent solution that can completely repel the animal until it works 100%.
Step 7. Use a mock owl to keep the squirrels out of the yard
Artificial owls can actually keep squirrels out of the yard. You can buy them at garden supply stores or the internet. Place the mock owl in an area frequented by squirrels and observe the area to see if the squirrels are still visiting your yard.
Some types of artificial owls can even light up or move their wings
Step 8. Raise a dog or cat to scare away squirrels in lieu of an artificial bird
Remember, young cats and dogs may hunt and kill squirrels. As much as possible you should prevent this from happening because squirrels can carry diseases that can make pets sick.
You can tie the dog to keep it from chasing and killing the squirrel
Method 2 of 3: Preventing Squirrels from Entering Your House
Step 1. Cover all the holes and crevices in the house
Squirrels can get into homes through cracks and crevices. Use putty or construction foam to seal gaps in the exterior of the house. Apply rubber or plastic lining to cover holes in windows and doors. If there are vents or openings leading to the outside of the house, cover the area with wire mesh.
Squirrels will not be able to enter the house if you have removed all the holes and crevices
Step 2. Install an L-shaped guard to keep the squirrels from digging into the ground
Install L-shaped wire mesh under the ground attached to the foundations of houses, patios, and other structures to prevent squirrels from digging under structures. Purchase 2.5 cm × 2.5 cm of wire mesh at a hardware store or online store, then install it in an L shape around the structure you want to protect. Plant the wire at least 30 cm deep in the soil, then bend the bottom at a 90 degree angle. This will stop the squirrel digging any further.
Step 3. Sprinkle moth flake (insecticidal powder to kill moths) in areas frequented by squirrels
Naphthalene powder (or moth flake) can be used as a natural squirrel deterrent. If you notice a squirrel has nested in the attic or other room in the house, sprinkle about 1.8 to 2.3 kg of moth flakes for every 200 m2 of space.
Remember, this product emits a strong odor and can be irritating to humans and pets
Step 4. Place the bird feeder at least 5 m from the house
Bird feeders that are hung or placed near the house can attract squirrels to enter the house. Hang the bird feeder away from the house and place it on a tree branch. Clean up the seeds that fall to the ground.
Method 3 of 3: Removing Squirrels from the House
Step 1. Move the pet to another room and close the door
Maybe the squirrel will not leave the room it enters if there are pets in the room. To prevent this from happening, place the cat or dog in another room and close the door. Furthermore, the squirrel will definitely come out of the room happily.
If you don't move your cat or small dog elsewhere, the animal may attack the squirrel trying to get out of the room
Step 2. Close all openings in the house, except for the one door leading out
Open the door to the room where the squirrel is hiding and provide a way out. Next, open the door that leads directly out of the house. Close all other doors and windows in the house so the squirrel can escape immediately and not re-enter the house.
You can wait outside and watch the door so you know if the squirrel has left
Step 3. Wait for the squirrel to leave the house
Squirrels don't really want to be out in the open in the house so they will go out on their own. Eventually, the squirrel will instinctively get out of the house and into the yard.
You may have to wait a few hours for the squirrel to come out of the house on its own
Step 4. Place a non-killing trap if the squirrel doesn't come out of the house
If the squirrel refuses to leave the house or digs into the attic instead, place a non-killing trap to catch it. Place the trap where the squirrels frequent. Use peanut butter as bait and set traps. After that, wait a few hours for the squirrel to be trapped.
- Release the squirrel at least 8 km from the house so that it does not come to your house again.
- If the squirrel tries to re-enter the house, pay attention to where it came in so you can seal the hole.
Step 5. Call a professional if the squirrel is not out of the house yet
If the squirrel can't be caught and is nesting in the attic or wall, you may need to call a professional. Look for a professional exterminator on the internet or in the yellow books. You can ask them to use humane methods if you don't want to kill the squirrel.
