Squirrels dance from tree to tree and provide endless entertainment for pets. Squirrels will be missed if they leave the environment around us. However, squirrels can also be a big nuisance in the backyard if you have a bird feeder or garden. Squirrels eat bird food, spoil vegetables and are often trapped in houses. Learn how to control squirrels both indoors and outdoors in a humane but effective way.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Controlling Squirrels Outdoors
Step 1. Keep the squirrel food away
You certainly wouldn't think of it as squirrel food. However, if squirrels are swarming your home, it's because the squirrels found lots of things to eat.
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Sweep up nuts, strawberries and fruit that fall from the trees in the yard. This food is the main source of food for squirrels.
Get Rid of Squirrels Step 1Bullet1 -
Purchase an outdoor trash can that can be sealed. If the trash can can be easily entered by squirrels, replace it with a trash can with a strong lid. Make sure the trash can is kept closed at all times.
Get Rid of Squirrels Step 1Bullet2
Step 2. Keep bird food away from squirrels
Squirrels are very clever in eating food that is in the bird feeder. Follow these steps to keep the squirrels from eating bird food before the birds find it:
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Purchase a squirrel guard that attaches to the feeder so that it prevents the squirrel from grasping the food.
Get Rid of Squirrels Step 2Bullet1 -
Do not place bird feeders near trees or your house. The squirrels will be able to get past the barrier by jumping over branches or roofs of houses to the bird feeder.
Get Rid of Squirrels Step 2Bullet2 - Keep the area under the bird feeder clean. This may be tiring, but picking up acorns dropped by birds will keep the squirrels from wandering near the feeding grounds.
- Fill bird feeders with sunflower seeds. Birds love to eat these seeds, but they are bitter to squirrels.
Step 3. Protect your garden with a fence
The squirrels will dig up and tear the vegetables if you don't do something to protect the garden. Use a wire fence and make sure that it is about 30.5 cm in the ground so that the squirrels cannot dig down.
Step 4. Use a squirrel repellent
Some products are available at hardware stores and home and garden supply stores. These products are usually made with natural ingredients that repel squirrels.
- Some squirrel repellent products are made with ingredients that repel squirrels but don't bother birds, such as red or black pepper. These ingredients can be added directly to the bird feeder.
- Some squirrel repellent products are made with squirrel predator urine. Spray this product around the garden to keep squirrels away.
Step 5. Feed the squirrel
Instead of trying to chase away the squirrels, try to feed them to keep the squirrels away from bird feeders and gardens. Spread squirrel food around the yard or buy food containers and place them away from your bird feeder and garden positions.
Step 6. Try to use a motion detection sprayer
This will spray the squirrels when they are too close and can irrigate the lawn.
Method 2 of 2: Controlling Squirrels Indoors
Step 1. Make sure that there is no food in the attic
If the squirrels were constantly in the attic, the squirrels might smell something in the attic that attracted the squirrels. Clean the attic and make sure to keep away anything that might attract squirrels.
Step 2. Cut off any hanging branches near the roof or chimney
Squirrels can jump straight from the branches to the roof.
Step 3. Provide guard around the chimney
If squirrels and other animals enter your home frequently, try to provide guards around the chimney. These guards are usually made of stainless steel mesh, so you don't have to remove them when using the fireplace.
Step 4. Provide an escape route
If a squirrel gets stuck in a chimney or attic, make sure it finds a way out. Hang the rope down through the chimney so the animal can climb back up to the attic. Open a window in the attic and lure it with squirrel food.
Step 5. Buy live traps
Home and garden supply stores sell traps made specifically to catch squirrels without harming them. Install in the attic. When the squirrel is caught, take it outside and release the squirrel.
Step 6. Contact the animal controller
You probably don't want to handle a squirrel that's loose in the attic or chimney alone. Call animal control to come and catch the squirrel.
Tips
Take precautions before culling. If you can figure out why the squirrel is where it is, you can get rid of it without resorting to traps or causing damage to the squirrel
Warning
- While it looks as neat as the one in the cartoon "The Roadrunner", spraying the short trees with a slippery liquid like cooking oil to make the squirrel fall doesn't work.
- After performing these actions, you will still need to wait until next season before the squirrels build their nests elsewhere. Be patient.
