If you hear scratching in the attic, there may be squirrels there. Indoor squirrels can be frustrating for you, especially if they start to cause damage. While getting rid of squirrels in your home may seem very difficult, you can still get them out of the attic. To get rid of squirrels, you can use a squirrel repellent, trap and dispose of them, or install a drain for the squirrel escape. Whatever method you use, you should take steps to prevent squirrels from re-entering your home.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Squirrel Repellents
Step 1. Soak a washcloth in ammonia, then place the cloth near where the squirrels nest
The strong smell of ammonia will irritate squirrels and make them think the attic is not a comfortable place. This makes the squirrel leave your house.
- We recommend that you use this repellent in combination with other methods to maximize its effectiveness.
- If ammonia is not available, use a strong cleaning solution to replace it.
Step 2. Turn on the bright lights in the attic
You can use overhead lights (roof mounted lights) or install emergency lights if your attic doesn't have lights. Squirrels will feel uncomfortable and exposed to light. This makes these animals more likely to leave the attic to find a new place.
- As with using ammonia, you should use this method in conjunction with other methods to increase your chances of success.
- If you know exactly where the squirrel is nesting, direct the light at the area. In this case, all you need is a flashlight to do this.
Step 3. Play the radio in the attic to annoy the squirrels
Choose a radio station where most people talk so that the human voice will continue to echo in the attic. The squirrel will find your home uncomfortable and go elsewhere.
- If you know the nest, place the radio as close to the nest as possible.
- You don't have to turn the radio too loud so that everyone in the house can hear it. As long as the sound can fill the entire attic, that means it's loud enough.
- For best results, use several methods of squirrel repellent at the same time.
Step 4. Use a commercial squirrel repellent if you don't want to bother
You can choose natural or commercial squirrel repellent. Natural repellents usually use the smell of predatory urine to frighten squirrels. Read the product packaging and apply directly to areas frequented by squirrels, such as near inlets, around squirrel urine and feces, and where there are traces of it.
- Use the product according to the instructions given.
- You can get squirrel repellent at hardware stores or the internet.
Step 5. Avoid using camphor as it is toxic to humans and pets
In addition, this material may not repel squirrels and has a strong odor that bothers many people. It's safer and more effective for you to use one of the proven squirrel repellents.
In some areas, it is illegal to use camphor to kill squirrels. So, check with your local regulations if you still want to use this material
Method 2 of 3: Trapping and Removing Squirrels
Step 1. Place the squirrel trap near entry points or places where squirrels frequent
To increase success, place traps in areas frequented by squirrels. However, this animal will not want to enter the trap that is placed in the middle of the floor. So, place the trap in the corner of the room or near a wall. You can use traps made to catch squirrels and release them alive, or traps designed to kill.
- If you want to find the best location to place your trap, look for entry holes or places where squirrel tracks, urine, or feces are present.
- Make sure you use a trap specifically designed for squirrels. Using the wrong trap can cause unwanted damage to the squirrel or cause it to escape.
- You can buy squirrel traps at a nature lover's supply store, hardware store, or the internet.
- If you have the ability, make your own traps. However, some areas have regulations regarding squirrel traps. So it's best if you use commercial traps that don't violate the rules.
Step 2. Place the bait (can be peanuts or peanut butter) in the trap
Place the bait in the trap, where the squirrel cannot reach it from outside the trap. After that, set the trap. The squirrel will enter the trap to take the bait, causing the door to close.
- If you don't have peanuts or peanut butter, you can also use walnuts, soda crackers, crusty bread slices, or apple slices for bait.
- If using a non-killing trap, get the squirrel out of the house as soon as possible.
- Kill-type traps must kill the squirrel humanely as soon as the trigger is activated.
Step 3. Take the live squirrel out of the house and release it
Before handling the trap, wear thick, heavy gloves. When you are ready to release the squirrel, place the trap on the ground where you want it to be removed. After that, open the trap door with your gloved hands, or lift the latch on the door. When the squirrel comes out of the trap, keep yourself away from it so it doesn't bite or scratch you.
Check the laws in your area to see if you can dispose of squirrels in your home, or if you should dispose of them near your home. While it's a good idea to release the squirrel at least 16 km from your home to prevent it from returning to the attic, this isn't always allowed
Step 4. Remove the dead squirrel in the trap
Wear thick and heavy gloves when you handle the device to avoid germs. Take the trap out of the house, then throw the dead squirrel in the trash can outside the house.
- Maybe you should close the trash can so the smell of squirrel carcasses doesn't spread.
- Alternatively, you can bury the squirrel in the yard. However, this can be inconvenient if you have to deal with lots of squirrels in the attic.
Step 5. Reattach the trap if there are still many squirrels in the attic
You have to re-attach the trap until all the squirrels are gone. Most traps can only trap one squirrel at a time so it will take you a while to get rid of all the squirrels.
Step 6. Hire a professional if you are having trouble getting rid of squirrels
If you have lots of squirrels in your home, you may find it difficult to handle them yourself. A professional can find out how many squirrels are in your home. After that, he will get rid of all the squirrels efficiently and humanely.
You can find online wildlife experts by doing a simple search. Alternatively, ask a friend or relative if they know of a professional who can handle squirrels
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Squirrels from Coming Back
Step 1. Cut off the tree branches leading to the house to prevent the squirrels from getting inside the roof
Check the area around the roof for branches that the squirrel might use to get inside the roof. Next, cut the branch with a saw to remove the squirrel's entrance to the attic.
- The squirrel uses a tree branch to get into the attic. Even these animals may live in trees most of the time, but wander into the attic in search of nesting needs or comfort when the weather is not friendly.
- If you're not used to cutting branches, hire a professional to do it. In addition to being injured, you can also accidentally damage the roof.
Step 2. Fix the holes on the outside of the house
Check the outside and inside of the house for holes. Next, use an animal-resistant patch to seal the hole so squirrels can't get into the house through the hole.
- If you don't have the skills to patch a hole, hire a handyman to do it. He can also double check that all the holes have been closed.
- Ask a friend or family member if they know a good handyman. You can also do an internet search to find a handyman in your area.
Step 3. Cover the air vent holes with wire gauze
Tighten the wire mesh by screwing it in. This can prevent squirrels from entering the attic through the ventilation openings.
- Wire gauze will not reduce the effectiveness of ventilation.
- You can also hire a handyman to install the wire mesh if you can't do it yourself.
Step 4. Cover the area around the power cord and plumbing to prevent squirrels from getting in
Use a combination of wire gauze, tape, and putty to seal gaps around electrical wires or pipes. This can reduce the risk of squirrels getting in through the gap and prevent squirrels from gnawing at the gap to enlarge the hole.
- Squirrels are rodents so they can enter through very small holes. In addition, these animals can nibble on existing holes to make them bigger.
- As with any other home improvement task, you may have to hire a handyman to do it.
Step 5. Place the cover or wire mesh over the chimney of the house
Measure the perimeter of the top of the chimney (which is called the crown), as well as the size of the chimney. Purchase a chimney cover or wire mesh that is larger than the chimney, but smaller than the crown. Clean the top of the chimney to remove any debris, then place a chimney cover or wire mesh over the opening. Make sure you don't leave any gaps around it. Use a drill to screw in the chimney cover or wire mesh so that it is firmly in position.
- This will allow smoke to escape from the chimney, but the squirrels will not be able to use the chimney to get into the house.
- Do not leave dirt around the chimney, as this can cause a fire.
- Clean the chimney cover or wire mesh every few months, and before winter sets in (if you live in a country with four seasons). Dirt that accumulates can cause damage or danger.
- If you live in the UK, there are rules and regulations regarding how to install a chimney cover. Once installed, the competent supervisor will check the chimney cover to ensure that it is properly installed. For this reason, we recommend that you hire a professional to do it.
Step 6. Make a one-way exit if the squirrel is not gone
Make a funnel out of wire gauze or a thin sheet of zinc, then place the large end of the funnel in the exit hole on the outside of the house. The narrow end of the funnel should point out of the house. This allows the squirrel to go outside in search of food or water, but cannot re-enter the house.
Ideally, the large end of the funnel should be approximately 30-38 cm in diameter. The small end should be slightly smaller than the holes that squirrels usually use to get in and out of the house. Make a funnel about 30 cm long
Step 7. Place the bait at the end of the funnel to speed up the process
Place a handful of nuts, a pinch of peanut butter, crackers, or apple slices at the end or outside of the funnel. This gets the squirrel out of the house quickly.
