How to Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic

If you hear rustling noises in the attic, it's likely that a group of squirrels is living up there. You may feel quite frustrated living with these creatures, especially when they start causing damage inside your home. Don't worry, while removing squirrels from your home might seem impossible, you can regain control of your attic. To get rid of the squirrels, you can use methods like repelling them, trapping them and relocating them, or setting up an escape route for them. No matter which method you choose, you must also prevent them from returning.

Soak a rag in ammonia and place it near the squirrels' nest. The strong smell of ammonia will make the squirrels uncomfortable, causing them to view the attic as no longer a suitable nesting place. This method might prompt them to leave on their own.

• It's best to use this repellent along with other methods for maximum effectiveness.
• If ammonia is unavailable, you can use another strong household cleaner.

Keep the Lights On in the Attic. You can use a ceiling light or temporarily install a lamp if there's no lighting in the attic. The squirrels will feel uncomfortable being exposed under the light, prompting them to leave your attic in search of a new home.

• Just like with ammonia, it's best to combine the light with other methods for a higher success rate.
• If you know the exact location of the squirrel's nest, you can shine the light directly onto it. In this case, a flashlight will suffice.

Disturb the Squirrels with Loud Radio Sounds in the Attic. Turn on a radio to a talk channel so that the sound of people talking fills the attic. The squirrels will find your home uncomfortable and move elsewhere.

• If you find the squirrel nest, place the radio as close as possible to their nest.
• You don't need to turn the radio up so loud that the whole house can hear it. Just having the sound fill the attic is enough.
• Combining multiple repellent methods at once will yield the best results.

Use Commercial Squirrel Repellent Products for Convenience. You can choose from natural and chemical repellents. Natural squirrel repellents often use the scent of predator urine to scare off squirrels. Be sure to read the product label and spray it directly in areas that squirrels frequent, such as near entry holes, around places with squirrel droppings or urine, and any spots where you’ve noticed squirrel tracks.

• Always follow the directions on the product label.
• You can find squirrel repellents in home goods stores or purchase them online.

Avoid Using Mothballs as They Are Toxic to Humans and Pets. In addition, mothballs may not effectively repel squirrels and they emit a very strong odor that many find unpleasant. It's better to use one of the proven, safe, and effective squirrel repellents.

• Mothballs are not allowed for squirrel control in some areas, so check local regulations if you still wish to use them.

Place Squirrel Traps Near Entry Points or Common Paths. The success rate will be higher if you place the trap where squirrels are frequently passing. However, they rarely crawl into traps placed in the middle of the floor, so it's better to position traps in corners or along the walls. You can choose from live-catch traps or those designed to kill the squirrel.

• To find the best spot for your trap, look for entry holes or areas with visible signs of squirrels, such as droppings or urine.
• Make sure to use traps specifically designed for squirrels, as other types might harm them or let them escape.
• You can buy squirrel traps at hunting or fishing stores, hardware stores, or online.
• If possible, you can make your own trap, but some areas have laws regarding squirrel trapping, so it’s best to use pre-made traps to ensure compliance.

Use Peanuts or Peanut Butter as Bait for the Trap. Place the bait in the trap, ensuring it's far enough from the sides so the squirrels can't reach it and pull it out before triggering the trap. The squirrel will enter to get the bait and cause the trap to close.

• If you don't have peanuts or peanut butter, you can use walnuts, cookies, breadcrumbs, or sliced apples as alternatives.
• If you're using a live-catch trap, make sure to release the squirrel as soon as possible.
• Humane kill traps will eliminate the squirrel instantly once triggered.

Release the Captured Squirrel Outside. Wear thick protective gloves before handling the trap. When ready to release the squirrel, place the trap on the ground where you plan to let it go. Slowly lift the trap door using your gloved hands or pull the release cord. Keep a safe distance as the squirrel exits to avoid being bitten or scratched.

• Check local regulations to see if you’re allowed to release squirrels off your property, or if they must be released near your home. While it’s best to release squirrels at least 10 miles away to prevent them from returning, this may not always be permissible.

Dispose of a Dead Squirrel in the Trap. Always wear thick protective gloves when handling the trap to avoid exposure to potential diseases. Take the trap outside and dispose of the squirrel’s body in a trash bin.

• Consider placing the squirrel’s body in a plastic bag to minimize odor.
• Another option is to bury the squirrel in your yard. However, this could be labor-intensive if you have multiple squirrels to dispose of.

Re-set the Trap If Squirrels Are Still in the House. You will need to keep setting traps until all the squirrels have been removed. Most traps are designed to capture only one squirrel at a time, so it may take a while before all squirrels are caught and removed.

Hire a Professional Service If You're Struggling to Remove Squirrels. If there are too many squirrels causing trouble, handling the situation can feel overwhelming. A professional service can assess how many squirrels are in your home and then remove them in a humane and effective manner.

• You can find wildlife removal experts online or ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations of local professionals.

Trim Overhanging Branches Above the Roof to Prevent Squirrels from Accessing the Attic. Inspect the area around the roof to identify branches that squirrels could use to climb up. Use a chainsaw to trim the branches and cut off their access route to the attic.

• Squirrels often use tree branches as bridges to access your attic. They may even live in the trees but will venture into your attic in search of nesting materials or shelter during bad weather.
• If you lack experience with tree trimming, consider hiring a professional service. Trying to cut the branches yourself can be dangerous and may cause accidental damage to the roof.

Repair Holes Around the House. Inspect both the interior and exterior of your home for any visible gaps, then seal them using animal-proof materials to prevent squirrels from entering.

• If you're unsure how to properly seal the holes, you can hire a home repair service. They can also conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that all openings are sealed.
• Ask friends or search online to find a reliable service in your area.

Install Mesh Screens Over Ventilation Gaps. Secure the mesh with screws to prevent squirrels from entering the attic through these ventilation openings.

• The mesh will not reduce the efficiency of your ventilation system.
• If you're unable to install the mesh yourself, you can hire a home repair service to do it for you.

Seal all entry points around electrical wires and plumbing fixtures to prevent squirrels from getting inside. Use mesh, caulking compound, and sealant to fill all gaps around wires or plumbing. This will reduce the chances of squirrels squeezing through tiny openings or gnawing to make the holes bigger.

• Squirrels are rodents, which means they can fit through very small holes. They can also gnaw around existing holes to expand them.
• Just like other repair jobs, you can hire a service to do this for you.

Install a chimney cap or metal mesh over the chimney opening. Measure the circumference of the chimney and its opening. Purchase a chimney cap or metal mesh that is slightly larger than the chimney but smaller than the opening. Clean the chimney top to remove dirt and debris, then install the cap or mesh, ensuring no gaps remain. Use a drill to secure the cap or mesh with screws.

• This method still allows smoke to escape but prevents squirrels from using the chimney as an entry point into your home.
• Make sure there is no debris around the chimney to prevent fire hazards.
• Clean the cap or mesh every few months during use and before winter. Soot can cause damage or pose danger.
• If you live in the UK, be aware that there are regulations regarding chimney caps. Once the cap is installed, an inspector will check to ensure it is properly installed. Therefore, it’s best to hire a professional to do this.

Create an exit route for squirrels if you suspect they are still inside your house. Construct a pipe using metal mesh or thin metal sheets. Position the wider end of the pipe at the exit hole, with the smaller end facing outward. This way, any squirrels still inside can leave to find food and water but won’t be able to re-enter the house.

• The ideal size for the wider end of the pipe should be between 30 - 38 cm in diameter. The smaller end should be slightly smaller than the hole the squirrel uses to enter and exit your home. The pipe should be about 30 cm long.

Place bait at the smaller end of the pipe if you want to speed up the process. Place a handful of peanuts, some peanut butter, cookies, or a few slices of apple at the end of the pipe or just outside it. These items will attract the squirrels quickly.

• You don’t have to use bait because the squirrel will eventually need to go outside to find food, but the bait will encourage it to leave faster.

• Remember that the mother squirrel might enter the attic to give birth. If you catch the mother squirrel and leave the babies behind, the orphaned squirrels will eventually cause a terrible smell in your house.
• If you're having trouble dealing with the squirrels, it's best to call professional services. Wildlife relocation experts have experience trapping and relocating squirrels, ensuring they do so safely and to your satisfaction.
• Clear the clutter in your attic to make the space less inviting to squirrels. Without many hiding spots, they won't have materials to chew on or collect for nests.

• Red squirrels are a protected species in the UK. If this endangered animal happens to enter your attic, contact the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
• Annually, squirrels cause approximately 15,000 house fires due to gnawing on electrical wires.