Crafty, cute squirrels
provide hours of entertainment
, but they damage homes and tear up yards, too. If they get inside your house, you could be looking at a
major disaster
. Preventing issues is the best protection, but what happens when you’ve moved beyond that stage?
Maintain your expectations within reason. Smart squirrels aren’t going to leave your land without a struggle. According to the University of Georgia Extension, consider asking yourself whether these squirrels are just bothersome or if they’re causing financial damage.
Burying acorns in your yard may cause cosmetic damage, but pulling a few sprouted trees every few weeks may be a decent trade-off. Squirrel removal is a big undertaking, and efforts in your yard must continue in perpetuity. Make sure you’re ready for the time and expense of starting an eradication campaign.
Also, learn how to
get rid of raccoons
.
Indicators of a Squirrel Infestation
“Squirrels are part of the rodent family and have an ongoing habit of chewing on wooden structures and various surfaces within homes or buildings,” explains Meg Pearson, who works as a wildlife division trainer at CritterControl.com. Like other rodents such as beavers, mice, and rats, squirrels chew objects due to their continuously growing teeth.
Squirrels nibble at siding, wood, trees, and decorative plants. If you find a chewed-up spot beneath your eaves or within the soffits, this might indicate that a squirrel has taken up residence in your attic—either hoarding food or raising its offspring there. The University of Alabama Extension also notes that squirrels will bite through soft metals like those used for roof vent covers.
Squirrels that manage to enter your home are more likely to be detected through sound rather than sight. “Should they gain access to the attic,” explains Pearson, “you’ll probably hear scampering or movement.” An unidentifiable unpleasant odor might indicate that a squirrel has been caught within a wall and did not survive.
Outside,
Young plants in your garden might get uprooted.
and
birdfeeders will be emptied
, with seeds they dislike spread all around. Pesky squirrels occasionally
grind complete circles around the edges of the trees
, called girdling.
What Draws Squirrels to Your Property and House?
“Shelter and food are the primary factors behind squirrels deciding where to nest and live,” says Pearson. Squirrels eat what’s called “mast,” meaning dry fruits from woody plants. Mast includes acorns from oak trees, hickory and beech nuts, black walnuts and more. If you have these trees, chances are you’ll find a few squirrels.
Squirrels also need a place to store their stash of nuts and hide from predators, so your attic and other quiet, uninhabited places in your home appeal to them. Your yard is attractive, too. Digging squirrels pockmark the lawn with holes for their acorn stash, and ground squirrels damage it with their burrows.
Squirrels view bird feeders as an all-day feast. Therefore, if you own one, it will attract squirrels regardless of your anti-squirrel measures.
ever-growing squirrel baffle industry
.
Parks provide a veritable smorgasbord for squirrels, ranging from maize to cherry tomatoes. These creatures can adjust their diet to include foods other than common nuts and berries. City-dwelling squirrels often thrive on garbage and leftovers found in urban environments. Therefore, should your home be situated close to back alleys, parks, or business districts, rest assured that squirrels will not be distant neighbors.
How To Get Rid of Squirrels in Your House or Attic
If a squirrel has moved into your home, check the eaves and soffits for entry points and prepare to mend the damage once the squirrel leaves. It’s possible squirrels
gained entry through a crawlspace
and climbed vertically into your walls, so check under your house, too.
The University of Alabama Extension says once you find the entry point, try
one-way doors
. As the name suggests, these allow the squirrel to leave the way it came in while preventing return access. Squirrels generally forage outdoors in the morning and early evening, so don’t seal up the hole midday while they may be resting inside.
Be aware that mother squirrels may have come inside to give birth. Call a professional if you find baby squirrels so they and the mother can be relocated humanely. If the mother leaves during the day and can’t come back in, you’ll stress her out and be left with baby squirrels dying in your home.
Pearson advises against attempting to remove squirrels on your own. “Since squirrels are wild animals, they should not be dealt with or caught by individuals without proper training,” she states.
Ways to Remove Squirrels From Your Property or Green Space
“It’s particularly challenging to evict squirrels from your property,” Pearson explains. Taking away their food supply might prompt them to seek sustenance elsewhere. However, completely eradicating squirrels isn’t feasible without cutting down every tree around and residing on paved surfaces. Furthermore, even if you manage to eliminate some squirrels, others will simply relocate into the area unless preventive measures are put in place.
A lot of states and municipalities have stringent rules for wildlife relocation, so consider carefully before you try trapping and moving squirrels out of your yard and garden on your own. According to reports, 97% of squirrels that were moved far from where they lived did not survive.
study
of Eastern gray squirrels. Even if you mean well, it likely won’t end well for the squirrel.
Squirrels react to being afraid, which means a dog or cat might frighten them away, but this will happen only if your pets are outdoors during squirrel activity times. Items such as whirligigs and scarecrows can also help.
fake owls
, suggested by several university extension services, may keep them away for a while. But squirrels are smart and won’t be fooled for long.
Chemical repellents like capsaicin are known to deter squirrels, but need to be reapplied often. Place these around your garden plants or trees if squirrels are gnawing on the bark.
Watch out for items advertised as ultrasonic devices.
There’s no evidence that these are effective.
Hiring an Expert Versus Doing It Yourself for Squirrel Removal
Squirrels can prove incredibly challenging to capture and eliminate,” according to Pearson. Should you encounter pesky squirrels around your land, it’s advisable to enlist a specialist skilled in wildlife management who provides an all-encompassing approach to both their removal and prevention.
While charming, squirrels are wild rodents. They can inflict bites and harbor illnesses, several of which pose risks to people. Should you choose to handle their removal personally—whether using non-lethal methods or employing deadly traps or firearms—always prioritize both your own security and the well-being of those around you. Additionally, ensure compliance with all relevant municipal regulations.
FAQ
What methods can I use to prevent squirrels from entering my home?
Several methods can prevent squirrels from entering your house. Start by eliminating potential food attractions including birdfeeders, pet food supplies, and trash bins. Additionally, sealing off all possible access points throughout your residence will deter these animals effectively. Planting strongly scented flora such as peppermint bushes around your property may further discourage their intrusion.
Is it legal to kill squirrels?
Although squirrels are not protected, the legality of killing them varies depending on which state you reside in. Certain states may necessitate that you possess a hunting license to do so. Make sure to check the regulations specific to your area before taking action.
About the Experts
Meg Pearson
is a wildlife division training manager at CritterControl.com
