Squirrels are interesting and funny creatures to watch in nature, but you certainly don’t want them invading your home. Squirrels tend to come inside and make nests in the attic to escape cold weather. They can create a mess and be quite noisy.

Here are some ways you can get rid of squirrels in your attic:

Through Exclusion

The first method to get rid of squirrels in your attic is exclusion, which is the process of sealing potential entrances to prevent squirrels from entering your home in the first place.

The first step in the exclusion process is to seal off your attic. Patch up any visible holes and make repairs as needed to prevent squirrels from squeezing in. When sealing your attic, keep these steps in mind:

Cover your chimney: It may seem crazy, but a dedicated squirrel can make his way into your home through your chimney. The simple addition of wire mesh or a chimney cap can prevent squirrels and other animals from entering.
Make sure vents are covered and sealed.
Patch any visible holes on the outside of the home (even the smallest hole can be chewed into a viable entrance).

If there are still squirrels in your attic, you need to give them a way to get out that won’t allow them back in. This is most often done by professionals, where a funnel shaped exit, baited with food, is used to lure the critters out but prevents them from getting back in once they’ve squeezed through.

Removal by Trapping

When placing traps, put them in corners and away from open areas of your attic, as squirrels may be wary of obvious traps placed in traffic areas. Squirrels won’t go near your traps without the right bait, so make sure to use something that will attract them like peanuts, crackers, bread pieces, or apple slices. Be sure to place the bait far enough toward the back of the trap to make sure they get in, while leaving it far enough away from the edge to prevent squirrels from grabbing the bait from the outside.

Prevention Through Repellents

Whether you purchase a specific ultrasonic device or simply leave a radio on in your attic, sound can be a great deterrent to any squirrel looking to make a home in your attic.

If leaving your radio on in the attic sounds a bit annoying, consider purchasing a strobe light or leaving the light on in your attic for a brief period of time. Any squirrels that enter your attic will prefer the darkness, and the constant light source may work to deter squirrels from sticking around.

The last option available is to use commercial spray repellents. These chemicals can be applied to your attic to deter squirrels from building nests. These repellents can be made from predator urine, like the fox and can be purchased at hunting supply or farm supply stores. The other option is to use ammonia soaked rags. Simply soak a folded rag in ammonia and leave them placed around your attic in areas you suspect may be home to squirrels.

We can help

No matter how intimidating or pervasive your pest problem, you can trust that Amco Ranger knows exactly how to handle it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. Give us a call today if you need helping getting rid of squirrels in your home.

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