When a squirrel inhabits your attic, you may not know what to do to get rid of it. Repellents can be effective, but most experts agree that the only way to get rid of these furry creatures is to prevent them from entering or trapping them inside the attic. Here's what you need to know to get rid of a squirrel the next time you find one in the attic.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Exclusion
Step 1. Seal the entrances to the attic
Close the holes and cover the spaces large enough for a squirrel to pass through.
- Cover the chimney or install a grate.
- Cover the ducts with nets.
- Close all but one hole leading to the outside of the house. You will need at least one hole for the squirrels to get out, and you should cover it a few weeks after the problem is resolved.
- Make sure you close the openings between the attic and the rest of the house. A panicked squirrel may decide to sneak into other areas of the house if it realizes that the attic is no longer a hospitable environment.
Step 2. Create an exit
Create a funnel out of a metal plate or fine-textured mesh. Attach this funnel to the last hole in the attic and turn the narrowest part outward.
- The wide part of the funnel should be placed over the hole on the outside of the house. It should be about 30-40cm in size.
- Make sure the funnel is about 12 inches long.
- The narrowest part should stretch outward and should be as large as the hole in the wood, if not slightly smaller.
- A squirrel that manages to get out of the funnel will hardly be able to enter it.
Step 3. Lure them out
Make the space outside the funnel inviting with food, peanuts, or apple slices.
This may not be necessary, as squirrels will leave the area on their own to find food. Putting food out of the funnel can help make them evacuate faster though
Method 2 of 3: Trap
Step 1. Set the right trap
Use a small cage trap and place it in a corner or other safe area of the attic.
- Squirrels are more likely to enter the trap if it is placed far away than in the center of the attic.
- Use only small traps, as squirrels may panic and injure themselves in larger traps. As a general guideline, the right size for a trap will be 15 x 15 x 45cm.
- You can find trap cages in pet stores.
- Each trap will have to be placed a little differently, so you should read the instructions to do it correctly. Generally you will need to position the locking mechanism so that it clicks as soon as the squirrel enters the cage, causing the door to close.
Step 2. Use the right type of bait
Squirrels won't come close to a trap if you don't use tempting food.
- Peanuts, peanut butter, walnuts, crackers, bread crusts, and apple slices are suitable foods.
- Make sure the food is deep enough in the cage and the squirrel cannot grab it from the outside.
Step 3. Reposition the squirrels
After you have caught a squirrel, you should take it away from home.
- Getting the squirrel about 15km away from home is enough to keep it from returning.
- Do not release the squirrel in the garden, unless it is the only option allowed by local law. If you free the squirrel in the garden, it will look for a way back.
- Check for squirrel cubs in the attic. It is possible that you have caught a female squirrel, and her children will be helpless without her. Make sure you move the cubs along with the mother.
- Wear thick, heavy gloves when you release the squirrel from the trap. If he seems angry, release him from a safe distance using a rope to release the opening mechanism.
- Learn about local laws regarding the relocation of animals. In most places, you will be able to catch and relocate squirrels without any problems.
Step 4. Keep using the traps until you have captured all the squirrels
Leave a trap for another week after catching the last squirrel.
For best results, you should seal all entrances to your attic
Method 3 of 3: Repellents
Step 1. Scare them with sounds
Leave the radio on or use ultrasonic repellent in the attic.
- If you use a radio, put it on a station with many talk shows, so that the squirrels constantly hear the human voice. The radio doesn't have to be loud enough for you to hear it, squirrels have very developed hearing. This solution may prove ineffective if the squirrels in your attic aren't afraid of humans.
- Ultrasonic repellents produce a high-intensity noise that can only be heard by small animals. They can make your attic an unbearable place for new squirrels, but squirrels can get used to it over time. Note that this sound may also annoy other animals in your home, even if you can't hear it.
Step 2. Flashlights
Leave the attic light on or install flashing lights.
- The constant light offered by regular attic light may be enough to ward off shy squirrels.
- For the more stubborn squirrels you can install flashing and flashing lights that could scare them and make them run away. When using flashing lights you should also use methods from the exclusion section to prevent frightened squirrels from returning indoors.
- Either way, make sure the frightened squirrel doesn't leave any puppies in the attic. Otherwise you will have to catch them and take them out or let a professional do it.
Step 3. Use commercial squirrel repellent
Purchase a chemical or natural squirrel repellent and use the spray according to package directions, focusing primarily on squirrel burrows.
- Try an animal repellent with urine from predators. The most commonly used urine is fox urine, and you can find many products that contain it at hunting supply stores. It is a low toxic product and relies on the smell and sense of survival of squirrels. When squirrels smell like a natural predator, they will learn to avoid the area.
- Note that no repellent will be as effective as physical removal, but many people claim their usefulness.
Step 4. Use ammonia-soaked rags
Wet old rags with ammonia and strategically place them where you suspect squirrels are.
- Ammonia is a popular method, but there is no evidence to prove its effectiveness. Many hosts claim its usefulness though. You should combine this technique with removal and exclusion methods.
- According to the theory, the strong, pungent smell of ammonia will keep squirrels away.
- After removing the squirrels, put some fans in the attic to air it. Ammonia can burn your airways and cause other health problems, so circulate clean air in your attic to avoid problems in the future.
- Prevent children and pets from entering the attic when using this method.
Step 5. Spread some mothballs
Place mothballs near possible attic entrances and around cardboard boxes or other areas with obvious signs of infestation.
- Note that there is no scientific evidence that mothballs are effective as a squirrel repellent. Some hosts claim that mothballs work, while others disprove its effectiveness.
- Most modern moth remedies contain para-dichlorobenzene and no longer mothballs. If you will be using real mothballs, remember that it is flammable.
- Keep mothballs away from children and animals.
