“Yes, squirrels can be hard to get rid of due to their persistence and adaptability, but effective, humane strategies make it manageable.”
Squirrels may seem like harmless, playful creatures when they’re outside, but they can quickly become a major problem once they find their way into your home, attic, or yard. Their constant gnawing, nesting habits, and ability to squeeze through small openings make them more than just a minor nuisance. Many homeowners find themselves frustrated by how persistent and resourceful squirrels can be when trying to remove them.
So, are squirrels hard to get rid of? The short answer is yes—but not impossible. Their strong homing instincts, adaptability, and determination to return to familiar nesting sites can make removal challenging. However, with the right approach, including humane exclusion methods and professional wildlife removal services, it’s entirely possible to manage and prevent squirrel infestations effectively. In this guide, we’ll break down the factors that make squirrels difficult to remove and the best strategies to solve the problem for good.
Related: How Do You Get a Squirrel to Leave?
Why Squirrels Can Be Hard to Get Rid Of
Squirrels are surprisingly persistent creatures, which is one of the main reasons they can be difficult to remove once they’ve settled into your home. They have strong homing instincts, meaning even if you manage to chase them out temporarily, they often find their way back—especially if your home provides easy access to food, warmth, and shelter. This determination makes it challenging to keep them away without addressing the root causes of the infestation.
Another factor is their remarkable ability to squeeze through small openings. Squirrels can fit through gaps as small as 1.5 inches, making it difficult to identify and seal every potential entry point. They’re also fast breeders, with the ability to produce multiple litters each year. This rapid reproduction can quickly turn a minor squirrel problem into a full-blown infestation if not managed promptly. Their adaptability to deterrents and resourcefulness in finding new access points add to the complexity, making professional help often the most effective solution for long-term control.
Factors That Affect How Difficult Squirrel Removal Can Be
Location of the Infestation
The difficulty of removing squirrels often depends on where they’ve made themselves at home. Squirrels nesting in attics, walls, or chimneys are much harder to deal with than those simply roaming around your yard. Enclosed spaces provide warmth, safety, and hidden nesting spots, making it challenging to locate and remove them. In some cases, squirrels can even create hidden entry points, making it harder to identify how they got inside.
Accessing these tight, hard-to-reach areas often requires specialized tools and techniques. Squirrels may chew through insulation, wires, and wooden structures, increasing the risk of property damage and fire hazards. The more hidden or complex the infestation, the more effort and expertise are needed to resolve the issue effectively.
Extent of the Infestation
Dealing with a single squirrel is usually simpler than managing an entire family of them. Squirrels reproduce quickly, with up to two litters per year, each containing multiple young. If the infestation has been left unchecked, there could be several squirrels living in different parts of your home. The larger the infestation, the more entry points and nesting areas you’ll need to address.
A widespread infestation also means more potential for property damage and health risks, such as chewed wires, contaminated insulation, and droppings that can carry diseases. Removing multiple squirrels requires a comprehensive approach that includes trapping, exclusion, and thorough inspection to ensure all animals are gone.
Access Points
Squirrels are agile climbers and can access homes through the smallest of openings. Common entry points include rooflines, vents, chimneys, soffits, and even gaps around windows and doors. The more access points your home has, the harder it is to keep squirrels out. They can easily chew through weak materials like wood or plastic, creating new openings if previous ones are sealed without addressing the root cause.
Identifying every possible entry point requires a detailed inspection of both the interior and exterior of your home. Missing even one small gap can lead to recurring infestations. That’s why sealing entry points with durable, chew-resistant materials is essential for long-term squirrel control.
Homeowner’s Approach
How you handle a squirrel problem can significantly impact how difficult it is to get rid of them. DIY methods, such as basic traps or over-the-counter repellents, may provide temporary relief but often fail to address the full extent of the issue. Squirrels are intelligent and can quickly adapt to ineffective deterrents, making it harder to remove them over time.
On the other hand, professional wildlife removal services offer a more comprehensive solution. Experts like AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC understand squirrel behavior, know how to locate hidden nests, and use humane, effective techniques for removal. They also provide long-term prevention strategies, ensuring squirrels don’t return. Relying on professional help can save time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Common Mistakes That Make Squirrel Removal Harder
When trying to get rid of squirrels, homeowners often make mistakes that can worsen the problem. Avoid these common pitfalls to ensure effective and humane squirrel removal:
- Using Poison or Inhumane Traps:
- Poison is illegal in many areas, dangerous to pets and wildlife, and can result in squirrels dying inside walls, causing foul odors.
- Inhumane traps can cause unnecessary suffering and may violate local wildlife protection laws.
- Sealing Entry Points Too Soon:
- Sealing gaps without confirming all squirrels have left can trap them inside, leading to frantic chewing, property damage, and even dead animals inside walls or attics.
- Relying Solely on Repellents:
- Repellents like sprays or ultrasonic devices may deter squirrels temporarily but won’t solve the problem if entry points and food sources are still accessible.
- Ignoring the Problem Until It Gets Worse:
- Delaying action allows squirrels to breed, turning a minor issue into a full-blown infestation with extensive property damage.
- DIY Methods Without Addressing the Root Cause:
- Quick fixes like basic traps or temporary barriers often fail because they don’t eliminate the main attractants or secure all entry points.
Avoiding these mistakes and taking a comprehensive approach will make squirrel removal more effective. When in doubt, professional help from AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC ensures the job is done right.
When to Call a Professional
While some squirrel problems can be managed with DIY methods, there are situations where calling a professional is the safest and most effective option. If you’re dealing with a persistent infestation where squirrels keep returning despite your efforts, it’s a sign that there may be hidden entry points or nesting areas you’ve missed. Squirrels nesting in hard-to-reach places, like inside walls, chimneys, or attics with limited access, often require specialized tools and expertise to locate and remove them safely. Additionally, if you hear constant scratching, gnawing, or movement that suggests multiple squirrels or even babies, professional intervention is crucial to avoid further damage.
Another key reason to call a professional is if you notice extensive property damage—such as chewed wires, which pose a fire hazard, or structural damage to insulation, vents, and wood. Attempting to handle aggressive squirrels on your own can also be risky, as they may bite or scratch when feeling threatened, potentially transmitting diseases. At AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC, we provide humane, comprehensive squirrel removal services, including identifying entry points, safely removing the animals, and implementing prevention strategies to ensure they don’t come back. Our trained professionals handle the job efficiently, reducing stress for both you and the squirrels.
Conclusion
While squirrels can be challenging to get rid of due to their persistence, adaptability, and strong homing instincts, effective removal is entirely possible with the right approach. Addressing the root causes—like sealing entry points, removing food sources, and using humane exclusion methods—can significantly reduce the chances of recurring infestations. Avoiding common mistakes, such as relying solely on repellents or sealing entry points too soon, also plays a key role in successful squirrel removal.
If you’re dealing with a stubborn infestation or unsure how to handle the situation, professional help is the safest and most effective solution. At AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC, we specialize in humane squirrel removal, offering comprehensive services to not only get rid of squirrels but also prevent them from coming back. Don’t let squirrels take over your home—reach out to us for expert assistance and long-term peace of mind.
