“To get rid of unwanted squirrels, seal entry points, remove attractants, and rely on professional wildlife removal services for safe, effective results.”
Unwanted squirrels can quickly turn from harmless backyard creatures into troublesome pests when they invade your home. They often seek shelter in attics, walls, and chimneys, where they can cause significant damage by chewing through wires, insulation, and wooden structures. Their constant gnawing not only threatens the integrity of your home but also increases the risk of electrical fires. Beyond property damage, squirrels can carry diseases and parasites, posing health concerns for your family and pets.
Dealing with a squirrel problem requires more than just hoping they’ll leave on their own. These persistent animals are skilled climbers and problem solvers, making it essential to address the issue with effective removal strategies. From sealing entry points to removing food sources, there are safe and humane ways to keep squirrels out of your home for good. At AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC, we specialize in professional squirrel removal, ensuring your home stays protected from these persistent intruders.
Related: Are squirrels hard to get rid of?
Safe and Effective Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Squirrels
Seal Entry Points
The first step in getting rid of unwanted squirrels is to identify and seal any potential entry points around your home. Squirrels are agile creatures that can squeeze through small gaps, sometimes as small as 1.5 inches. Common areas to inspect include rooflines, vents, chimneys, eaves, and even gaps around windows and doors. It’s important to use durable materials like metal flashing, steel wool, or hardware cloth, as squirrels can easily chew through weaker materials such as wood or plastic. Be thorough in your inspection, checking for signs of gnawing, nesting materials, or droppings that indicate active squirrel pathways.
Before sealing any holes, make sure there are no squirrels trapped inside your home. Blocking their exit could lead to further damage as the animals try to escape, and it can create unpleasant issues if the squirrels don’t survive. One-way exclusion doors can be helpful, allowing squirrels to exit but preventing them from re-entering. After confirming the space is squirrel-free, secure all openings tightly. Regularly inspect these areas, especially after storms, as new vulnerabilities can develop over time.
Use Repellents
Repellents can be an effective tool to deter squirrels from specific areas of your home or property. Natural deterrents create strong scents and tastes that squirrels find unpleasant, making them less likely to settle in these spaces. Applying these repellents around entry points, attics, gardens, and even outdoor furniture can discourage squirrels from invading. While repellents may not offer a permanent fix, they work well as part of an integrated squirrel control strategy.
Here are some commonly used squirrel repellents:
- Peppermint Oil: The strong scent overwhelms squirrels’ sensitive noses.
- Predator Urine: Fox or coyote urine can trigger fear responses in squirrels.
- Hot Pepper Spray: Capsaicin-based sprays irritate squirrels’ mouths and noses.
- Vinegar Solutions: Strong-smelling vinegar can act as a temporary deterrent.
- Ammonia-Soaked Rags: The pungent smell can discourage squirrels from nesting in certain areas.
It’s important to reapply natural repellents regularly, especially after rain or cleaning, to maintain their effectiveness. While repellents alone may not solve a serious infestation, they’re most effective when combined with exclusion techniques and professional removal services.
Install Squirrel-Proof Barriers
Physical barriers are a proactive way to prevent squirrels from accessing your home in the first place. Installing chimney caps, vent covers, and sturdy gutter guards can block common entry points that squirrels use to get inside. Chimneys, in particular, are like open doors for squirrels, making caps an essential addition to your home’s defenses. Hardware cloth or metal mesh can be used to reinforce weak spots around soffits, eaves, and attic vents. These materials are strong enough to resist squirrel chewing and durable enough to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Another effective strategy is to trim tree branches that hang close to your roof. Squirrels are excellent jumpers and often use overhanging branches as launch pads to access rooftops. Aim to keep branches at least 10 feet away from your home to limit this risk. Additionally, installing metal collars (known as “squirrel baffles”) around poles and trees can prevent squirrels from climbing up to access your roof or bird feeders. Combining these barriers with regular property maintenance significantly reduces the chances of future squirrel invasions.
Humane Squirrel Removal
When squirrels have already made themselves at home, especially in hard-to-reach areas like attics or walls, professional wildlife removal becomes necessary. At AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC, we specialize in humane squirrel removal, ensuring the animals are safely and efficiently removed without causing harm to your property. Our trained technicians are experienced in identifying squirrel entry points, locating hidden nests, and using safe capture techniques. We employ methods that minimize stress for the animals while effectively resolving the infestation.
Our process doesn’t stop at removal. After the squirrels are gone, we provide thorough inspections to identify and secure all potential re-entry points. We also offer damage repair services for areas affected by squirrel activity, such as chewed wires, damaged insulation, and structural openings. This comprehensive approach ensures that your home is not only squirrel-free but also protected from future invasions. Professional removal is especially important if you’re dealing with aggressive squirrels or recurring infestations that DIY methods haven’t resolved.
Remove Attractants
Reducing food sources and shelter opportunities around your property is key to discouraging squirrels from sticking around. Start by securing outdoor garbage bins with tight-fitting lids to prevent squirrels from scavenging. Bird feeders are another common attractant, as spilled seeds are a favorite snack for squirrels. Consider using squirrel-proof feeders or removing them temporarily if you’re dealing with an active infestation. Additionally, regularly clean up fallen fruits, nuts, and food scraps from your yard, especially during harvest seasons.
Yard maintenance plays a significant role in deterring squirrels. Keep shrubs and bushes trimmed to reduce hiding spots, and avoid leaving pet food or unsecured compost outside. If you have a garden, consider using fencing with small mesh openings to protect plants, as squirrels are known to dig for bulbs and vegetables. By eliminating these attractants, you make your property less appealing to squirrels, reducing the likelihood of future problems even after removal.
Install Motion-Activated Devices
Motion-activated devices are an effective, humane way to deter squirrels from your property. These gadgets respond to movement by triggering sudden lights, sounds, or bursts of water, startling squirrels and encouraging them to leave the area. Motion-activated sprinklers, for example, release a quick spray of water when a squirrel approaches, which is enough to scare them off without causing harm. Similarly, devices that emit ultrasonic sounds or flashing lights can create an environment that feels unsafe for squirrels, reducing their desire to return.
For the best results, position these devices in areas where squirrel activity is most noticeable, such as near gardens, attics, or entry points to your home. It’s important to occasionally change the placement of these devices so squirrels don’t become accustomed to them. Combining motion-activated devices with other deterrents, like sealing entry points or removing food sources, can enhance their effectiveness and help keep your property squirrel-free.
Use Decoy Predators
Decoy predators are a simple yet effective way to scare off squirrels by tapping into their natural fear instincts. Life-like models of owls, hawks, or snakes can create the illusion of a threat, discouraging squirrels from lingering in the area. These decoys are easy to find at garden centers or online and can be placed around rooftops, gardens, or any area where squirrels are a problem. Their presence alone can make squirrels think twice before venturing too close.
To maintain their effectiveness, it’s important to move the decoys regularly. Squirrels are intelligent and will eventually realize if the decoy doesn’t move or pose an actual threat. Rotating their position or adding slight movements, like using wind-activated features, can keep squirrels on edge. Pairing decoy predators with other deterrent methods, such as motion-activated devices or securing food sources, creates a multi-layered defense that helps keep unwanted squirrels at bay.
Conclusion
Dealing with unwanted squirrels requires a proactive approach to prevent property damage and health risks. By sealing entry points, using effective repellents, installing squirrel-proof barriers, and removing attractants, you can significantly reduce the chances of an infestation. However, when squirrels become persistent or hard to control, professional intervention is the safest and most efficient solution.
At AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC, we specialize in humane squirrel removal, ensuring your home stays protected from future invasions. Our team is trained to handle squirrel problems of any size, providing thorough inspections, safe removal, and long-term prevention strategies. Don’t let squirrels take over your space—reach out to us for expert help and peace of mind.
