“To get a squirrel to leave, remove food sources, create an uncomfortable environment, and seal entry points to prevent return.”
Squirrels may seem harmless when they’re scurrying around your yard, but they can quickly become a nuisance if they find their way into your home, attic, or garage. Once inside, they can cause significant damage by chewing through wires, insulation, and even wooden structures, creating potential fire hazards and structural issues. Additionally, squirrels can carry parasites and diseases that pose health risks to your family and pets.
Getting a squirrel to leave isn’t always as simple as waiting for it to go on its own. These persistent creatures often seek warm, safe spaces to nest, especially during colder months. The longer they stay, the more damage they can cause. Fortunately, there are humane and effective ways to encourage squirrels to leave without causing harm. In this guide, we’ll cover proven strategies to safely get rid of unwanted squirrels and prevent them from returning.
Why Squirrels Don’t Leave on Their Own
Squirrels are resourceful creatures that often find your home or attic to be the perfect shelter. They seek out warm, dry spaces with easy access to food, making attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys ideal nesting spots. Once they’ve settled in, squirrels are unlikely to leave on their own, especially if they’ve established a food source or are raising young. Their natural instinct is to stay in a safe, secure environment, which is why simply waiting them out rarely works.
Another reason squirrels may refuse to leave is their strong homing instinct. Even if they temporarily exit your home, they often return to the same spot, especially if entry points are still accessible. This behavior can lead to repeated infestations if the root cause isn’t addressed. Understanding why squirrels stay helps you implement effective strategies to make your home less inviting, encouraging them to move on to a more natural habitat.
Effective Ways to Get a Squirrel to Leave
Remove Food Sources
One of the most effective ways to encourage a squirrel to leave is by removing any food sources that may be attracting it. Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, and easy access to food will keep them coming back. Secure garbage bins with tight-fitting lids, temporarily remove bird feeders, and clean up fallen fruits, nuts, or seeds around your yard. If you have pets, avoid leaving pet food outside, as this can also attract squirrels. Inside your home, store pantry items in sealed containers and clean up crumbs or spills promptly to eliminate easy food access.
By cutting off their food supply, you make your home less appealing, forcing squirrels to seek nourishment elsewhere. This strategy is most effective when combined with other deterrent methods, creating an environment that discourages squirrels from returning. The key is consistency—regularly maintaining a clean, food-free area reduces the chances of a squirrel settling in or coming back after they’ve left.
Create Unpleasant Environments
Squirrels prefer quiet, undisturbed spaces, so making their environment uncomfortable can encourage them to leave. Strong scents like peppermint oil, vinegar, or predator urine act as natural deterrents because squirrels find them overwhelming. Soak cotton balls in these substances and place them near entry points, nesting sites, or areas where you’ve noticed squirrel activity. Reapplying these scents regularly ensures their effectiveness, especially in open outdoor spaces where smells can dissipate quickly.
In addition to scents, loud noises and bright lights can disrupt a squirrel’s sense of safety. Use radios, ultrasonic devices, or motion-activated lights in attics or crawl spaces to create an environment they’ll want to avoid. Consistency is crucial—keeping these deterrents active for several days increases the likelihood that the squirrel will move on, especially when combined with food removal and sealing potential entry points.
Use One-Way Exclusion Devices
One-way exclusion devices are humane tools designed to allow squirrels to exit your home but prevent them from re-entering. These devices are typically installed over known entry points, guiding the squirrel out while blocking its return path. Before installing an exclusion device, inspect the area thoroughly to ensure no baby squirrels are left behind, as separating a mother from her young can cause additional problems and distress for both the animals and homeowners.
Once you’re confident that all squirrels have exited, seal the entry point permanently with durable materials like metal flashing or hardware cloth. This method is highly effective when combined with other deterrent techniques, ensuring squirrels don’t find new ways to get back inside. Regularly checking the area after installation will help confirm that the exclusion device is working properly and that the squirrels have not created new access points.
Seal Entry Points After They Leave
After the squirrels have left, it’s critical to seal all potential entry points to prevent future infestations. Conduct a thorough inspection of your home’s exterior, focusing on areas like rooflines, soffits, vents, chimneys, and gaps around windows or doors. Squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so even minor gaps should be addressed. Use strong, chew-resistant materials such as steel mesh, metal flashing, or hardware cloth to secure these vulnerable areas effectively.
For chimneys and vents, consider installing caps or covers designed to keep wildlife out while maintaining proper airflow. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure your home remains squirrel-free over time. By proactively sealing potential entry points, you reduce the risk of squirrels returning and causing damage to your home’s structure or wiring, which can be costly to repair.
Call a Professional for Stubborn Cases
If you’ve tried multiple methods and the squirrel still refuses to leave, it’s time to call in the professionals. Squirrels can be surprisingly persistent, especially if they’ve nested inside your walls, attic, or other hard-to-reach areas. At AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC, we specialize in humane squirrel removal, using safe and effective techniques to handle even the most challenging cases. Our team is trained to identify entry points, safely remove squirrels, and implement long-term prevention strategies to keep them from returning.
Professional help is especially important if you’re dealing with aggressive squirrels, potential health risks, or extensive property damage. We ensure the problem is handled quickly, legally, and with minimal disruption to your home. Additionally, we offer guidance on how to prevent future infestations, giving you peace of mind that your home will stay squirrel-free for the long term.
What to Avoid When Trying to Get a Squirrel to Leave
While it’s important to act quickly when dealing with unwanted squirrels, certain methods can do more harm than good. Using ineffective or illegal techniques can lead to unnecessary stress for the animal, property damage, and even legal consequences. Knowing what to avoid will help you manage the situation humanely and safely.
First, never use poison or harmful traps to get rid of squirrels. Not only are these methods inhumane, but they are also illegal in many areas and can pose serious risks to pets, other wildlife, and even humans. Poisoned squirrels can die inside walls or attics, creating foul odors and attracting other pests. Additionally, avoid attempting to catch or handle squirrels without proper training or equipment, as they can bite or scratch when they feel threatened, potentially transmitting diseases. Lastly, don’t seal entry points without confirming the squirrel has left, as this can trap them inside, leading to more damage and ethical concerns. Always use humane, legal methods to ensure effective and responsible squirrel removal.
Conclusion
Getting a squirrel to leave your home or property requires a combination of patience, the right techniques, and humane practices. By removing food sources, creating an uncomfortable environment, using one-way exclusion devices, and sealing entry points, you can effectively encourage squirrels to leave without causing harm. Acting quickly is important to prevent property damage and health risks associated with squirrel infestations.
If the problem persists or feels overwhelming, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. At AAAC Wildlife Removal Columbia, SC, we specialize in safe, humane squirrel removal and long-term prevention solutions. Our team is equipped to handle even the most stubborn cases, ensuring your home stays squirrel-free. Reach out to us for expert assistance and peace of mind.
