How to Get Rid of a Bad Squirrel in Your Home
There are a variety of ways on how to get rid of a bad squirrel in your home. Bait, traps, and one-way-exit holes are just a few of the methods you can use to catch the critter. You can also set up distraction stations to keep the animal from reentering your home. Listed below are some of the most common methods that are proven to work.
Table of Contents
Set cage traps outside or on the roof
While predator urine and ultrasonic sound emitters are popular methods of animal removal, these are not very effective. Biologists know that mothballs and ammonia-soaked rags do not work and are ineffective. The only effective methods of squirrel removal are trapping and exclusion. To get rid of a squirrel, you must first understand how it lives and reproduces.
If you have a litter of babies, you can kill the mother and the babies. The dead babies will get their revenge and stink up your attic for weeks to come. You will need to clean the feces, urine, and bacteria from the squirrel’s body to remove the smell. You must also clean up the mess left by the dead animals. For an attic with a large open area, using a MINI FOGGER may be a good solution.
Use bait to get rid of a bad squirrel
If your property is plagued with squirrels, you may have considered trapping them. However, it’s important to remember that squirrel traps only work as effective as the bait you place inside them. Remember, squirrels aren’t particularly curious animals, so they’re unlikely to go inside an empty trap, even if they’re attracted to the bait. So, here are some tips to help you get rid of a bad squirrel:
To get rid of a bad squirrel, you can use poisons. The most common poisons are rat poison and acrolein (Magnacide). While these are effective, they’re not particularly safe to use indoors, and the odor they leave behind may be very unpleasant. Some poisons, such as rat poison, take up to a few days to develop. Once the effects are noticed, the rodents will most likely crawl into a dark corner and die, leaving behind an unpleasant odor. Strychnine is particularly dangerous, as it can rapidly absorb from the pest’s stomach. It causes clinical signs within two hours.
Place a one-way exit hole to prevent squirrels from re-entering your home
Whether they are in the attic or outside the home, squirrels can squeeze through small holes as large as a quarter. To prevent re-entry, place a one-way squirrel exit hole in the exterior of your home. The hole should be oriented toward the outside of your home. This will prevent the squirrels from re-entering your home.
To keep these rodents out of your home, make sure the entrance to the hole is blocked with hardware cloth. Be sure to leave about 2 inches of space between the hardware cloth and the hole. Be sure to use the factory edge and avoid sharp edges. The hardware cloth should then be bent to the outside so the squirrels cannot enter your home. You can also use a repellent around the one-way door.
Set up distraction stations to keep squirrels away
If you have a deck or other outdoor living space where squirrels can get into your food, set up distraction stations for them. Then, if possible, store your pet food and water inside your home so squirrels can’t get it. These critters are notorious for raiding trash cans and patios and can even carry disease. But don’t despair if you can’t stop them from coming inside your house. There are many different ways to keep squirrels away from your property, including installing distraction stations and a squirrel-proof fence.
Squirrels can be easily discouraged by offering them decoy foods. You can place feeders that contain sunflower seeds or other food such as peanuts or safflower seeds. You can also set up statues of hawks to scare them away. In addition to these decoys, you can also hang objects such as human hair in strategic places to scare squirrels away.
Use predator urine
To deter squirrels, sprinkle the perimeter of your house with predator urine. Squirrels are prey animals, so the scent of predator urine will deter them from entering your property. However, there are risks involved in using predator urine, especially when children are present. For example, some repellents may have an unpleasant odor. Regardless of the method, you should always keep these products out of the reach of children.
If you cannot afford to pay an exterminator, you can use natural repellents such as peppermint, garlic, and coffee grounds. These repellents can be sprinkled on flowerbeds, trees, and plants to keep squirrels away. Apply the mixture after a storm and after rain to be effective. After the smell of predator urine is gone, the squirrels will move on to the next option.
How do you get rid of a bad squirrel?
Answer: The best way to get rid of a bad squirrel is to trap it and release it in a wooded area away from your home.
What if the squirrel is still coming around after you’ve tried to trap it?
Answer: If the squirrel is still coming around after you’ve tried to trap it you may need to set up a live trap baited with a food that the squirrel likes.
What kind of food do squirrels like?
Answer: Squirrels like a variety of foods but some of their favorites include nuts fruits and vegetables.
How do you set up a live trap?
Answer: There are a variety of live traps that you can purchase but one of the most effective is the Havahart 1079 Large 1-Door Cage Trap.
This trap should be baited with a food that the squirrel likes and placed in an area where the squirrel is active.
How do you release a squirrel from a live trap?
Answer: When you are ready to release the squirrel from the live trap simply open the door of the trap and let the squirrel walk out on its own.
What if the squirrel won’t come out of the trap?
Answer: If the squirrel won’t come out of the trap you may need to gently prod it with a stick or a piece of fruit to encourage it to leave the trap.
Where is the best place to release a squirrel?
Answer: The best place to release a squirrel is in a wooded area away from your home.
What if there are no wooded areas near my home?
Answer: If there are no wooded areas near your home you can release the squirrel in a park or another natural area.
What if I can’t catch the squirrel?
Answer: If you can’t catch the squirrel you may need to call a professional wildlife removal service to help you remove the squirrel from your property.
What will a professional wildlife removal service do?
Answer: A professional wildlife removal service will be able to identify the problem squirrel and take the necessary steps to remove it from your property.
How much does it cost to hire a professional wildlife removal service?
Answer: The cost of hiring a professional wildlife removal service will vary depending on the company you choose and the extent of the problem.
Can I do anything to prevent squirrels from getting into my yard?
Answer: There are a few things you can do to prevent squirrels from getting into your yard including:
-Trimming trees and shrubs near your home so that squirrels can’t use them to access your roof
-Eliminating food sources that attract squirrels such as bird feeders
-Sealing up any openings into your home that squirrels could use to get inside
What if I already have squirrels in my home?
Answer: If you already have squirrels in your home the best course of action is to call a professional wildlife removal service to have them removed.
What if I see a baby squirrel?
Answer: If you see a baby squirrel it is best to leave it alone as their mother will usually come back for them.
If you are concerned about the welfare of the baby squirrel you can contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center for advice.
What should I do if I find a sick or injured squirrel?
Answer: If you find a sick or injured squirrel the best thing to do is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center or the humane society for advice on how to proceed.

Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.