How to Get Rid of a Squirrel in Your Home 
If you’ve been pondering how to get rid of a squirrel in the house, you’re not alone. Many homeowners have had to deal with this problem, and you may be wondering how to deal with it, or whether you need professional help. Squirrels aren’t typically aggressive, but they may bite or scratch if cornered. Not only are these bites painful, but they can also cause infection, and they may be carriers of viral diseases. Most squirrels will try to flee as quickly as possible and their instinct is to nest in places where they don’t have to be disturbed by humans.
Moth balls
While mothballs are effective at driving squirrels out, they can also cause a foul odor, which is why they should not be used in homes with children. If the squirrels are really committed to your home, you can also use other methods to keep them away. One such way is to place a few mothballs in problem areas. Make sure to replace these after several weeks, as the smell can last up to a month.
Metal flashing
Squirrels can cause serious structural and electrical damage to your home. Taking precautions to reinforce your home’s vulnerable areas is essential to keep them out. The first step is to identify their hiding places. Squirrels are extremely intelligent and will flee if they think they’re being observed. If you can catch them, you’ll be well on your way to getting rid of them forever.
Loud music
If you’re having trouble getting rid of a squirrel, one of the easiest ways to scare it is to play loud music in its home. If you want to scare a squirrel into leaving your attic, you can put up loud music on a loop in the attic. You can also purchase ultrasonic noise makers that emit high-frequency noises. Another way to scare a squirrel away is to set up a bright strobe light in an area that they frequent. A strobe light can be effective too, as the suddenness and brightness of the lights will scare them away.
Vibration
Using a vibration device to get rid of a squirrel is a great method for removing the rodent without causing harm to it. The squirrels will leave the premises within a few minutes, but you should give them a little time to understand that it is safe to be released. If the squirrel is stuck in a wall, make sure to leave it plenty of space to get out.
Banging
Depending on the type of squirrel infesting your house, you may need to use a combination of techniques to scare it away. For example, you could leave a pot of vinegar near the bottom of your fireplace or attic door. If the squirrel notices the smell, he may leave the house. If all else fails, it may be time to call a pest control expert. After all, a squirrel is just as terrified of humans as humans are of them, so they’ll be more likely to leave your property if they feel threatened.
Staying calm
If you are worried that a squirrel might invade your home, you can try to stay calm. If you can make the squirrel realize that they are not welcome and that they are being observed, they will leave the area and go away within a few minutes. Nevertheless, you can still attempt to remove them if they are a persistent nuisance. The following tips will help you get rid of a squirrel in your home.
Putting up bird feeders
Putting up bird feeders can attract rodents, and trapping them will only cause more damage. Not only will trapping them cause fur loss, it also exposes the squirrels to toxins and glue. If they escape, they could ingest the glue and get stuck on a tree branch or pole. If you are really desperate, you could also try using a slinky, a wire-coiled pole, or other deterrents that are known to repel squirrels.
1.
How do you get rid of a squirrel in your home?
You will need to remove the food sources that are attracting the squirrel as well as block any openings that the squirrel is using to gain access to your home.
You may need to use a live trap to catch and remove the squirrel from your home.
2.
What are some common food sources that attract squirrels?
Some common food sources that attract squirrels are bird seed nuts and fruits.
3.
What are some common places where squirrels gain access to homes?
Some common places where squirrels gain access to homes are through holes in the roof gaps in soffits and openings around chimneys.
4.
How do you set a live trap for a squirrel?
You will need to bait the trap with a food source that the squirrel is attracted to.
Once the squirrel is in the trap you will need to release it in a location away from your home.
5.
What is the best time of day to set a live trap for a squirrel?
The best time of day to set a live trap for a squirrel is in the early morning or evening when the squirrel is most active.
6.
How often do you need to check a live trap?
You will need to check a live trap every few hours to see if you have caught a squirrel.
7.
What do you do if you catch a squirrel in a live trap?
If you catch a squirrel in a live trap you will need to release it in a location away from your home.
8.
How do you block openings that a squirrel is using to gain access to your home?
You will need to seal up any openings that the squirrel is using to gain access to your home with hardware cloth caulk or another sealant.
9.
What is the best time of year to get rid of a squirrel in your home?
The best time of year to get rid of a squirrel in your home is in the fall when they are looking for a place to store food for the winter.
10.
What are some signs that you have a squirrel in your home?
Some signs that you have a squirrel in your home are seeing droppings hearing noises in the attic or finding damage to food sources.
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.
