Squirrels may be cute when they’re scampering around in the trees, but when they decide to take up residence in your attic, they can quickly become a serious problem. Not only can squirrels cause significant damage to your home, but they can also pose health risks by bringing parasites and diseases indoors. The good news is that there are humane and effective ways to evict squirrels from your attic without causing harm to these clever creatures.
At Critter Control of Cape Cod, we specialize in humane wildlife removal and exclusion. If you’ve discovered squirrels in your attic, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to evict them safely and ensure they don’t return.
Inspect Your Attic for Signs of Squirrel Activity
The first step in addressing a squirrel infestation is identifying the problem. Common signs that squirrels are living in your attic include:
- Noises: Scratching or scurrying sounds, particularly at dawn or dusk, when squirrels are most active.
- Damaged Insulation: Squirrels may chew on insulation, wiring, and even wood beams.
- Visible Droppings: Squirrel droppings, which can carry diseases, may be found in attics or nearby spaces.
- Nesting Materials: Squirrels often create nests using leaves, twigs, and shredded insulation.
Take a close look at your attic for any signs of these activities, and be sure to inspect the exterior of your home for potential entry points.
Locate and Seal Entry Points
Squirrels are expert climbers and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. The most common entry points are:
- Gaps around vents, chimneys, or rooflines
- Holes in the eaves or soffits
- Damaged or missing shingles
- Cracks or holes in the siding
Once you’ve identified where the squirrels are getting in, it’s crucial to secure these openings. However, do not seal any entry points until you’re certain the squirrels have been safely evicted. If the squirrels are still inside, they could become trapped and may cause further damage as they attempt to escape.
Use Humane Traps to Evict Squirrels
Humane trapping is an effective method for removing squirrels from your attic. Live traps, often baited with peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or other foods that attract squirrels, are the most common tools used for this purpose. However, it’s important to:
- Check traps regularly: Squirrels can become stressed or even injured if left in traps for too long.
- Release squirrels far from your home: Once trapped, release the squirrels at least 10 miles away from your property to prevent them from finding their way back.
- Avoid harmful traps: Never use kill traps or other inhumane methods to remove squirrels. These can cause unnecessary suffering and may be illegal in many areas.
If you’re not comfortable setting traps or don’t have the time to monitor them, you can enlist the help of professional wildlife control experts, like Critter Control of Cape Cod. We specialize in the safe, humane removal of squirrels and other wildlife.
Create a Squirrel Deterrent Plan
Once the squirrels have been evicted, it’s time to prevent them from returning. This is where exclusion comes into play. Here are some effective ways to keep squirrels out:
- Install squirrel-proof barriers: Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth or steel mesh to cover any openings or potential entry points. Make sure the mesh has holes no larger than 1/4 inch to prevent squirrels from squeezing through.
- Use repellents: While not always 100% effective, natural repellents like peppermint oil, predator urine, or commercial squirrel deterrents may help discourage squirrels from trying to re-enter your home.
- Trim overhanging trees: Squirrels can jump from nearby branches onto your roof. Keep trees trimmed so that branches are at least 6–10 feet away from your house.
- Block chimney openings: Install a chimney cap to prevent squirrels from entering through your fireplace.
Monitor for New Activity
After sealing up your attic and implementing deterrents, it’s important to continue monitoring the situation. If you notice any new signs of squirrels or hear additional scurrying noises, contact a professional wildlife control company for assistance.
Why Choose Critter Control of Cape Cod?
At Critter Control of Cape Cod, we understand how unsettling it can be to find squirrels in your attic. Our expert technicians are trained in humane wildlife removal methods and will work to ensure your home is squirrel-free without causing harm to the animals. Our process involves:
- Thorough inspections: We check every possible entry point to ensure that squirrels—and other critters—cannot get back in.
- Humane removal: We use live traps and other humane techniques to safely relocate squirrels away from your property.
- Exclusion and prevention: We seal entry points and use other methods to prevent future infestations.
Squirrel problems don’t have to be stressful. With Critter Control of Cape Cod on your side, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safe, secure, and wildlife-free.
Contact Us Today
If you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation, don’t wait! The longer you wait, the more damage squirrels can cause to your attic and your home. Contact Critter Control of Cape Cod today to schedule a consultation and let us handle the problem safely and humanely.