How to Get Rid of Squirrels

They have a benign, almost cute appearance with their bushy tails, short arms and legs, and pointed ears. But they can wreak havoc within the walls, crawl spaces, and attics of homes in search of shelter. As they move about, they can even harbor infected fleas and ticks that may transfer diseases.
Common Species of Squirrels

Gray Squirrel
How To Identify:
- Roughly 14-21 inches long
- Gray with white undertones
- Most common in the eastern U.S.
- Does not hibernate; active year-round
- Stays within a few acres of its preferred home in suburban areas and neighborhoods
- Solitary by nature
- Carriers of parasites including fleas, ticks, lice, and roundworms – and capable of spreading diseases to humans

Red Squirrel (Pine Squirrel)
How To Identify:
- 7 ½-9 inches in length
- Reddish color with white underbelly
- Widespread across North America – beginning in Alaska, south through Canada and seen in many northern U.S. states
- Does not hibernate, but rather goes dormant during colder weather
- Average lifespan of 3-7 years

Fox Squirrel
How To Identify:
- Range in length from 17-27 inches
- Fur color varies from reddish brown (the most common) to gray to black
- Found throughout eastern and central U.S. but not in the New England states
- Does not hibernate
- Will stay within the same few acres of territory its entire life
- Solitary by nature

Flying Squirrel
How To Identify:
- Ranges from 8-12 inches
- Northern variety found in high elevations of California, Arizona, Michigan, and Alaska
- Southern type seen in lower elevations in the eastern U.S.
- Active and possibly noisy at night

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Signs of Damage

plants

holes

droppings
Step 1: Look for Entry Points

- Damage to bird feeders and garden plants as squirrels seek food
- Tree branches and limbs that are within 8-10 feet of your roof
- Small holes in your yard dug by squirrels
- The sight of squirrels fighting (a sign of overpopulation)
Inside your home, the signs and sounds of squirrel intrusion will be obvious:
- Noise (the sound of movement) in your attic or inside walls
- Sounds during daytime would indicate a gray or fox squirrel; nighttime disturbances would be more likely from a flying squirrel.
- Holes in insulation measuring a few inches in diameter
- Droppings in the attic
- Holes in siding or under soffits
Step 2: Take Steps On Your Own

- Cut back tree branches that run close to your home can prevent their entry, keeping in mind that squirrels can jump up to 10 feet.
- Install 23-gauge hardware cloth wire mesh at locations such as drains, gutters, and under eaves. The wire is thin enough to cut and adjust with hand tools and think enough to prevent squirrels from biting or clawing through.
- Buy a 2-foot-wide metal collar for placement around power poles and isolated trees. This stops squirrels from ascending vertical surfaces.
- If you discover holes in your home or a structure, stuff newspaper into the openings. If the paper isn’t removed for a few days, you can repair the site(s).
Step 3: Develop a Larger Plan for Exclusion

Seasons & Squirrels
Fall
Fall is the most active time of year for tree squirrels — the time during which you’ll see the most activity from them on your property. They sense of the coming of winter, so nesting and hoarding of food kicks into high gear.
Winter
Winter quiets squirrel activity as food becomes scarce, and they spend less time searching for food and more time sharing a den to conserve warmth. They also prepare for the colder months by hoarding food and eating more to bulk up and save body heat.
Spring and Summer
Depending on the region, squirrels may enter into the first of their two breeding seasons during winter (December through February). The second season occurs in late spring (March) or early summer (July). Females will typically produce two litters each year, with two to four young in each litter (flying squirrels may have litters of up to seven young).

Squirrels are prevalent in many regions of the U.S. While they aren’t dangerous and often even scared of humans, they can wreak havoc on your property.
Because they forage for fungi, seeds, nuts and fruits, they can damage your garden by pulling up roots and continuously knocking over or emptying out your bird feeders. If they get into your attic, basement or crawl spaces, they’ll also cause a lot of damage by trying to forage through insulation and chewing through wires.
Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to prevent squirrels from affecting your property, and additional treatment steps available if they have already become a problem for you.
Limit Their Access
- Invest in gutter guards and covers for downspouts so that squirrels won’t have access to your house from the rooftop.
- Trim tree branches that hang over your roof line. Squirrels often travel by tree branches and any that touch your house provide the perfect bridge.
- Don’t let any material or debris pile up against the side of your house. Once you’ve raked or trimmed trees and bushes, dispose of them or move them away from the building until you can.
- Inspect your house and walls for cracks, crevices and openings that are large enough for squirrels. If you do find any, seal them up with caulk or expandable foam. For larger openings, you may need to complete repairs or cover them with screen or new siding in order to remove entry points.
Remove Food Sources
- Inspect your outdoor trash cans and make sure they’re properly sealed. If they’re cracked or can easily pop open, a squirrel will easily find its way inside. Periodically wash out your cans in order to remove residue and odors.
- Double-bag especially odorous waste like meat and fruit before throwing it into your trash can.
- If you have fruiting plants and trees or those that produce nuts and seeds, take extra care to rake up any that have fallen to the ground. Don’t give fruit a chance to ripen and rot.
- Don’t leave pet food out. Try to take it away once your pets have finished eating, or seal it up while it’s not in use.
- Keep bird feeders in hard-to-reach places. Squirrels are expert climbers, so they can easily get into most spaces, but placing the feeders away from your house can discourage them from coming nearby. There are also squirrel-proof bird feeders that prevent them from getting into the feed with a special shape or barrier.
- Don’t forget to clean inside as well. Make sure that there is no debris or old food residue in your attic or basement.
Eliminate Standing Water
- A properly sealed trash can will keep out water as well as odors.
- After it rains, check your yard and see where water is pooling. If you have small holes or dips in the ground, these are usually easy to fill in to prevent small puddles.
- Take note of any décor or items you have in your yard that might collect water. These should be moved or altered so that they don’t hold any standing water. Many planters and pots hold more water than necessary, and those can be fixed by drilling holes into the bottom for drainage.

Repellents
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Mulch

Vinegar

Mint

Cayenne Pepper

Safflower Seeds

Squirrel Feeder

Sprinkler Systems

Ultrasonic Devices

Floodlights

If you’d rather purchase a highly rated repellent from the store or online, we’ve done the research for you and found the best squirrel repellents and deterrents.
Bait and Trap

Live traps include cages and traps with one-way exclusion doors. With both of these, the squirrels are left inside so that you can remove them later. If you’re taking the trap outside to let the squirrel free, you’ll want to make sure you’re using repellents and have taken the proper steps to block off entryways to your house so that they don’t find their way back in.
Furthermore, you should take precautionary steps toward protecting yourself when letting the critters loose. Squirrels won’t bite, but their nails can be long and scratch you as you’re letting them out of the trap. Prepare yourself with long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of sturdy gloves. Unless you have prior knowledge of where you can release squirrels, contact a local wildlife expert to find appropriate places where they can be released. Depending on where you release them, you could be putting the squirrels in danger or subjecting someone else to an infestation. If you aren’t sure, it’s always better to ask.
Even if you’re using a live trap, you should still remember to check it frequently for squirrels, as they can harm themselves through trying to get out or even die if they’re accidentally left out in harsh weather.
For both live and kill traps, they’ll need to be washed properly before reusing them. Squirrels carry diseases with which you’ll then come into contact if you handle the trap without properly disinfecting it. Also make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with squirrels or any other wild animals.
Squirrel Baiting
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS
- Peanuts and peanut butter
- Apple slices
- Orange slices
DIRECTIONS
For any trap, you’ll want to be sure that you’re pairing it with bait so that the squirrels will actually make their way inside of it. Some things you can use as bait include simple household products you may already have.
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Squirrel Poison

Squirrel Poisons
- Rat poison
- Anticoagulants
- Strychnine
DIRECTIONS
To use these poisons, you usually just need to leave them out with bait to disguise the smell. Note that poisons can be pungent and dangerous to use if you have children or pets. There are also ethical questions that arise when using poisons, especially with ones like strychnine that cause the animal to be in pain and experience seizures and tremors until it dies.
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Fences

Vegetable Netting


Pest management professionals use an integrated plan that removes the squirrels in a humane way and uses the proper treatment methods to repel them. If you’re considering using traps, this expert will know the best way to handle the animal when taking them out, and they’ll know exactly where to release them so they don’t come back or cause anyone else harm. He or she may give you some tips for your house and yard, and it will be important to follow those and work as a team to get rid of the squirrel problem for good.