How to Get (and Keep!) Squirrels Out of Your Attic

How to Get (and Keep!) Squirrels Out of Your Attic
Angie Mohr


I remember a time when I thought that squirrels were adorable. I would watch in fascination as they darted about in the fall leaves, gathering nuts and berries for the impending winter. And then...one found its way into our attic. And then another. And another. We tried many methods to get rid of the squirrels in our attic, from sound generation devices to fox urine, but here is what worked for us in the end.

Step 1: Find where the squirrels are entering the attic. Although this may seem at first to be an easy task, it usually isn't. Squirrels can enter any hole in the attic the size of their skull. They simply squeeze their body in to follow. Make sure that the squirrels have left the attic for the day prior to boarding up any holes. Walk around the attic and the outside of the house with a flashlight, checking roof line edges, gable joiners, and under the eaves. When a hole is located, block it off with either wood or reinforced steel mesh. Window screen is useless as the squirrels will chew through it like paper.

Step 2: Remove any traces of squirrel activity in the attic. Look in the attic for squirrel feces, shredded insulation, or nut stores. Wearing a safety mask and gloves, shovel out any squirrel detritus into a garbage bag and tie securely. Spray a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart water mixed in a spray bottle around the areas where there was squirrel activity. Do not over-wet the insulation if exposed.

Step 3: Live trap any new squirrel guests. Inevitably, squirrels will find that their holes have been blocked and will either attempt to make new ones or will find a way to disable your barriers. Set a live trap in the attic to capture any new squirrel residents. Place a cracker covered with peanut butter in the far end of the trap to entice the squirrels. Once caught, the method of dispatch is up to you, but there are really only two that work. Squirrels are territorial and can find their way back to their old stomping grounds from over ten miles away so if you plan to release them, it should be from a greater distance. Make sure that you are in compliance with local laws on the capture and release of wildlife. Many jurisdictions make it illegal to release wildlife off of your property. Which brings us to the second method of dispatch: death. The method of killing should be humane and quick. Drowning is the preferred method. Fill a 55 gallon garbage can with water and immerse the entire cage with the squirrel. Cover with a lid and wait for a minimum of fifteen minutes. Remove the squirrel and bury a minimum of 4 feet deep to prevent predation.

Once you have had squirrels in your attic, it is likely that it will happen again if allowed, so you will always need to be vigilant and frequently inspect the attic for signs of intrusion. All holes should be blocked immediately. You may choose to keep the live trap set continuously in the attic. Just ensure that you check it at least twice a day. You may never again see the cute side to these pesky animals, but at least you can keep them from living in your house. (562 words)



Click here for copyright permissions!


Copyright 2011 Angie Mohr