What’s that scratching noise coming from your attic?
Squirrels, these adorable bird feeder thieves, and destroyers of private property have a knack for burrowing their way into places they aren’t supposed to be in — like your attic.
Unfortunately, once they set up shop among your Christmas decorations and boxes of memorabilia, they can be tough to drive away. That said, “difficult” does not mean impossible, and there are a few things you can do to get rid of these furry little home invaders.
Are you wondering how to get rid of squirrels in the attic? Don’t panic! We’re here to help.
How to Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic
Squirrels aren’t just a hazard to your home and belongings. They can also pose a safety risk to you and your family — especially if they have a litter. So, as soon as you realize you have a squirrel problem, you need to take the necessary steps to get rid of them.
Here’s your step by step guide on how to get rid of squirrels in the attic, and keep them away once they’re gone.
Find and Seal Their Entrance Points
Before you can start driving your squirrels out, you need to figure out where they’re getting in.
Squirrels can squeeze in just about any small opening, be it a vent or hole in your siding. On top of that, they can chew and burrow through insulation and other soft linings that may stand between them and where they want to go.
If it’s safe, try going up to your attic during the day and looking for daylight. Looking for light sources can help you find their entrance holes. You can also inspect the outside of your home for signs of damage.
Once you figure out how they’re getting in, you need to patch up or block all of their entry points except one. If there are still squirrels in your attic, you need to give them a way to get out.
Set-Up Repellents
Once you know how they’re getting in, it’s time to start driving them out.
Setting up bright lights or playing loud music is an excellent way to scare residents squirrels away. While you can also try using ultrasonic rodent repellent, this high frequency can also irritate children and teenagers. So, if you have kids in the house, you may want to give this one a miss. Spraying a hot sauce mixture around their entrance points can also help drive away squirrels.
Try a Few Traps
Traps are another excellent way to get rid of the squirrels in your attic. That said, if you use traps, you’re also going to have to empty them.
If you use humane, catch and release traps, remember to release the squirrels you capture far enough away from your property that they won’t be able to find their way back.
Pest Prevention
Once your attic is squirrel free, you should take a few extra cautionary steps to make sure it stays that way.
Seal up all of the squirrel entry points, and inspect the rest of your house for holes, openings, and any other places squirrels or other pests could potentially use to get into your home. You may also want to consider trimming any tree branches that squirrels could use to get onto your roof.
Squirrels Driving You Nuts?
Now that you know how to get rid of squirrels in the attic, you have a decision to make.
Getting rid of squirrels can be tricky and time-consuming. And, if you make a mistake, there’s a good chance you’ll wind up with more squirrels in your attic soon. But, by bringing in a professional, you can guarantee that the job will be taken care of the right way the first time. So you can relax and enjoy your squirrel free home.
Need a little help getting the squirrels out of your attic? We’ve got you covered. Contact NJ Pest Control for more information about our services or to get a quote today.
We serve the counties of Morris, Bergen, Passaic, Union, Essex, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon and Somerset. Give us a call to see if we serve your town within the counties listed.
