If you’ve been hearing scratching or scurrying in your attic, you may have a squirrel infestation. Squirrels are problematic in your home because of their ability to damage walls, chew through electrical wiring, and leave behind feces. If you want to know how to get squirrels out of your attic, you can start by destroying the nest, sealing off entry points, using a one-way cage trap, or hiring a professional pest control service.
Oftentimes, hiring a pest control expert is the best course of action. They can quickly get rid of squirrels in the attic while keeping you and your family safe. Some of the best pest control companies even repair insulation and damage done by squirrels. If you want to hire a pest control expert, get a free estimate from a local expert below. Read on to learn more about how to get rid of squirrels in the attic and stop these critters from coming into your home.
Signs You May Have a Squirrel Infestation
Before you try getting rid of squirrels, it’s important to make sure that you actually have squirrels in your attic and not some other type of rodent.
Here are some signs of squirrels to look out for:
- Scurrying, scratching, and chewing noises coming from the ceiling, attic, or crawl spaces
- Teeth marks on wood or wire
- Chewed electrical wires
- Squirrel droppings
- Water damage on the walls and ceiling
- Air vent damage
- Unpleasant odor coming from your vents or ceiling (from decaying squirrels)
If you’re still unsure what type of creature may be living in your attic, try to get a closer look and catch the invading pests in the act. If you see them with your own eyes, that’s the best way to make sure you know what pest has invaded the space.
Are Squirrels Dangerous to Humans?
While squirrels may not seem very threatening, they can pose a danger to humans because they spread diseases. Squirrels frequently carry diseases like tularemia, typhus, plague, and ringworm, which can be deadly.
Squirrels also can be dangerous to humans because of the destruction they cause to homes. They often chew wires, which could cause electrical fires if the wires are exposed. Squirrels may not be directly dangerous to humans because of physical attacks, but their presence can definitely be dangerous.
Steps for Getting Rid of Squirrels in the Attic
Getting rid of squirrels is a process, and it won’t happen overnight. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to get squirrels out of your attic as soon as possible.
1. Locate and Destroy the Nest
If you believe you have a family of squirrels in your attic, start by looking for the nest. Squirrel nests are usually made of leaves, insulation, cardboard, or paper.
Typically, squirrels mate in spring or fall. If you have squirrels during those seasons, you may have baby squirrels present. If this is the case, give the babies a couple of weeks to grow old enough to leave their family, then clean out the nests and take preventative measures, like sealing off access points.
2. Seal Attic Openings
Like all rodents, squirrels can fit through tight, small entry points. Be sure to seal off all small entry holes to your home and attic to keep more squirrels from coming in. Closely examine your home for entry points, then seal them with a caulk or close them off with wire mesh. Leave one hole open until all the squirrels have left your attic, then fill that one in as well.
3. Use a One-Way Cage Trap
A one-way cage trap can be a very effective way to get rid of squirrels in your attic. After sealing up all the exits but one, put the one-way door outside the last entry point so the squirrels get caught in the cage when they exit your attic. Then, you can relocate them at least five miles away from your home.
You can also use other types of squirrel traps in your garden to get rid of squirrels in your yard. Remember that squirrels and wildlife can’t be relocated or trapped in some states, so check your local laws first.
4. Hire a Professional Pest Control Company
A professional pest control company is the best and most efficient way to take care of your squirrel problem. Pest control professionals are specially trained to get rid of squirrels and wildlife using live traps. In addition, they can check your home for potential entry points and help with preventative methods to keep these squirrels from returning to your home, giving you a pest-proof home for years to come.
How To Prevent Squirrels From Getting in Your Home
Once you get the squirrels out of your attic, there are a handful of ways you can prevent them from coming back. Take the following preventative measures to prevent squirrels from coming back:
- Trim your trees: Squirrels climb trees, power lines, and gutters to travel from place to place. To prevent squirrels from getting into your attic, keep your tree branches trimmed, especially near your roofline.
- Change bird feeder food: Bird food, such as corn, nuts, and sunflower seeds, are attractive food sources for squirrels. If you use these types of bird food, try switching to a different type that squirrels enjoy less. You can also invest in a squirrel-proof bird feeder to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder.
- Get a motion-activated sprinkler system: Sudden movement scares off many pests, including squirrels. A motion-activated sprinkler will suddenly spray squirrels with water, which is an effective way to prevent squirrels from lingering.
- Put up a plastic owl: Owls are squirrels’ natural predators, making plastic owls a functional scarecrow of sorts. To keep squirrels off your property, place a plastic owl up to help scare squirrels away from your property.
- Use a taste repellent: Squirrels hate certain smells, so use a mixture of apple cider vinegar, garlic, and water to keep them away. Try making this squirrel repellent at home and spraying it around the perimeter of your house to keep squirrels at bay. You could also use ingredients like peppermint oil, mothballs, or commercial squirrel repellants to keep squirrels away.
Best Pest Control Companies for Squirrel Removal
The Today’s Homeowners team has reviewed all of the top pest control companies and exterminators in the United States based on important factors, such as pricing, customer services, and plans. Terminix and Orkin are repeatedly our top-ranked pest control companies. Read on to learn more about both companies’ squirrel removal services.
Terminix
Terminix’s pest control team is second to none, comprised of graduate and PhD-level entomologists. Many Terminix team members have developed new, innovative pest control products for the government and published scientific reports on pest control.
Terminix offers both quarterly and bi-monthly pest control services, which can keep pests away from your home all year long. For squirrels, Terminix will trap and relocate them, then use preventative measures, like sealing off entry points to prevent squirrels from returning to your home.
Read our Terminix Review to learn more.
Orkin
Orkin uses integrated pest management to control pests, meaning they work with your environment to keep pests out of your home and yard. For squirrel removal, Orkin starts by identifying whether you have squirrels or another type of rodent, like roof rats, because the two are often mistaken for each other.
Once they identify the pest, Orkin technicians live trap squirrels and relocate them. After your attic is free of squirrels, Orkin technicians look for entry points and recommend your next steps.
Get a free Orkin quote by filling out this form, and read our full Orkin Review to learn more.
Compare the Top Pest Control Providers
| Provider | Terminix | Orkin |
| Free quote | Visit Site | Visit Site |
| Our take | 9.8/10 | 9.6/10 |
| BBB rating | A+ | A+ |
| Annual cost | $550 – $700 | $575 |
| State availability | 47 | 47 |
Protect Your Home From Squirrels in the Attic
Squirrels may seem cute from a distance, but they’re still tricky pests that can be difficult to get out of your attic because they need to be live-trapped. I recommend handling your squirrel problem as quickly as possible since squirrels can spread disease, destroy your home, and even cause fire hazards if they chew through electrical wiring.
You can try various types of DIY pest control methods, but when in doubt, I recommend hiring a local pest control expert. These pros have the know-how to trap all kinds of pests and leave your home squirrel-free in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do squirrels get into attics?
Squirrels are notorious for their ability to squeeze through tight spaces and gaps in your home’s exterior. If you have missing roof shingles or holes in your walls, the squirrels can squeeze through that to get inside.
Can a squirrel chew through a wall?
Yes. Squirrels can chew through almost anything. All rodents have constantly growing teeth, so they gnaw on things to grind down their teeth and keep them shorter. Squirrels are no exception, so they will chew anything in sight to keep their teeth shorter once inside your home.
Do squirrels leave the attic during the day?
Most squirrels will leave your attic space during the day to find food. The only exception is baby squirrels, who will typically stay inside your attic until they are grown and ready to leave their mother.
Are there humane ways to remove squirrels from an attic?
Most ways of getting rid of squirrels are humane because they have to be live-trapped to get them out of your attic. The same goes for getting squirrels out of walls, basements, sheds, and any other structure. Simply trap the squirrel, take them at least five miles away from your home, and then set them loose in the wild.
