The 3 Best Ways to Remove and Prevent Squirrels from Your Attic

If squirrels are invading your attic space, it is time to take action. Yet, squirrel removal is no easy task. Prevention helps, but what are the best ways to remove and prevent squirrels from moving into your attic?

Squirrels cost millions of dollars in damages every year. A squirrel caused $300,000 in damages to an ice arena being converted to a community center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The squirrel was nesting in the rafters and got into the electrical equipment on the roof.  The critter created a power surge that damaged the HVAC unit, the boiler, and all of the electrical wiring. The squirrel did not survive.  

Vermin don’t just stick to ruining community centers. A squirrel will begin to look for a place to nest around one year of age. .  

How to Remove Squirrels from Your Attic

When we have provided our squirrel removal services, we have found that they prefer to nest in places that provide protection from predators and a cozy environment to raise baby squirrels, known as kittens. This is why attics are their preferred choice.

It may have been the sounds that first alerted you to the presence of an animal living in your attic, but there is other evidence to observe. If you recognize the warning signs of squirrels living in your attic, you must take action to remove the animal.

If you intend to remove a squirrel on your own, you will need patience and a few tools. 

• Humane traps: Cages or netting are effective alternatives to set a trap that will kill the animal, which is illegal in most states.
• Squirrel appropriate bait: In our experience dealing with squirrels, nuts, seeds, and cheese are the most common bait options. Note that the food may attract other animals.
• Approved Sanitizers: You must fog the area where the animals have nested and the access points. You can do this before and after the removal of the squirrels in the attic.
• Environmentally Safe Repellent: There are several on the market. Capsaicin products are a popular choice. Be careful that it does not disturb other wildlife.

After you have removed the squirrel from your attic, it is a good idea to consult a professional pest control agent like Critter Stop, who can ensure that the animal is gone and that you have taken the necessary precautions to keep the squirrels from returning.

3 Best Ways to Prevent Squirrels from Getting into Your Attic

Squirrels are wild animals and are unpredictable. They can be dangerous and may have rabies or other transmittable diseases. Although, generally, these animals are harmless to humans. They are not harmless to your home.

Once you have removed the animal, there are things that you must do to prevent the animal from returning. Especially if you have chosen humane squirrel removal options.

1. Locate the Source of Entry

Because of their size, squirrels can fit into some tight spots. Locating their points of entry will be the first step to prevent vermin from entering your home. It may be a time-consuming process, and you must be thorough.

The roof, eaves, and overhangs are the first places to check. Also, consider if there are any trees or décor they can climb. Trim your trees, and remove unnecessary exterior furnishings. After locating how they are getting in, you must then seal it off.

2. Remove Nests and Droppings

To keep other critters from moving into the newly vacated space, you have to remove the nest and any droppings they left behind. Some vermin are opportunistic and will take the opportunity at an upgrade if they find your home to be more suitable.

The nest and excrement left behind will worsen over time, and the stench and damaged materials cause deterioration and depreciation of your house.  Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to remove odor-causing contaminants.

3. Replace Insulation and Soiled Building Materials

Small rodents are notorious for chewing on wood, wires, and other building materials. You are more likely to discover you have a pest problem by first seeing the evidence of animals. You will see holes in your roof or siding, or nesting materials, like insulation, around the house.

If you are going to make these repairs yourself, wear gloves and other protective gear. If you choose to hire a professional, you are looking to spend $1,500 to $15,000 on repairs depending on the damages.

Squirrels in Your Attic is Not Your Only Problem

The American Public Power Association (APPA) developed a data tracker called “The Squirrel Index” to track the extent of the power outages caused by squirrels each year. One thing this data uncovered was that squirrels are not the only cause for these disruptions.

Other critters that are nuisances are:

• Mice
•  Rats
• Raccoons
• Opossums
• Birds

Since other pests may be to blame for the damage that critters cause around your home, make sure that the vermin you are dealing with is a squirrel. You may find once you have removed one menace that you might have another.

Prevent and Remove Squirrels from Making a Home in Your Attic

Pest control isn’t just for when you have squirrels in your attic. Your local pest control professional has solutions to prevent critters from invading your home. It might seem like a do-it-yourself project for you around your house, but you need to hire a professional when it comes to pest prevention and removal.

At Critter Stop, we have a specialized team that has patented a four-step process for squirrel removal and other infestations. Removal, sanitizations, and deterrent set-ups are the techniques that we use, with one essential process that keeps the squirrels from your home permanently.  

Do you hear a strange noise in your attic? It’s no ghost. You have squirrels or other pests. If vermin are making themselves at home in your attic, call us at (214) 234-2616 , and schedule an free appointment. We’ll stop the critters bugging you.