Squirrel Removal

It is not recommended to remove squirrels on your own. Squirrels can be aggressive and carry diseases. In addition, some methods of removal may be illegal or inhumane. It is best to hire a professional squirrel removal service to safely and effectively remove squirrels from your property.

Signs of squirrels in your attic include scratching or scurrying noises, droppings, and damage to insulation or wiring. You may also see squirrels entering or exiting your home through small openings or gaps.

Professionals use humane and effective methods to remove squirrels, such as one-way doors, live traps, and exclusion techniques. They will also identify and seal entry points to prevent future squirrel infestations.

To keep squirrels from returning, it is important to seal all entry points and trim tree branches that may provide access to your home. You can also use squirrel-proof bird feeders and remove any potential food sources, such as fallen fruit or nuts. When it isn't a large, plentiful oak tree, a bird feeder is often the culprit. "Bird seed" might as well be called "squirrel bait" - except it attracts basically ALL wild animals, not just the innocent-looking, relatively smaller squirrels with bushy tails. Removing a bird feeder can help prevent many animals, including opossums, raccoons, and rats.

The cost of squirrel removal varies depending on a range of factors, including the severity of the infestation, the size of the house, and the home or commercial building's building materials. A wildlife specialist can usually provide an exact estimate and scope of work. For homeowners living in Dallas - Fort Worth, Critter Stop offers free inspections and estimates!

Whether you have new squirrels in your neighborhood or you have had had a persistent squirrel problem for years, squirrel trapping is rarely the solution. Most squirrels are incredibly intelligent and know to avoid both one door traps and two door traps. Believe it or not, their natural habitats do not include a shiny metal live trap with perfectly placed sunflower seeds on a metal flat surface (the "trigger plate"). If you do place traps, it is recommended to do it close to where they gain access to the attic or crawl spaces - checking the trap at least once a day. Out in the yard, they will have plenty of other nuts to choose from that aren't in a suspicious looking trap. While live trapping can sometimes work, we generally do not recommend it due to the relative low odds of success. Before you try to catch a squirrel in your own trap, it is important you know your local and state laws regarding relocation. Oh yeah - and if you catch one, always wear gloves!

Squirrel repellent is one of the least effective squirrel control methods. Most repellents wash away or wash off in the first rain application, and squirrels tend to ignore it anyway. Squirrels are very intelligent creatures. Trying to repel squirrels with safe, humane methods can be an easy and harmless first step to remove unwanted squirrels. Just be careful of what you read online - it is important that any repellents used simply repels squirrels. While it is fine to discourage squirrels on your property, it is not ok to create a makeshift squirrel poison.

If you find a squirrels' nest in your attic that has babies, you find what you suspect to be nesting material, or you otherwise believe there is a mother squirrel inside your home, it is important that you handle it in a manner that does not put the baby squirrels at risk. While every squirrel control situation is unique, if you want to get rid of squirrels with babies, it becomes too nuanced to advise on without assessing the specific situation. Humane removal - ensuring there is not a single animal trapped inside - should remain the top priority.

There are several different squirrel species across the United States. In total, there are ~600 million squirrels in the U.S. compared to ~332 million humans, or a ratio of ~1.8x! While there are many species of what are called "ground squirrels" across the U.S., which include groundhogs, chipmunks, prairie dogs, marmots, and rock squirrels, most people think of what are called "tree squirrels" when they think of the traditional "squirrel." The vast majority of squirrels in Texas are either fox squirrels, eastern gray squirrels, or flying squirrels. Flying squirrels and eastern gray squirrels live primarily in far East Texas, where it is more wooded. Other squirrels in the U.S. include red squirrels, which live further north, and the western gray squirrel, which lives in the northwest.