Tel: 905.425.0589
Squirrels in the Attic? Here's How to Remove Them
Squirrels love attics: they offer a warm, dry place to live safe from predators — a perfect place to build a nest a raise young. However, having a squirrel in the attic can be dangerous for your family as the animals often chew wires, sometimes right down to the copper. Although it can be difficult to get rid of a squirrel in the attic, the following techniques are often successful.
1. Trapping
The best way to ensure the squirrel in the attic is gone for good is to use a trap. One way to catch squirrels is to place a cage below the hole they use to enter and exit your attic. A repeating-type trap will allow you to catch all the squirrels at once.
A second option is to hide the cage somewhere within the attic. Place food, such as peanuts, bread crusts, or apple slices, deep within the cage to entice squirrels inside.
Whatever option you choice, you will then need to release the squirrels, along with their babies, if you find any. If allowed by local law, relocate the squirrels at least 15 kilometres away from your home to reduce the likelihood that they will return.
Keep cages installed for up to one week after your release the first squirrels you find. There may be another squirrel in the attic that you also need to catch.
2. Exclusion
A good alternative to trapping is exclusion, which you can achieve with a one-way door that allows squirrels to leave the attic but not re-enter. However, this method will be ineffective if the squirrels have more than one entrance. Furthermore, if your home has wood trim, squirrels may cause significant damage trying to get back in.
3. Repellents
There are several types of repellents that can drive squirrels out of your home, although most tend to be less effective than trapping. Here are a few that are scientifically proven to work:
Voices: For squirrels that are unused to being around people, playing a radio tuned to a talk station can be unnerving. The radio does not need to be at high volume; it should just loud enough that squirrels constantly hear human voices.
Ultrasonic repellents: Transmitting a high-decibel sound that only small animals can hear can be unbearable for a squirrel in your attic, particularly one that has only just moved in to your home. Those who have been around longer are more likely to learn to cope with the noise. However, this may be an unsuitable option if you have pets as they may also be disturbed by the noise.
Lights: Keeping lights on may scare away a squirrel in the attic who is unaccustomed to people. If this fails, try a pulsating strobe light.
Commercial repellents: Sprays are usually made from fox urine, a non-toxic substance that can cause a squirrel in the attic to feel unsafe in its new home.
After using any of the above repellents, if you notice that the squirrel in the attic leaves, you should search thoroughly to ensure it has left no nest behind. Trap any babies and take them outside.
Trapping, releasing, or removing a squirrel in the attic yourself can be challenging. A better option may be to hire a professional pest control service. At Affordable Pest Control, we can humanely trap and remove squirrels, taking measures to ensure that they do not return. If you have a squirrel in the attic, contact us for a free quote or call 905-425-0589 to speak to a pest control specialist today!