Squirrels chew wires, raid birdfeeders, and build nests in attics. If you’re dealing with them, you probably want the quickest, safest fix—and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Professionals, humane wildlife trappers, and even confident DIYers can kick squirrels out of your home and stop them from coming back.
This post will help you figure out which option actually fits your situation. You’ll see how common methods work and what simple steps can prevent new infestations.
You’ll also get a sense of when to call a pro and what you can do yourself to protect your yard and home.
How to Get Rid of Squirrels: Methods and Solutions
You can stop most squirrel problems by cutting off food sources, blocking access, and using the right deterrents.
Pick methods that match your goals—maybe you want to protect your plants, keep them out of your attic, or move them humanely.
DIY Squirrel Removal Techniques
Start by removing easy food attractants. Pick up fallen fruit, secure your garbage, and swap out bird feeder seed for safflower or nyjer.
Move feeders at least 7 feet from places squirrels can jump from, and use pole baffles placed 5–6 feet high to block their path.
Seal holes the size of a golf ball or larger around eaves, vents, and soffits with 1/2-inch hardware cloth or metal flashing. Make sure animals have left before you seal anything—use one-way exclusion devices if you’re not sure.
Try motion-activated sprinklers or just spray squirrels with a hose to train them away from gardens. Reapply scent repellents like diluted cayenne or peppermint spray after it rains.
These steps cut down on attractants and usually reduce squirrel visits pretty fast.
Hiring Professional Wildlife Control Services
If squirrels have moved into your attic, call a licensed wildlife control pro who understands local laws.
Pros will inspect your roofline, find entry points, and use humane exclusions or trapping if it’s allowed.
Ask about the company’s license, insurance, and their methods. Good crews use one-way doors, chimney caps, and tough materials like steel mesh to keep squirrels out.
They’ll clean nests and contaminated insulation, but expect that as an extra service, not standard.
Get a written estimate, ask how they prevent future problems, and be sure to clarify whether they relocate animals or use local release protocols.
Humane Squirrel Removal Options
Whenever possible, go with nonlethal options. One-way exclusion doors let adult squirrels exit but block them from getting back in—just make sure no babies are stuck inside.
Live traps followed by release work in some areas, but a lot of states or cities restrict relocation, so check the rules first.
You can set up an alternative feeding area away from your house to lure squirrels out while you seal entry points.
Use timed deterrents—motion sprinklers, pet-safe ultrasonic devices, and strong-smelling repellents like peppermint or predator-urine sprays—to nudge them along.
Skip poisons and glue traps; they’re cruel and can hurt pets. Stick to humane methods that reduce stress and follow local wildlife laws.
Squirrel Control Tools and Products
You’ll need hardware cloth (1/2-inch), metal flashing, one-way exclusion doors, live-catch cage traps, and pole baffles for feeders.
Go for stainless steel or galvanized mesh around vents and soffits if you want something that lasts.
For repellents, try cayenne-based sprays, peppermint oil blends, or commercial predator-urine products. Reapply after rain and always follow label directions.
Squirrel-proof feeders and seed blends like safflower or nyjer keep bird food safe.
Motion-activated devices—sprinklers, lights, or ultrasonic repellers—work short-term. Combine these tools: seal entry points, use baffles, and add repellents for the best shot at keeping squirrels out.
Identifying and Preventing Squirrel Infestations
You can spot a squirrel problem early by listening for odd noises, checking for chewed spots, and scanning the outside of your home for entry holes.
Act quickly and seal openings to keep babies, adults, and different squirrel types from settling in your attic or walls.
Common Signs of a Squirrel Infestation
Listen at dawn and dusk for scampering, scratching, or thumping in the attic or inside your walls.
Squirrels are most active in the morning and late afternoon, so noises then usually mean they’re inside.
Look for small, rounded droppings in attics or crawlspaces; these are bigger and rounder than mouse droppings.
Check insulation for torn or pushed-aside spots, and look for chewed wiring, vents, soffits, or fascia.
Outside, keep an eye out for stripped bark, dug-up bulbs, and missing bird feeder seed.
Visual signs include nests made of leaves and twigs in trees, vents, or roof cavities.
If you spot grease marks or tracks along rafters and around entry holes, that usually means squirrels have made regular travel paths.
Take photos of the damage and write down when you hear noises—this will help a pro figure out what’s going on.
Understanding Different Squirrel Species
Gray squirrels and fox squirrels are common and often use attics for shelter.
Gray squirrels show up as medium-gray with bushy tails. Fox squirrels are bigger and often have reddish or orange fur.
Both types chew to keep their teeth worn down and will gnaw through wood, plastic, and even light metals.
Flying squirrels are smaller, nocturnal, and quieter than gray and fox squirrels. You might not see them, but you’ll hear nighttime activity and find nests in soffits or attics.
Red squirrels are smaller and usually stick to the outdoors, but they’ll still raid bird feeders and gardens.
Baby squirrels usually show up in spring and summer. If you hear high-pitched squeaks or find a big nest with several young, don’t seal exits until the babies can leave or a professional can remove them safely.
Knowing which species you’re dealing with helps you pick the right exclusion methods and follow the right legal steps.
Steps to Prevent Squirrels from Returning
Seal up any holes larger than a quarter inch using heavy-gauge hardware cloth or steel mesh. Squirrels will chew through softer stuff, so don’t bother with that.
Zero in on soffits, roofline gaps, vents, and those tricky gaps around roof flashing. If you’ve got squirrels inside already, put up one-way exclusion doors first—then fix those openings for good.
Get rid of things that draw squirrels in. Lock down your trash, switch to squirrel-proof bird feeders, clear out fallen fruit, and keep pet food inside.
Cut back tree branches so they’re at least 6–8 feet from the roof. That way, squirrels can’t just leap onto your house. You might want to try motion-activated sprinklers or fake predators, but move them around now and then. Otherwise, squirrels just get used to them.
Take a look around once a year and after storms. Replace any busted mesh and keep an eye out for fresh chew marks.
If you keep seeing damage or nests, it’s probably time to call a licensed wildlife removal service. They can handle trapping, removal, and sealing things up. For more tips on removal and repairs, check out a professional wildlife resource like Orkin’s guide on how to identify and get rid of squirrels.
