Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:54 pm
There are several methods for removing squirrels in the attic, some of which are more effective than others. Some people advocate repellents such as noise, smell, and light. More commonly, however, people use various types of cages to trap and remove squirrels. Removing squirrels from attics can be a tricky problem, and sometimes it’s best left to a professional.
Warm, cozy attics can be attractive nesting sites for squirrels, especially for female squirrels looking for a place to raise their babies. Unfortunately, squirrels not only leave behind an unsanitary mess, but they can also do a lot of damage. If a person suspects that squirrels have moved in, there are certain tips they should follow for effective squirrel removal in the attic.
Many people advocate the use of various repellents to convince squirrels to leave on their own. Squirrels want to nest in a safe environment and generally cannot tolerate noises, lights or smells that indicate a predator is on the loose. A radio connected to an intercom is a good source of unpleasant sounds and can be an effective repellent. Likewise, placing a bright light in the attic is another way to make the area less attractive.
To further disrupt a squirrel’s sense of security, people often leave rags soaked in ammonia in the attic. The ammonia mimics the smell of predator urine, and squirrels might leave rather than risk becoming another creature’s dinner. There are also several commercial items on the market designed to repel squirrels that use methods such as high-pitched sounds or strobe lights to get squirrels to leave. Some people find these products helpful, while others do not. In most cases, most people will try home remedies first before spending money on commercial products.
If repellents don’t work, trapping squirrels is often a good way to get rid of them. The most effective traps include single-animal cages, multi-animal traps and one-way exclusion doors. With the single animal cage, the squirrel is lured with bait and a trap door mechanism is triggered once the animal enters. The disadvantage of this method is that a person who has more than one squirrel in the attic may have to use multiple cages to trap them all or the same cage multiple times.
If a person has more than one squirrel in the attic, cages for multiple animals may be a better choice. People generally place these traps in a location where the squirrels will enter and exit. All other possible entrances and exits must be blocked off so the squirrels have no choice but to enter the cage, thinking it is the only way in or out. Once inside, the animals cannot get out and can then be safely relocated to an area outside the home.
One of the best solutions for squirrel removal in the attic is the one-way exclusion door. As with the multiple squirrel cage, one person must first block off all possible entrances and exits to the attic, leaving only one way open. The exclusion door allows the squirrels to leave the attic, but not come back in. Thus, the squirrel problem is solved without having to relocate the animal.
If a person believes a squirrel has a nest of young in the attic, it is best to wait until the baby squirrels are old enough to care for themselves before attempting to remove it. Once the young squirrels are mobile, they too will find their way into the traps or through the exclusion door. Otherwise, if the mother squirrel is removed, the babies will die in the nest, which is not only inhumane, but also leaves a terrible smell.
It should be noted that there are no squirrel poisons on the market and poisoning squirrels is never a good option for removing squirrels in the attic. Again, not only is it inhumane, but the squirrels will likely crawl into inaccessible spaces to die, leaving behind incredibly unpleasant odors. Finally, it is always best to call a professional if a person has concerns about using any of these methods or if these methods do not provide results. There are many individuals who specialize in attic squirrel removal and can get the job done quickly and effectively.