Finding a squirrel scampering through your living room is probably not on your list of ideal ways to start the day. These furry critters, while charming in the park, can quickly become unwelcome guests indoors. They can cause significant damage to your property by chewing through wires, insulation, and even furniture. Beyond the potential for destruction, squirrels can also carry diseases and parasites, posing a health risk to you and your family.
Getting a squirrel out of your house requires a calm and strategic approach. Panicking or attempting to chase it down is likely to make the situation worse, potentially leading to injury for both you and the squirrel. Understanding the best methods for safely and effectively removing the animal is crucial to resolving the situation humanely and preventing future infestations. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step process and helpful tips to restore peace to your home.
What are the most common squirrel entry points, and how can I encourage it to leave without getting hurt?
What's the safest way to get a squirrel out without hurting it?
The safest way to get a squirrel out of your house without harming it is to open all doors and windows leading to the outside, especially those closest to the squirrel, and then patiently wait for it to find its own way out. You can also try gently encouraging it with soft noises and by clearing a path for it.
To elaborate, squirrels are naturally inclined to escape enclosed spaces. Avoid cornering or chasing the squirrel, as this will only frighten it and make it less likely to cooperate. Instead, focus on creating an obvious and inviting exit route. Dimming the lights in the room where the squirrel is located and illuminating the path to the outside can also help guide it. Be patient; it may take some time for the squirrel to feel comfortable enough to leave. Avoid the temptation to intervene physically unless absolutely necessary, as this could result in bites or scratches. If the squirrel seems particularly disoriented or unable to find its way out, you might consider contacting a local wildlife removal service or animal control. These professionals have experience safely handling and relocating wild animals. They can also assess if the squirrel is injured or ill and provide appropriate care. Before they arrive, continue to provide the squirrel with a clear escape route and avoid further stressing it. Finally, once the squirrel is out, thoroughly inspect your home for entry points, such as holes in the roof, gaps around windows, or unsecured vents. Seal these openings promptly to prevent future intrusions.How do I lure a squirrel out of my house?
The most effective way to lure a squirrel out of your house involves creating a clear, enticing escape route and using the promise of food as motivation. Open all doors and windows leading to the outside, especially those nearest to the squirrel. Place a trail of nuts or seeds leading from where the squirrel is located, out the open exit.
To encourage the squirrel to leave, minimize your presence in the area. Squirrels are easily frightened and will be less likely to move if they feel threatened. Try to remain quiet and observe from a distance, allowing the squirrel to feel safe enough to explore the exit. The key is patience; it may take some time for the squirrel to discover the food trail and follow it to freedom. Avoid cornering or chasing the squirrel, as this will only cause panic and make it harder to guide it out. If the squirrel is hesitant to take the food trail, you can also try placing a live trap baited with nuts or seeds near its known location, but only as a last resort. Once trapped, release the squirrel far away from your home to prevent its return. Once the squirrel is out, carefully inspect your house for entry points and seal them to prevent future incursions. Squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, so pay close attention to any gaps or cracks in your foundation, siding, or roof.What should I do if the squirrel won't leave?
If a squirrel has taken up residence in your home and refuses to leave, your primary goal is to encourage its exit safely and humanely. Try a combination of tactics, starting with opening all doors and windows leading outside in the room where the squirrel is located. Remove any food sources, make the environment unappealing using loud noises or unpleasant smells, and maintain a safe distance, giving the squirrel space to find its own way out. If these approaches fail, trapping and relocation might be necessary, but consider seeking professional wildlife removal services before attempting this yourself.
While patience is key, prolonged exposure to a trapped squirrel can be stressful for both you and the animal. Start by isolating the squirrel to a single room, if possible, by closing doors to other areas of the house. Reduce visual barriers by opening curtains and blinds during daylight hours to encourage the squirrel to find an exit point. Loud noises, such as clapping, banging pots and pans, or turning on a radio to a talk radio station (human voices are often unsettling to squirrels), can startle it toward an open window or door. Introducing strong smells like vinegar or ammonia-soaked cotton balls may also deter it. If the squirrel remains inside for an extended period (over 24 hours) or seems injured, trapping becomes a more viable option. Humane traps can be baited with nuts or peanut butter. However, relocation must adhere to local regulations, as moving wildlife can spread disease or disrupt ecosystems. Furthermore, handling wildlife without proper protection can expose you to bites or diseases. Therefore, contacting a qualified wildlife removal specialist is generally the safest and most effective course of action, as they possess the expertise and equipment to safely capture and relocate the squirrel, as well as identify and seal the entry point to prevent future incursions.How can I prevent squirrels from entering my house again?
Once you've safely removed the squirrel, the most effective way to prevent future invasions is to thoroughly inspect your home's exterior and seal any potential entry points. This includes patching holes in siding, roofing, and foundation; reinforcing weakened areas; trimming tree branches that provide easy access; and installing squirrel-proof barriers around vulnerable areas like chimneys and vents.
Squirrels are persistent and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, sometimes as small as 1.5-2 inches in diameter. Therefore, a meticulous inspection is critical. Pay close attention to areas where different materials meet, such as where the roof meets the siding, or around pipes and wires entering the house. Use durable materials like metal flashing, hardware cloth (a sturdy wire mesh), or expanding foam to seal these gaps permanently. For larger holes, consider using a combination of materials, like stuffing the hole with steel wool and then covering it with metal sheeting to prevent the squirrel from chewing through. Beyond sealing entry points, consider habitat modification to make your property less attractive to squirrels. Regularly trim tree branches back at least 6-8 feet from your roofline to eliminate "squirrel highways." Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, and avoid leaving pet food or birdseed outside, as these can attract squirrels. You might also consider using squirrel-resistant bird feeders or choosing birdseed that squirrels don't prefer, such as safflower seeds. Remember that prevention is an ongoing effort, and periodic inspections are necessary to ensure that your home remains secure against future squirrel intrusions.Should I call animal control to remove a squirrel?
Calling animal control for a squirrel in your house depends on the situation. If the squirrel is injured, behaving aggressively, or if you are uncomfortable handling the removal process yourself, contacting animal control is a reasonable option. They can safely capture and relocate the animal or provide necessary care if it’s hurt. However, for a healthy, non-aggressive squirrel, attempting humane removal yourself is often quicker and more effective.
While animal control can assist, their response time might not be immediate, and they may prioritize other calls. Before contacting them, consider if you can safely contain the squirrel in a single room by closing doors. Then, open a window or exterior door in that room, allowing the squirrel a clear escape route. You can also try gently encouraging it towards the exit using noises or by placing food outside. Remember to wear gloves and long sleeves for protection, and avoid cornering the squirrel, as this could provoke it to bite or scratch. If you are persistent in your attempts to guide the squirrel out, but it is still not leaving or if you suspect an infestation, then calling a professional wildlife removal service might be a better alternative than animal control. These services specialize in safely and humanely removing wildlife from homes, identifying entry points, and implementing preventative measures to avoid future problems. They are equipped to handle potentially complex situations and ensure the squirrel doesn't return.What smells do squirrels hate that might drive it away?
Squirrels have a strong sense of smell, and certain scents can be highly offensive to them, effectively driving them away from your home. These include strong smells like peppermint oil, mothballs, ammonia, vinegar, garlic, and capsaicin (found in chili peppers).
Strong odors overwhelm a squirrel's sensitive olfactory system, making an area undesirable. Peppermint oil, for instance, is a readily available and relatively safe option. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where you suspect squirrels are frequenting, such as near entry points or in attics. Mothballs, while effective, should be used with caution due to their toxicity and potential health risks to humans and pets. Ammonia has a similarly strong odor that squirrels dislike; however, it also presents similar safety concerns. Capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers, is another potent repellent. You can sprinkle chili powder or create a spray by mixing chili flakes with water, but be careful when applying these solutions, as they can irritate the skin and eyes. Vinegar, too, is a safe option; simply spray undiluted vinegar in areas frequented by the squirrels. Remember that these scents will dissipate over time, particularly in well-ventilated areas, so you'll need to reapply them regularly to maintain their effectiveness. Bear in mind that while these smells might deter squirrels, they are not a guaranteed solution. Squirrels are adaptable and may eventually get used to the scents or find ways around them. Combining these scent-based repellents with other deterrent methods, such as physically blocking entry points, trimming tree branches that provide access to your roof, and removing food sources, will provide a more effective long-term solution to your squirrel problem.Is it dangerous to have a squirrel in my house?
Yes, it can be dangerous to have a squirrel in your house. Squirrels are wild animals that can carry diseases, bite or scratch if they feel threatened, and cause significant property damage by chewing on electrical wiring, insulation, and other structural components. Their presence can also attract other pests and contaminate food preparation areas with their droppings.
Squirrels trapped indoors can become extremely stressed and unpredictable. Their sharp teeth and claws are a defense mechanism, and they won't hesitate to use them if they feel cornered. Beyond the immediate risk of bites and scratches, squirrels can transmit diseases like leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and tularemia, though these are relatively rare. More commonly, their droppings can harbor bacteria and parasites that pose a health risk, especially to children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The longer a squirrel remains inside, the greater the potential for damage. Squirrels are rodents, and their teeth constantly grow. To keep them filed down, they gnaw on various materials. This can lead to significant structural damage, including chewed wires that create a fire hazard. They will also tear apart insulation for nesting material, costing you money in energy bills and repairs. Furthermore, a squirrel's urine and feces can create unpleasant odors and stains, requiring extensive cleaning and sanitation.Well, that's all, folks! Hopefully, these tips have helped you evict your furry little houseguest and restore peace (and sanity!) to your home. Thanks for reading, and good luck! Feel free to pop back anytime you have another critter conundrum - we're always here to lend a helping hand (or at least some helpful advice!).