If you’ve ever heard scratching or scurrying sounds coming from your attic, there’s a good chance you’ve got squirrels up there. They might seem cute when you see them outside, but inside your home, they’re a problem. Squirrels can cause a lot of damage, from chewing on your insulation to gnawing on electrical wires. But getting rid of them isn’t as simple as you might think. You need to do it properly, safely, and humanely. This guide will walk you through how to do just that.

How Do Squirrels Get Into Your Attic?

Squirrels are natural climbers. They’re agile, quick, and persistent. If they see an opportunity to get inside your attic, they’ll take it. Here’s how they usually get in:

• Roof Gaps: Squirrels can squeeze through even the smallest gaps between roof tiles or around vents.
• Damaged Soffits or Fascia: If your roofline has any damaged areas, squirrels can chew their way in.
• Chimneys: An uncapped chimney is basically an open door for them.
• Overhanging Branches: If you have trees close to your home, squirrels can jump from the branches onto your roof.

Once they’re in, they can quickly make themselves at home, building nests and even having babies. That’s why it’s important to deal with the problem as soon as you notice it.

How Can You Tell If You Have Squirrels in the Attic?

Sometimes, it’s obvious. You hear the scratching and running sounds above your ceiling, and you know you’ve got a problem. But other times, it’s not so clear. Here are some signs that might mean you’ve got squirrels in your attic:

• Noises: Scratching, scampering, or gnawing sounds, especially early in the morning or late in the evening.
• Droppings: Squirrel droppings are small, dark, and oval-shaped. You might find them in corners or around nesting areas.
• Chewed Wires or Wood: Squirrels need to chew constantly to keep their teeth sharp, so you might notice gnaw marks.
• Nests: Squirrels build nests using shredded insulation, leaves, or other soft materials.
• Damage to Insulation: They love to dig through and nest in insulation.

If you’re not sure, you can take a look during the day. Carefully check your attic for any signs of movement or nesting.

Is It Dangerous to Have Squirrels in the Attic?

Yes, it can be. Squirrels might look harmless, but they can cause serious problems in your home:

• Fire Hazard: Squirrels chew on wires. If they strip the insulation, it can cause a short circuit, which is a serious fire risk.
• Damage to Insulation: They dig through insulation, which can reduce its effectiveness and lead to higher energy bills.
• Structural Damage: Squirrels can chew through wooden beams, roof supports, and even plastic pipes.
• Health Risks: Their droppings can carry diseases, and their nests can attract parasites.

So even though they’re small, squirrels can cause big problems. That’s why it’s so important to get rid of them quickly and safely.

How Do You Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic?

Getting rid of squirrels in your attic takes a careful approach. You need to make sure you do it in a way that’s safe, humane, and effective. Here’s how you can do it:

Find Out How They’re Getting In

Your first step is to figure out how the squirrels are getting into your attic. Take a close look at your roofline, vents, and any gaps around the edges. Look for:

• Holes or gaps in the soffits or fascia.
• Damaged roof tiles or flashing.
• Uncapped chimneys.

If you can’t spot the entry point from the outside, you might need to look from inside the attic. But be careful – if the squirrels are still there, they might get aggressive.

Make Sure You’re Not Trapping Babies

If you’re dealing with squirrels in the spring or summer, there’s a chance they’ve built a nest in your attic. That means there could be baby squirrels. If you trap or block the adult squirrels without removing the babies, they’ll die in your attic, which leads to an even bigger problem.

Listen carefully for the sound of baby squirrels. If you’re not sure, you might want to call a professional to help.

Use a One-Way Exclusion Door

One of the most humane ways to get rid of squirrels is to use a one-way exclusion door. This is a special door that lets the squirrels leave your attic but doesn’t let them back in. You can buy these online or from pest control suppliers.

To use one:

1. Install the door over the main entry point you’ve found.
2. Wait a few days. The squirrels will leave but won’t be able to come back.
3. Once you’re sure they’re all gone, you can remove the door and seal the entry point.

Seal Up Entry Points

Once you’re sure the squirrels are gone, it’s time to make sure they can’t come back. Seal up any gaps, holes, or damaged areas around your roof. Use durable materials like metal mesh, which squirrels can’t chew through.

• Repair any damaged soffits or fascia.
• Cap your chimney with a secure mesh cap.
• Trim back any tree branches that are close to your roof.

Clean and Disinfect Your Attic

Squirrels leave behind a mess. Their droppings can carry diseases, and their nests can attract other pests. So once they’re gone, give your attic a good clean. Wear gloves and a mask, and use a strong disinfectant.

What If You Can’t Get Rid of Them Yourself?

If you’ve tried everything and you’re still hearing scratching sounds in your attic, it might be time to call in a professional pest control service. They can safely and humanely remove the squirrels, make sure all the entry points are sealed, and give you advice on how to stop them from coming back.

How Can You Prevent Squirrels from Getting Back In?

Getting rid of the squirrels is one thing. Keeping them out is another. Here are some simple steps you can take to prevent them from getting back in:

• Regularly Inspect Your Roof: Look for any signs of damage or gaps that a squirrel could squeeze through.
• Keep Tree Branches Trimmed: Make sure there are no branches close to your roof.
• Install Chimney Caps: A secure chimney cap can stop squirrels from getting in.
• Use Metal Mesh for Vents: Make sure any vents or soffits are covered with strong metal mesh.
• Secure Your Bin Area: Squirrels are attracted to food, so make sure your bins are secure.

Can You Use Repellents to Keep Squirrels Away?

There are squirrel repellents you can buy, but they’re not always effective. Some people use things like:

• Peppermint Oil: The strong smell can deter them.
• Mothballs: The scent can be unpleasant for squirrels, but it’s also toxic to pets, so be careful.
• Ultrasonic Devices: These make a high-pitched sound that’s supposed to scare off pests.

But the truth is, the best way to keep squirrels out is to make sure they can’t get in.

Are There Any Legal Rules About Getting Rid of Squirrels?

In the UK, grey squirrels are considered an invasive species. That means you’re not allowed to release them back into the wild if you trap them. If you catch a grey squirrel, it must be humanely dispatched. But it’s always best to check the most up-to-date guidance from your local council or pest control service.

Final Thoughts

Having squirrels in your attic can be a real problem. They’re noisy, messy, and they can cause serious damage. But if you follow the steps in this guide, you can get rid of them safely and make sure they don’t come back.

Start by finding their entry points, use a humane exclusion method, and seal everything up properly. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, don’t hesitate to call in a professional. And remember – prevention is the best cure.