As homeowners, we all know how much of a pain it can be to have squirrels invade our homes or gardens. These cute creatures may seem harmless, but they can cause significant damage to your property and even transmit diseases. Squirrels, with their exceptional agility and ability to effortlessly climb trees and walls, pose a formidable challenge when it comes to catching or deterring them.

If you’re wondering how to effectively get rid of squirrels, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll delve into some highly effective and practical ways to keep squirrels out of your yard and protect your home from their mischievous antics. So, let’s dive in and explore the most reliable methods to safeguard your property and restore peace to your surroundings.

How To Get Rid Of Squirrels?

Squirrels can be quite a nuisance when they invade your home or garden. They have a knack for chewing on wires, raiding bird feeders, and even digging up your precious plants. But fret not, because there are humane and effective ways to tackle this issue.

Let’s explore some tried-and-tested methods that will help you bid farewell to those pesky squirrels once and for all!

Seal any entry points

The first step in preventing squirrel infestation is to thoroughly inspect your home for potential entry points. Take the time to carefully examine every nook and cranny, as these agile creatures can squeeze through holes as small as 2 inches in diameter. Be particularly vigilant when inspecting the roof, chimney, gutters, attic, and basement, as these areas are common entry points for squirrels.

To effectively seal off these entry points, you have several options available. One method is to use caulk, which can be applied to fill in any gaps or cracks. Another option is to utilize wire mesh, which can be placed over larger openings to prevent squirrels from gaining access. Additionally, steel wool can be an effective deterrent, as squirrels are unable to chew through it.

In addition to securing your home, if you have a garden, it is important to take measures to keep squirrels out. Installing fencing around your garden can help deter these furry intruders and protect your plants from being nibbled on.

Use repellents

There are various kinds of repellents that you can use to deter squirrels. One common strategy is to use strong smells that squirrels dislike, such as peppermint oil, garlic, or vinegar. These scents can be sprayed around your home or garden to create a scent barrier that squirrels won’t cross. Another option is to install motion-activated sprinklers or lights that startle squirrels and prompt them to flee.

Additionally, you can try placing mothballs or predator urine around your property; however, it’s important to note that these methods are not always effective and may pose harm to the environment. Therefore, considering alternative eco-friendly approaches is recommended.

Use squirrel traps

If you are facing a persistent squirrel problem in your area, you may find it necessary to resort to trapping them. There are various types of squirrel traps available to address this issue, ranging from simple homemade contraptions to more advanced commercial ones. However, the most humane and effective method is the use of live traps, which safely capture squirrels without causing them any harm.

Once you have successfully caught a squirrel, it is important to consider the proper release of the animal. Releasing them in a nearby forest or park, away from residential areas, ensures that they can continue their natural habitat without causing any further disturbances.

However, before using any traps, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations regarding trapping wildlife in your area. Some places may require obtaining a permit or have specific restrictions in place to ensure the ethical treatment and conservation of wildlife. By adhering to these guidelines, you can address the squirrel problem responsibly and in compliance with the law.

Install barriers

Another effective method to deter squirrels from gaining access to your home or garden is by implementing physical barriers. One approach is to install metal flashing securely around the base of trees or poles, creating an obstacle that prevents squirrels from scaling upwards. Additionally, you can safeguard your plants or bird feeders by incorporating netting, effectively thwarting squirrels’ attempts to reach them.

If you have a chimney, it is highly recommended to consider the installation of a chimney cap to effectively prevent squirrels from entering and potentially nesting inside. By implementing these measures, you can ensure the protection of your property and maintain a squirrel-free environment.

Seek professional help

When all other attempts prove futile, it might be the right moment to reach out to a professional wildlife removal service. These specialized services excel in safely and humanely removing squirrels and other wildlife from residential and commercial properties.

Not only can they efficiently eliminate the existing infestation, but they can also provide invaluable guidance on preventing future squirrel invasions and ensuring the security of your property for the long haul.

Conclusion

Getting rid of squirrels can be challenging, but it’s essential to protect your home and garden from their destructive behaviour. By using a combination of the strategies listed above, you can discourage squirrels from invading your property and keep them at bay. Remember to always approach wildlife removal with care and respect for the animals and seek professional help if needed.

Here are some additional tips for getting rid of squirrels:

• Make noise in your attic or garage to discourage squirrels from making nests there.
• Use a scarecrow or other motion-activated device to startle squirrels and keep them away.
• Plant squirrel-resistant plants in your garden.

With a little effort, you can get rid of squirrels and keep them from coming back.

FAQs

What are some common entry points that squirrels use to get into homes?

Squirrels are small animals that can squeeze through openings as small as 2 inches wide. They can also climb trees and other structures to gain access to homes.

Squirrels commonly enter homes through holes in roofs, attics, chimneys, gutters, and basements. They can squeeze through openings as small as 2 inches wide. If you have an older home with wooden siding or a garage with wood siding, it’s likely that there are many holes where squirrels could gain access to your home.

If you have a pet door or a hole in your house’s foundation, it’s possible that you have squirrels living in your walls. They may be living inside insulation or behind electrical components such as wires and outlets in the walls of your home. It’s also possible that squirrels are nesting inside your house if you see them running around inside during the day or hear noises coming from behind a wall late at night.

What types of damage can squirrels cause if they invade a home?

Squirrels can cause damage by chewing on electrical wires, insulation, and wood. They also dig up gardens, eat plants, and raid bird feeders. Their droppings and nesting materials can also cause unsanitary conditions in homes.

Squirrels are also known to chew on the insulation around AC units and water pipes, which can lead to leaks or even fire hazards. They may even chew through electrical wiring or plastic pipes that carry hot water.

In addition to causing structural damage, squirrels can also contaminate food with their faeces and urine. This is especially dangerous when they start digging up your garden or eating your stored nuts and berries in your pantry!

What are some humane, eco-friendly squirrel repellents that can be used?

Garlic and other spices. The smell of garlic can repel squirrels, as well as other pests such as cats and rats. If you’re trying this method, make sure you get some fresh garlic rather than just using dried cloves from your spice rack. You can also try hanging a clove of garlic in each corner of your yard or garden area to keep squirrels away from those areas entirely.

Peppermint oil. Another option is peppermint oil — which has been shown to have a similar effect on rats as it does on humans: They don’t like it! You’ll need an eye dropper or spray bottle to apply this solution, which is available at most hardware stores and garden centres in liquid form or concentrate form (which is more potent).

What safety precautions should be taken when using squirrel traps?

Squirrels are cute and fun to watch, but they can be a nuisance if they’re getting into your bird feeders or chewing through your home’s exterior. If you’re having trouble with squirrels in your yard, consider using a squirrel trap to catch them and release them safely away from your property.

Live-catch traps are humane devices that allow you to capture squirrels without harming them. This is the best option for homeowners who don’t want to kill their furry visitors. However, it’s important to use live-catch traps correctly in order to prevent injury or death to yourself or other animals.

Use humane live traps and check them frequently. Release the squirrels safely away from residential areas like a park or forest. Follow all local wildlife trapping laws and regulations.

What should be done after trapping a squirrel to ensure its safe release?

The first thing you should do is to check that the squirrel is not sick or injured. If it is not, then you will need to check its weight. If the squirrel weighs very little, then it is probably a juvenile and should be released with its mother.

To release an adult squirrel, find an area where there are no houses or roads nearby, and release it in a suitable habitat that is away from human activity.

Squirrels are very territorial animals, so if you capture one in your backyard, it may try to return to its home range. To help prevent this from happening, you can place a marker near where the squirrel was trapped. The marker should include some food that smells like humans (such as peanut butter or chocolate) and should be placed at least 100 yards from where the trap was set up.

What types of barriers can prevent squirrels from climbing on homes and gardens?

Squirrels are very agile creatures and can climb almost anything. They are also quite strong and can jump far distances. The most effective way to prevent squirrels from climbing on a home or garden is to use metal flashing around trees/poles, netting over plants/feeders, and chimney caps. Fencing around gardens also deters them from entering the area.

Squirrels have an incredible ability to scale vertical surfaces, but if you have an overhead obstacle like a roof or fence post that could be used as a handhold by a squirrel, you can prevent it from climbing by using metal flashing. This material is typically made of galvanized steel and comes in rolls that can be cut to whatever length you need. You simply wrap it around your tree or pole so that its sharp edges stick out in all directions at 90-degree angles from the trunk of your tree. This makes it impossible for squirrels to grab onto anything with their claws since they won’t be able to get a grip on any part of the flashing itself.

Another option for preventing squirrels from climbing is to use netting over areas where you don’t want them entering your yard or garden such as bird feeders or vegetable patches.

How can chimneys be protected from squirrel entry and nesting?

Squirrels are among the most common animals to enter chimneys, and they can cause a lot of damage. They love the warmth that chimneys provide, and they use them as nesting sites. The smell of smoke from your fireplace can attract squirrels to your home.

The best way to keep squirrels out of your chimney is to install a chimney cap. Chimney caps are made of either metal or plastic, and they fit over the top of your flue to prevent squirrels from entering through it. They also help prevent rainwater from entering your chimney during storms.

Chimney caps come in many different sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits your flue perfectly. It’s important that you choose one that will fit snugly over your flue opening so that it stays in place while protecting against intruders like squirrels or birds trying to get inside your home through your chimney.

When is it recommended to call professional wildlife removal services for help with squirrels?

Call professional wildlife removal services if humane DIY methods fail to get rid of squirrels. Professionals can eliminate infestations and give guidance to prevent future invasions.

The best time to call a professional is when you have an immediate problem. If you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation, for example, you should call someone immediately because these pests can cause significant damage in a short time. It’s also a good idea to contact experts if you have any doubts about your ability to handle the situation safely on your own.

If you want advice about how to deal with an infestation or just want some help deciding whether or not it’s safe for you to take action yourself, we recommend getting in touch with professionals before attempting DIY options.

What are some additional deterrents like noises and motion-activated devices?

Make noise in the attic – You can make noises like stomping on the floor or throwing things around inside the attic. This will scare off any squirrels that might be nesting there — especially females with young who are less likely to leave their young alone while they search for food.

Use scarecrows – Scarecrows can help keep away unwanted animals such as squirrels from your yard or garden by scaring them away with movement or noise when they get too close to your property.

What kinds of squirrel-resistant plants can be grown in gardens?

Daffodils, lavender, peonies, oak leaf hydrangea, and juniper are plants that squirrels tend to avoid and can be grown in gardens.

Coneflowers: These flowers are often considered invasive by some people because they spread quickly by seed and root shoots. However, they work great as a border plant or in the middle of a garden bed. They also attract bees and butterflies.

Lavender: This herb is known for its medicinal properties as well as its fragrance. It has purple blooms that attract butterflies and bees from all over your garden, so it’s a great addition to any space!

Juniper: This shrub has blue berries that hang down from its branches like Christmas ornaments – only they don’t smell like pine or spruce trees! The berries are poisonous to animals if eaten raw, but can be used in cooking when dried out properly.