Helpful Hints for Getting Rid of Squirrels in the Attic
A large annoyance for many homeowners is the occasional nest of squirrels in the attic. Although squirrels are typically happy making their homes in trees, they will from time to time set up shop in inconvenient locations such as attics or sheds. If you have an issue with squirrels in the attic, these tips may prove to be very helpful to you in getting rid of them in a humane, non-fatal way.
Notes Before Beginning
Although the noise can be annoying to many people, you should know that the likelihood of damage resulting from squirrels in the attic is slim to none. That being said, if a family of squirrels has taken up shop in your attic during the cold summer months you should know that they will likely leave as soon as the weather heats up since the attic will get too hot for them.
Additionally, the following tips are designed to help you get rid of adult squirrels only. If baby squirrels are involved you should wait until they are grown enough that they can wander about on their own and survive the forced eviction. Remember: they’re not like an infestation of rats or insects; they’re not hurting anything and should qualify for a decent amount of consideration and respect.
Squirrel Repellant
One of the best ways to ensure a squirrel-free attic is to make it unattractive to the squirrels from the start. While this may not get rid of an already present family, it will help to ensure that they do not return.
Homemade pepper repellant is an excellent way to do this. Chop up a jalapeño and a yellow onion and mix them with a tablespoon of cayenne pepper. Boil this noxious concoction with approximately 2 quarts of water, strain it, and put the liquid in a spray bottle. You can then spray the repellant on any areas that you don’t want critters. It’s incredibly effective for a variety of creatures, including some bugs. The spray won’t last forever, unfortunately, so you should re-spray every 5 days or so.
Block It Up
Before you can evict the pests and prevent them from returning, you need to determine how they got in to begin with. Start with the usual areas such as attic vents and creases in the roofing. Also be on the lookout for any obvious holes. Remember: squirrels are crafty, so the entry hole may be a lot smaller than you’d think. If you can’t find anything obvious, go into your attic and turn off any lights you may have. Sunlight shining in is a tell-tale sign of a convenient entry for many creatures, not just squirrels.
Before blocking it, make sure the squirrels are gone first; blocking them in will kill them in a horribly inhumane manner. Squirrels usually leave the attic mid to late morning to go feed and forage. Once you’ve established that they are gone, use a strong hardware cloth to block the entry hole. You will need to cut the cloth (unless you want a lot of extra dangling cloth) to fit around the hole and then place it with a strong staple gun.
Necessity is the mother of invention however, so you can also block it with supplies you have around your house. Remember to use the repellant spray after it is blocked to dissuade them from returning.
If you inadvertently trap a squirrel, it needs to be safely trapped and relocated outside near your house. While it is possible to do this yourself, it is recommended that you call a pest specialist or animal control to help you out as they are specially trained to handle the animal without causing it any harm.