How To Get Rid Of Squirrels in the Attic
Squirrels in attics can gnaw on boards and electrical wires, which is a problem. The most serious issues are usually caused by nesting mature females.
Nests are frequently built near openings, such as unscreened vents or loose or decaying trim boards.
Signs of a Squirrel Infestation
From your attic, crawl spaces, or ceiling, you hear scurrying, clawing, or chewing sounds.
Teeth marks in wires or wood, damage to air vents, or chewed electrical wires are visible.
You notice the traces of squirrels (the front paws have four toes, while the back paws have five).
Your walls and ceilings have water damage.
A terrible odor is coming from your vents (this could be from decaying squirrels that failed to escape your home).
Will Squirrels be Able to Escape the Attic by Themselves?
During the warmer sections of the day, squirrels will exit the attic. Attics heat up quickly and become unbearably hot in the summer.
More Noise Equals Cooler Temperatures During the cooler months, you may notice a lot more noise. The most typical noises are scurrying, scratching, and chewing.
For How Long are Squirrels Likely to Stay in the Attic?
They're up and about by four weeks, and by six weeks, they're nearly adult size, and by three months, they're very much adults. They normally stay in the attic until the mother is ready to give birth to her second litter of babies.
What Scents in the Attic Deter Squirrels?
Squirrels have a keen sense of smell, which they employ to locate food and shelter.
Capsaicin, white vinegar, peppermint oil, coffee grounds, cinnamon, predator urine, garlic, dryer sheets, Irish Spring Soap, and rosemary are all aromas that squirrels despise.
What You Need to Do if There Are Squirrels in Your Attic
Locate the Squirrel Nest
Look for a nest constructed of materials like cardboard, leaves, and insulation if you have a squirrel family in your attic. There are likely to be baby squirrels around if it's February through May or August through October.
It's preferable to wait a few weeks until the babies are mature enough to leave their mother in this scenario.
Find the Point of Entry
Examine the attic's interior thoroughly to locate the opening (s). If you can't get into the attic, look at the eaves, vents, and roofs from the outside.
Seal Openings in Your Attic
Squirrels can get into your attic through minor openings. Seal these access spots with wire or caulking once you've discovered them. Allow one opening for squirrels who are currently in your attic to exit.
Trap Squirrels Using a One-Way Cage Door
As for trapping the squirrels as they leave your attic, you can Install a one-way cage door outside the entry point you left.
Get Them Out
If you can't wait for the mother and her children to depart on their own, employ a specialist that specializes in reuniting mothers and their children.
If the nest is empty and there are no baby squirrels, you can try scaring the adult squirrels away. It could be as simple as pounding on the rafters or entering the attic and shouting.
You can also try leaving a bright light on in the attic, playing a radio continuously, or placing rags soaked in cider vinegar in the attic (squirrels dislike the smell).
You can also simply wait until all the squirrels have left, which normally happens during the day.
Keep Them Out
To deter squirrels from re-opening entry points into attics, we propose installing metal flashing. They will often try to get back in nonetheless, which can indicate that children are confined inside.
Prevent Squirrels from Returning
After the squirrels have been removed from your attic, there are a few things you can do to keep them from returning, including:
Trees near your roofline should be pruned.
In your bird feeder, switch out the food.
Use a plastic owl to scare squirrels.
Make use of a flavor deterrent, such as a combination of garlic, water, and vinegar, which can be used around the perimeter of your home to keep them out.
Use a motion-activated sprinkler system to keep squirrels away by spraying them whenever they get close to your yard.
Last Words…
Fortunately, there are a number of solutions that will keep squirrels at bay and under control. We hope that you found it useful and helpful how to get rid of squirrels in your attic.
