Squirrels are fun and cute to watch, but only if they haven’t taken up residence in your home.
Many problems ensue when squirrels find a place to nest in your attic, and most people need help to remove them.
Why should you get squirrels out of your attic?
For a start, their strong teeth can chew and gnaw their way through wires and insulation material in your home. This will eventually mean forking out repair costs in addition to hiring an expert to remove them.
They also transmit disease; therefore, they don’t make great housemates. Lastly, they bite, so be careful not to get too close.
How Can I Get Squirrels Out Of The Attic?
1) Find entry points
First, identify where they might be gaining entry. Search for holes, cracks, crevices, and broken screens.
2) Seal all entry points
Once all potential entry points are discovered, decide how to seal them so they can’t come back in. For example, chimney tops should be covered with wire mesh and larger gaps should be filled with concrete or bricks. You can use caulk to seal other minor cracks elsewhere.
3) Leave an entry point for them to escape
Before sealing off all entry points, consider how the squirrels already nesting there will escape. Use the largest entry point you think the squirrels are aware of so they can make their exit. The last thing you want is a dead squirrel in your attic.
A clever tactic is to use newspaper sparingly over the gap so you can see whether the squirrel has used the entry point for its exit.
4) Make their space inhospitable
Squirrels hate loud noises and bright lights, so use this tactic to force them out. If this doesn’t work after a few days, consider calling a pest control expert who’ll provide more suggestions or remove them with other methods.
5) Call a professional pest controller
You may have already removed one or two squirrels; however, it’s hard to tell if they’re all gone. So it’s a good idea to have a professional inspect your home to ensure every squirrel has left. Don’t get too close by yourself; squirrels become violent when threatened. A professional will have all the right gear to protect themselves so they don’t have to get injured unnecessarily.
Finally, take your time to seal those entry points. Adult squirrels often leave in search of food for their young, and if they can’t get back in, the baby squirrels will die. This will also cause your attic to smell very bad, so always call an expert to ensure your remove squirrels safely and with care for the animals.