There are few things worse than being woken by noises in your attic.
The scrabbling sounds of pesky squirrels can be a nuisance when it comes to your beauty sleep, but they’re also a huge hazard for your home. Squirrels can wreak havoc with your electrical wiring, destroy possessions in your attic, and even chew their way into your walls. If you have a squirrel in the attic, it’s crucial to get it out as soon as possible.
Of course, that’s easier said than done. Without heading up to catch the animal yourself, how do you get rid of squirrels in the attic? Here are the steps to follow.
1. Get Rid of Local Attractions
Squirrels see your attic as a nice, warm place to live, but it’s especially tempting if you’ve left out things to attract them. Nearby bird feeders and unsecured garbage cans make squirrels more likely to want to make a home in your attic. Remove these to make the space less inviting.
Don’t forget to also take care of branches hanging over your roof, as these act as highways that allow squirrels (and worse pests) easy access to your home.
2. Seal Up All Entry Points but One
If a squirrel has already made a home in your attic, you’ll have to be crafty to get it out again. Walk around your home and, if possible, across your roof to seal up any possible entry points. This may include putting wire mesh over chimney tops or filling up any gaps in your walls.
Leave one entry point open for the squirrel to leave through. If you’re not sure the squirrel is sticking around, cover this entry point with a sheet of newspaper to tell. If the newspaper is chewed through, you’ll know your squirrel is still using your attic.
3. Make Your Attic Uninviting
Squirrels like peace and quiet, so try to be a bad neighbor. Play loud music or leave the lights on in your attic to make the space less inviting.
4. Set Up Traps
If you’ve tried other options, you’re probably wondering how to catch a squirrel in the attic by setting up a trap. Squirrel traps allow you to remove stubborn animals that won’t leave, and they’re easy to place anywhere you’ve noticed activity.
With a live-capture trap, you’ll still have to deal with transporting the squirrel far from your home, however, and with the careful release of the animal.
5. Keep Squirrels Out for Good
Once you’re confident your pest has been chased away or trapped, it’s time to take preventative measures to keep pests out of your home. Seal up any open entry points, use gutter guards, trim your trees, and call a pest management expert to take a closer look at your property.
Get Help With the Squirrel in the Attic
If you’re dealing with a squirrel in the attic, you don’t have to deal with this annoying household pest on your own. Our team of experts has experience wrestling the local pest populations out of Texas homes, and we’re happy to make sure your home is squirrel-free.
Make an appointment today to protect your home!