Squirrels are one of the most common nuisance animals that invade homes and yards and they tend to find their way into the attic of a home.

Once in the attic, they can cause damage by chewing up the wires, architectural elements, and insulation and their droppings contribute to unsanitary conditions.

It is important to remove a squirrel from your attic as soon as it is discovered to minimize the damage to your home.

The following tips are helpful for removing squirrels from the attic and preventing them from returning.

For professional squirrel removal in Chicagoland
Call 847-464-1861

Live Squirrels in Attic Trapping

Live trapping of a single nuisance animal such as a squirrel can be done by the homeowner with the right equipment.  The animal traps are available from a variety of supply stores and are the most effective when baited with peanut butter and sunflower seeds or nuts.

Place the trap near where the squirrel or squirrels have been spotted in your attic and make sure to check the trap daily.  If you do trap a squirrel, then put the trap in your car and drive somewhere away from your home to release the squirrel.

If the squirrel in your home is difficult to trap or if there are multiple squirrels living in your home, it is best to have a wildlife professional trap and remove them.

Wildlife control professionals like Attic Solutions specialize in humane animal trapping and will catch and release the squirrel at a safe distance.  They can also remove multiple squirrels from your home if there is more than one living in your attic.

Related: Types of squirrels in Illinois

Preventing Squirrel Infestations

Once a squirrel is removed from a home, there is a high chance that it or another squirrel could return and enter the attic the same way as the previous squirrel.  Taking preventative actions after the squirrel is removed is the best way to avoid a reoccurring problem.

The following are common remedies for preventing squirrel infestations in your home or attic.

• Repellants: Treating potential entry points with squirrel repellants is an effective way to help prevent squirrel infestations.  Fox urine is one such repellant that is available from hunting and outdoors supply stores.  Treating entry points with fox urine will discourage squirrels from entering the home because they will be intimidated by the potential presence of a fox.
• Ammonia: Applying ammonia to potential entry points and areas where the animal lived can help drive squirrels out and prevent them from returning.  The strong smell of the ammonia is intolerable to squirrels that have a well-developed sense of smell.
• Moth Balls: Mothballs are an effective remedy for squirrel control because they contain the same naphthalene flakes as squirrel repellants but are much less expensive.  They are most effective when placed in holes, gaps, and other potential entry points.
• Close off Attic: When a squirrel makes its home in your attic, they generally leave the attic during the day and return to it at night.  While the squirrel is away, you can close off the entry point it used with mesh, vents, boards, or anything that fills the space.  This will prevent the squirrel from returning to your attic.

Related: Deterrents for chipmunks and ground squirrels

As soon as you suspect you may have a squirrel infestation, call us immediately at 847-464-1861 for removal. We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with squirrel exclusion and removal, including humane

We are trained professionals and equipped to deal with squirrel exclusion and removal, including humane live animal trapping (never poisons!). We will remove the squirrels and fix any property damage they may have caused. Click to read more about squirrel removal services from Attic Solutions.