How to Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic

It can be unsettling to enter your home and hear unusual noises, only to discover signs of squirrels in the attic. These cute-looking creatures can potentially spread disease or cause fires by chewing through electrical wires. One method of pest control is using a live trap to capture and remove the animal. Live trapping is a safe and effective way to keep animals away from your home.

If you want more information about evicting squirrels from your attic, follow our DIY guide for product recommendations and instructions.

Identification

Before using a live trap, you need to make sure that the wild animal in your attic is a squirrel. This will ensure that you are using the correct bait and strategies.

Squirrels are generally between 8 and 20 inches long and weigh no more than 2 pounds. They have a bushy tail and are excellent climbers. Squirrels are active during the day, and make noises similar to barks and purrs in order to communicate with one another.

Use the image and description above to confirm that you are dealing with a squirrel in your attic.

Inspection

Once you have confirmed that your pest animal is a squirrel, it is helpful to recognize the areas in the attic where it is most active. This is where you will place your live trap.

Where to Inspect

Squirrels are most likely in your attic looking for shelter once the temperature has dropped. If you have any clutter or storage bins in your attic, they are most likely burrowing in these particular spots. Search the corners and crevices as well. You will want to inspect any studs and beams for signs of activity. If you have any wiring in your attic, take a close look at those to make sure they are not damaged.

What to Look For

Because squirrels are active during the day, any damage will be done at this time. You will want to be on the lookout for squirrel nests, as well as any droppings or chew marks. Squirrel droppings look like small beans that are around 0.25 inches long. Be sure to scan boxes and electric wires for gnaw marks or damage. You will also want to search for damaged electrical wiring and piping.

Treatment

Now that you have identified your pest animal as a squirrel and taken note of areas where it is most active, you can use your live trap. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the trap to prevent leaving your scent. If a squirrel picks up a human scent on the trap, it will avoid the trap, which will make it ineffective.

Step 1 - Remove Food Sources & Shelter

You want the squirrel to enter the live trap with the help of bait. You also want to make sure they do not leave the attic and enter your home. Because of this, competing food sources need to be removed. Thoroughly clean your attic, being sure to dispose of any debris since squirrels may use this to burrowKeep your trash sealed in trash bags and stored in trash bins. Other food sources such as pet food should be stored inside.

Step 2 - Place the Trap

By now, you should have taken note of areas with high squirrel activity. These areas are where you will put your trap. Be sure to place your trap on an even surface. A squirrel might push or knock over the trap in order to reach the bait inside. Place a brick or weight on top of the trap to avoid this.

Step 3 - Bait and Set the Trap

Using the proper bait will increase your chances of catching a squirrel. These animals prefer nuts and fruits, but it is best to bait with peanut butter so the squirrel cannot steal the bait and escape the trap. The bait should be placed near the back of the trap. This ensures that the squirrel will need to step on the trigger plate in order to reach the food.

You will then set your trap by pushing on the door lock and lifting the door plate. Keep the door plate lifted while pulling the trigger arm forward to set it. You will know it is set when the trigger arm's hook catches the door.

Step 4 - Monitor the Trap

You will need to check the traps twice a day, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening. This is when you will refill bait if needed. Checking the trap frequently may dissuade squirrels from approaching the trap. Do not keep an animal trapped in the cage for longer than 24 hours.

Step 5 - Relocate the Squirrel

Any non-target animals should be released immediately. Once you have captured a squirrel in your live trap, check your local authorities to make sure you are correctly relocating the animal. Approach the trap slowly and use a gentle voice. Place a towel over the cage to avoid frightening the squirrel. Once you have relocated far enough, carefully open the trap and release the animal. You can read more about releasing an animal from a live trap here.

Prevention

After using your live trap, you want to make sure that wild animals do not invade your property again. You can take some preventative measures to keep your area squirrel-free.

Sanitation

A cluttered attic will provide plenty of material for a squirrel to burrow and nest there. Be sure to remove all clutter and debris from the attic. Any potential food or water sources, especially pet food, should be properly sealed in a container and stored indoors.

Exclusion

If you have trees with long branches near the roof of your home or property, squirrels can easily climb the tree to invade your area. Consider trimming the branches of your trees to prevent squirrels from disturbing your property.

Squirrels most likely have easy access to your roof from open voids. To avoid squirrels from entering your attic or home, be sure to check the foundation and roof for cracks and crevices. These entry points should be identified and closed immediately to prevent more pest animals from entering. Seal the entry shut with Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh and caulk. Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh is a breathable material that can be placed in between caulk and your foundation. The material prevents pest animals from chewing it, making it a great tool for exclusion.

Key Takeaways

• Squirrels are excellent climbers that are active during the day. They are most likely invading your attic looking for food, shelter, or both. Squirrels can cause extensive damage to your property by chewing through wiring or gnawing on foundation surfaces.
• Bait the live trap with peanut butter, making sure it is placed behind the trigger plate of the trap.
• Check the trap once in the morning and once in the evening. Once a squirrel is caught, check with your local authorities to make sure you safely and correctly release it.
• Prevent squirrels from entering your attic again by removing any potential food sources and trash, as well as sealing any cracks and crevices with Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh and caulk.