What is the best way to get rid of squirrels? There are five effective methods: trapping, placing poisonous baits, fumigation, and repelling them using liquid solutions or electronic deterrents. Traps designed specifically for squirrels are tube-shaped, however, regular cage traps can be effective, too. Squirrels repellents are based either on the urine of their natural predators or essential oils like peppermint and castor oils. Devices that ward squirrels off include motion-activated sprinklers, electronic sound deterrents, and predator decoys. In the worst case, you can place poisons or fumigate the burrows if you are dealing with ground squirrels.
1. Forestry Suppliers Tube Trap Squirrel Trap | Check the current price |
2. Neogen 116352 Ground Squirrel Bait | Check the current price |
3. Wilco 100046603 Ground Squirrel Bait Station | Check the current price |
4. Havahart Critter Ridder 32 oz. Animal Repellent | Check the current price |
5. Shake Away 5006258 Fox Urine Granules | Check the current price |
6. Rugged Ranch Products 100063928 Squirrelinator Trap | Check the current price |
7. Havahart 0745 One-Door Animal Trap | Check the current price |
8. The Giant Destroyer (Gas Killer) | Check the current price |
9. Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler | Check the current price |
10. Aspectek Upgraded Powerful Yard Sentinel | Check the current price |
Squirrels are funny animals; however, despite the cute looks they have gained a reputation of the well-known pests. The pair of jittery squirrels can grow into an entire army of invasive pests and inhabit your property for a long time. This guide explains how to get rid of squirrels fast. Here you’ll find two best ways of controlling squirrels approved by scientists and 10 best products to help you succeed in eliminating your scurry nuisance.
The squirrels literally damage everything they can reach and repairs can get pricey. These curious and naturally inquisitive animals may at first seem harmless but the damage they can cause is not limited to only the outdoors. They feed on bird seeds, damage vegetables, and fruits, destroy your favorite flowers, and turn everything upside down in the attic. So why suffer and live with it? Read 7 steps further on to help you get rid of squirrels faster and without unnecessary drama.
7 steps to help you get rid of squirrels now!
Well, first off, make up a plan of action so that your pest control strategy is consistent and effective. We suggest that you should take the following steps:
1. Start with the area outside your house. It is easier to chase squirrels away from your backyard rather than from the attic or any other space indoors(hopefully you’ve caught the problem before they have entered the house.), where rodents usually nest. Remove foodstuff: all fallen fruits, nuts, and other debris from the backyard to reduce food availability for squirrels. Tightly seal garbage cans. Trim the trees and shrubs adjacent to the house and avoid planting new ones, otherwise, their branches will turn into a perfect bridge to your house.
2. Inspect your house for any openings and cracks in the structure. Seal them with foam insulation or use metal mesh. If squirrels have already established their nests in your house, wait until they leave for hunting and only then block all access points. When applicable, build a fence extended 12 inches below the ground level, so that squirrels can’t get underneath.
3. Since the attic is a prime target for squirrels, clean it up: remove any garbage and foodstuff if you store it there.
4. Drive squirrels away using natural repellents. It is safe and relatively cheap, so try this method first. Place dog or cat hairs where squirrel activity is detected, they can scare rodents away. Garlic, peppermint, and castor oils affect the senses of smell and taste.
There are some ready-to-use sprays, like Havahart Critter Ridder . Spray plants, fruits, and trees that can be preferred by squirrels. There are also other repellents, like Shake-Away granules , that are made of urine of squirrels’ natural enemies —foxes and coyotes.
5. Well, if that does not work, drive squirrels away using chemical repellents. The most simple and cheap way is soaking cotton balls in ammonia or distributing mothballs. The latter is mostly effective indoors only as the foul smell will evaporate quickly in the open air.
6. To ensure 24-hour protection, place electronic frightening devices. Some of them might look funny and spooky, like Garden Scarecrow Owl , others are more sophisticated, like motion-activated sprinklers which drive squirrels out with a sudden spurt of water. Ultrasonic repellents, like Victor Heavy Sonic PestChaser , are better for indoors. The latter emits ultrasound waves that are unbearable for rodents.
Motion-activated deterrent sprinkler Orbit 62100 combines sound, water and motion. Learn more in our article TOP-3 Best Motion Activated Sprinklers .
7. Trapping is an effective way to control rodents. Purchase a Tube Squirrel Trap and place it near the squirrels’ entry points. Simultaneously, block all other entrances they use to get into the house.
If you want to learn how to get it right, what products are recommended by scientists and other helpful tips, read our detailed guide below.
Now, let’s look at some of the key areas, where squirrels usually hide or nest inside and outside the house and describe how to get rid of them in these particular areas.
To learn more about ground squirrels, read our article on How to Get Rid of Ground Squirrels .
The following recommendations combine advice, rules, and tips to hasten the elimination of squirrels from the attic:
Take away foodstuff, the smell is likely to attract squirrels. Clean the attic from everything that can be used for nesting: paper, old wallpaper, wool things, etc.
Place your pets’ hairs around the attic. The permanent feeling of an enemy will frighten the pests.
Dampen cotton cloths in ammonia and place them wherever squirrels can gather. The sharp smell will drive the animals away. After your tattle tails disappear, switch on a ventilator or air ionizer (purifier) to clean the air.
Place around the attic small cotton balls or pieces of fabric dampened in naphthalene: near boxes, in corners, wherever else you’ve seen rodent activity. To increase the repelling impact, combine it with other types of rodent-repelling substances or essential oils. But be careful: naphthalene is highly flammable and classified as a dangerous fire hazard.
The simplest way of controlling rodents is preventing them from getting into your property. It is easier to control squirrels outdoors, rather than oust them directly from your house. You should do everything possible to drive squirrels away from your house before they get in. Start with simple steps:
1. Eliminate everything that can attract squirrels: bird seeds, pet foodstuff, etc. Pick up fallen nuts, fruits, acorns, etc.
2. Don’t feed squirrels. First, they can get accustomed to it; second, they can “communicate” food availability to others and you’ll have a bunch of johnny-come-latelies.
3. Cut branches off the trees to prevent pests from climbing to the roof.
4. Purchase metal garbage cans with tightly-fitted leads and always keep them closed.
5. Find special feeders for birds that can’t be accessed by squirrels, otherwise – stop feeding birds altogether.
6. Plant bushes and decorative plants away from your house and put plastic netting over your flower-beds. Though this doesn’t add an aesthetic appeal to your garden, at least you’ll be able to save your favorite flowers.
7. Use natural rodent repellents with pepper, like All Natural Rodent Defense Spray , spray it on plants, trees, or wherever else you see rodent activity.
8. Use motion activated sprinklers, like Orbit Yard Enforcer , that will scare rodents away with water.
9. Plant mint throughout your garden, it’s a natural rodent repeller.
Now let’s discuss the ways and practices that are used to control the squirrel population.
How to trap squirrels
Trapping is considered effective for low to moderate population of squirrels. There are several basic traps that you should be aware of to make an educated buying decision.
Live-catch traps, like Havahart 2-Door Live Cage , are NOT recommended by the University of California IPM. scientists because of the disposal problems that you face after a rodent is caught. Check your state’s catch-and-release laws before buying it.
The most effective traps are tubes, like Tube Squirrel Trap . They are built as natural attractants to rodents. Squirrels are inquisitive creatures and when they see something resembling a hole or a circular opening, they instinctively want to check it out.
{code 434}
Another popular option among classic squirrel traps is Conibear 110 , like Duke 110 Magnum Trap , they are considered effective, but might be difficult to set up, as they require brute psychical strength.
Overall, trapping cannot eliminate rodents completely, but rather control them. Dead, killed, trapped, released in the wild animals can be easily replaced by the new ones, who will be just as happy to munch on the fallen nuts in your garden.
Expert Opinion: Professor Julian Evans, Institute of Chartered Foresters
Professor Julian Evans , Institute of Chartered Foresters
Julian Evans is a Professor and former President of the Institute of Chartered Foresters in the UK. He also chaired the Expert Committee on Forest Science of the Forestry Commission. Dr. Evans has published numerous books dedicated to forestry and was the editor of the Encyclopedia of Forest Science.
How can they be controlled? There are three ways. Certainly, in wintertime, you can poke the nests that squirrels build high up in a tree. The squirrels will come out and if you have got a shotgun, they can be shot. But really that is not very helpful because you are controlling them at the wrong time of the year. It is not when they are doing damage to the trees and clearly you do not want to be shooting wildlife simply for the sake of it. So what about controlling squirrels during their damage period of May, June, and July? Well, you can trap them on the ground with a cage trap. You set a bait, the squirrel comes into the trap and then you have to kill the animal once it is trapped. The other main way of controlling squirrels is a poison we are allowed to use in the countryside. It is Warfarinthat is put on wheat and the squirrel feeds from special hoppers that dispense the Warfarin, which no other animal or bird can gain access to.
Squirrel poison baits must be put in bait stations, like JT Eaton Top Loader Bait Station , but make sure it is legal in your state.
Summary of the best ways to get rid of squirrels
While it may seem a rather complicated endeavor to get rid of squirrels, don’t be discouraged. You can still use traps and repellents. The most important thing here is to ensure that your state allows you to control the particular species that have invaded your property.
How to repel squirrels
There are various ways and methods to control squirrels from your property without killing or trapping them.
We’ll cover the basic repelling methods that do not involve any chemical substances or hardware devices, and then we’ll cover the gadgets and chemicals as well. So it’s a pretty much complete repelling guide further on.
First, try these simple tactics to keep squirrels away from your property:
- Frighten them with sound: leave the radio on or a CD playing on the roof. If the squirrels hear human voices, they get frightened.
- Try to affect them with light – leave blinking small lamps in your yard, garden, or attic. Lights will drive animals away.
- Squirrels like to travel along cables, climb roofs and get into attics. Put electrical conductors and visible cables into the plastic pipe: when a squirrel begins its climbing, the pipe will rotate and throw the rodent off on the ground
Frightening devices – are they for real?
If we go a little bit into “frightening” method, consider this artsy repellent by Dalen : it may look as somewhat occult and quixotic at first, but, in fact, can turn out to be a practical device. Well, for at least a couple of days. Unfortunately, though, scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln disagree with the effectiveness of such devices that is oftentimes claimed by the manufacturers: frightening rarely has any advanced effects on rodents, they quickly adapt to it.
Natural repellents – what’s the deal and how they work?
First of all, once you start looking for a ready-made natural animal deterrent or a repellent spray, you are going to discover that there are no special products for repelling each individual species, such as squirrels, rats, rabbits, raccoons or other small animals/rodents. As a rule of thumb, these items are marketed as universal, considering they contain multi-action active ingredients.
“Most of these deterrents operate through one of several mechanisms: odor aversion, taste aversion, or fear induction” , say scientists from the University of Florida.
Pepper, peppermint, tarragon, garlic, various essential oils, castor oil, diatomaceous earth, capsaicin, and putrescent egg solids are natural repellents that operate through odor and taste aversion, one of these is Havahart Critter Ridder .
The last type contains the ingredients of animal origin, such enemy urine (from coyotes or foxes), dried blood or the smell of enemy hair, making animals panic and flee. One of these products is Shake-Away Fox Urine Granules .
Theoretically, the above-mentioned ingredients should be effective. However, only a systematic approach will work, holistically speaking, inasmuch as squirrels can quickly get accustomed to any repellent. However, we think it’s worth trying.
To learn more about repellents, read our review of TOP-7 Best Squirrel Repellents .
Another rather humorous approach to repelling squirrels (or eliminating them for that matter) is using the infamously funny squirrel catapults. A picture says a thousand words; a video says a dozen thousand more:
Why poisoning squirrels is never a good idea
First of all, poisoning squirrels is illegal in most states of the United States. Your best bet is trapping and killing allowed species.
Squirrel poison baits that are put on bait stations, like JT Eaton Top Loader Bait Station , because poisons contain active chemical compounds that cause internal bleeding or intoxication.
Poison is never a good idea since it entails a risk of secondary poisoning. Suppose the poisoned squirrel is eaten by other animals or even your dog for that matter; they, your dog included, are going to die the same awful death. I don’t think you want that.
We strongly advise you to stick to legal and humane ways of controlling squirrels. However, if you can’t stand them or would like to get rid of the squirrels asap, contact wildlife exterminators in your area. They never use poison, but advise you on the most effective ways to get rid of all the rodents possible. They also inspect your property and fix things that attract nuisance species and pesky pests.
A squirrel eating nuts. Charming video
To learn more about trapping, read our review of TOP-8 Best Squirrel Traps.
FAQs
Will mothballs get rid of squirrels?
Yes, squirrels dislike the smell of mothballs. However, some people may feel unwell whenever mothballs are placed, so you have to be careful. Replace the mothballs over time, every few weeks, to ensure the smell is still there.
Will vinegar get rid of squirrels?
Indeed, cider vinegar can be effective for controlling squirrels: it is one of the natural repellents that squirrels object to. Immerse cotton cloths in cider vinegar and place them where squirrels will most likely appear or nest, like the attic, for example. You have to replace the cloth with a fresh one after a while since the vinegar (just like any other substance) evaporates over time.
How to get rid of squirrels without killing them?
Resort to using repellents. We wouldn’t recommend live cages, though, since this method can become problematic: you will have to euthanize the rodent or release it following the laws, which are different for every state.
How to get rid of squirrels without harming pets?
Always cover your traps, so that the pets won’t get inadvertently injured, otherwise level the traps off the ground to protect other species. You may also place two sticks vertically in front of the entrance to the trap to prevent pets and other animals from getting into it.
How to get rid of squirrels in the roof?
Seal all the openings to your attic first, and then spray a good amount of repellent both in the attic and the roof to prevent further interest in your property. You may just as well use an ultrasonic pest repellent ( suitable for outdoors ). Other repelling methods that were described earlier in the article included putting a radio or a CD on to scare the squirrels away.
How to get rid of squirrels in walls?
Whenever you think squirrels might occupy or get into your walls, it’s always best to hire a professional to find out where exactly they entered the walls and built their nests. Wildlife Exterminator may come to your rescue. Otherwise, if you decided to DIY, then our advice is to try and use repellents first, both natural and chemical ones, and if that doesn’t work then you will have to go around your house looking for possible entry points, like holes and cracks in the wall. And wherever you see a possible hole, cut it even further for the squirrels to get out easily, and put a mothball or a piece of fabric soaked in ammonia to repel the remained squirrels.
How to get rid of squirrels in trees?
First, take any steps prevention necessary, like taking down bird feeders or replacing them with the ones that cannot be reached by squirrels (which is almost impossible). Try spraying repellents and place a metal band or sheet around the tree to prevent squirrels from climbing. If nothing else worked, then resort to trapping.
How to get rid of squirrels in a car engine?
We advise trying ultrasonic repellents first. There are some repellers that can be installed into the car electric circuit. They usually work against the rats, but most often than not they can work for squirrels just as well.
How to get rid of squirrels in my shed?
Squirrels prefer living in the open air, so if they occupy the shed, garage, or even attic, they won’t do that for a prolonged amount of time. Usually, they wait till spring or until the baby squirrels are grown up enough to go into the “wild”. Anyway, if you still think that you’d rather live alone than with a bunch of newborn squirrels, then try using natural and then chemical repellents. After squirrels leave, seal all the holes to prevent them from getting in again.
Squirrel Repellents & Traps Comparison Chart
- Easy to set up the bait and catch undesired animals alive but doesn’t harm animal inside the cage
- The size is 9.45 inch X 4.5 inch X 4.5 inch( 240mmX115mmX115mm),so ideal for small rats, small squirrels, small rodent, mice mouse and other similar-size nuisance animals.
- Once the pedal touched slightly, the trap will be triggered and the door shut up at a lightning speed.if adjust the sensitive for trap, you can adjust the arm bar on the trigger hold and make sure it will close the door quickly and avoid it running out.
- Ideal for use in garages, sheds, lofts & in covered outdoor spaces and anywhere
- Easy to clean & reuse, you can use it for many times.
- Pest Control Solution! Environmentally friendly for users and pet safe, Non-toxic and odorless! Don’t use spray essences, peppermint, roses and cedar oil, poison sprays, traps, gel and other chemicals – NO KILL! NO SMELL!
- The best efficiency is achieved In houses and apartments in offices, garages, attics, basements, warehouses, greenhouse, and garden. Often used in restaurants, hospitals, shopping pavilions, and stores.
- Our electronic products repel – rodents and mices, bats, squirrels, spiders, roaches, fleas, ticks, flies, wasps, ants, crickets, bed bugs, silkworms, mosquitoes, bees and other small pests.
- Supply voltage: 100-240V, AC 50/60Hz. Power consumption: 1-3w. Dual effect Ultrasonic repeller. Protect over 1200 square feet.
- EFFECTIVE ANIMAL & BIRD REPELLER — Newly Upgraded Frequency & Flashing Alarm Technology: Adjustable frequency to repel different animals with 5 working modes. The alarm range of animal deterrent is between 13.5kHz-45.5kHz, which can effectively keep away Rats, Mice, Birds,dogs, foxes, Cats, Raccoon, Skunks and Rodents.
- ULTRASONIC PIR SENSOR—Adopts advanced ultrasonic and PIR motion activated technology, and equipped with strong LED flashing light. It can effectively repel common wild animals and pests by emitting powerful ultrasonic wave and strong LED flashing light, thus makes animals feel uncomfortable and leave the protected area.
- SOLAR POWER & WATERPROOF — Solar Powered Charge or USB Charge as you like, it can be charged by solar power under the sun or USB power without sunlight. Two ways of charging make sure it can work under any weather. IPX4 level waterproof allows you to drive away the rodent pest animals anytime anywhere, which it’s economical and convenience.
- ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY — Safe, non-chemical and poison-free, repelling unwanted animal by using physical way, no chemical stimulation or pesticides, no traps, no dead animals, protect your family and also the natural.
- EASY USE & PORTABLE — It can be inserted into ground soil, or hang on wall through the back slot (Installing in direct sunlight recommended).
- ✅ Repels such pests as: rodents, rats, mice, squirrels and other pests from your property (sound above human hearing). This device for electronic pest control has two speakers that maximizes rodent repelling results.
- ✅ Superior double effect, ultrasonic waves in a circle of 360 °, indoor pest control in: houses, garages, basements, attics, awnings, apartments, offices, shops, warehouses, restaurants, schools, rooms.
- ✅ Easy Application | stands on its own | Comes with 6ft. plug-in cord. Effectively protects an area measuring 50~545 sq. ft. | Ultrasonic, Electronic, Sonic, Electric, Sound.
- ✅ Over 15 years in business | We stand by our product | Customer service that cares and when needed is willing to take the extra steps for you to succeed.
- ✅ 100% Safe and Green Earth Friendly. Safe to use around birds, cats, dogs, humans, children, and all house hold electronics. Repels by using specially designed dedicated sounds above the human hearing – ultrasonic, electronic, sonic, electric, sonar, ultrasound. No poison or Chemicals used to repel.
- Pest Control Solution! Environmentally friendly for users and pet safe, Non-toxic and odorless! Don’t use spray essences, peppermint, roses and cedar oil, poison sprays, traps, gel and other chemicals – NO KILL! NO SMELL No Kill! No Smell!
- The best efficiency is achieved In houses and apartments in offices, garages, attics, basements, warehouses, greenhouse, and garden. Often used in restaurants, hospitals, shopping pavilions, and stores.
- Our electronic products repel – rodents and mices, bats, squirrels, spiders, roaches, fleas, ticks, flies, wasps, ants, crickets, bed bugs, silkworms, mosquitoes, bees and other small pests.
- Supply voltage: 100-240V, AC 50/60Hz. Power consumption: 1-3w. Dual effect Ultrasonic repeller and night light. Protect over 1600 square feet. Our product has passed all tests and is protected by patent – Beware Of Fakes!
- Supply voltage: 100-240V, AC 50/60Hz. Power consumption: 1-3w. Dual effect Ultrasonic repeller and night light. Protect over 1600 square feet. Our product has passed all tests and is protected by patent – Beware Of Fakes!
- Feel our service and care! Life time guarantee!
- Excellent work: The gopher repellent works effectively by emitting ultrasound waves and vibrations to drive harmful animals away. This working way affects and gets the fear of burrowing rodents. They will run away instantly and leave your peace.
- Efficient solar power: The vole repellent outdoor works all day because of equipped with a solar cell on the top. This mole deterrent cell gets the energy from the Sun in daily time and the solar pest repeller automatically runs to work.
- Simple installation: With a convenient appearance, snake repellent is totally easy to use. The vole trap instruction is concise so there are not many steps to start the animal repellent.
- Safe for use: This gopher repellent uses upgraded technology with no chemicals or poison to bring the safest squirrel deterrent outdoor for people. The result brought is better than other traditional solar mole repellents.
- Lifetime warranty: The package includes 4 ultrasonic pest repellers. If you have any issue related to using the mole repellent stakes or any question about it, contact us and we will reply to you instantly. A refund or replacement is needed if you have any dissatisfaction while using rat traps outdoor.
- Working Principle: Titoland Ultrasonic mole repellents are solar-powered and waterproof so that they can last for months without needing battery to be replaced, provided that they are placed in an area where the sun can adequately charge them during the day. These mole repellents work by emitting an ultrasonic sound that irritates and confuses the moles’ keen sensory organs. Humans can’t detect the sound so the only thing you will have to worry about is not damaging the stakes.
- Humanely Mole and snake Repellent: Keep animals and pests out of plants, yards and gardens using a harmless short & sharp ultrasonic sound, Get rid of: moles, gophers, shrews, voles, groundhogs, mice, and other subterranean pests.
- Effective time of mole and snake repeller: It takes about 2-4 weeks to drive the Mole & Gopher away from your garden, Then your garden will be free of these nuisance critters after some weeks.
- Solar powered and Waterproof: The solar panel and body of each mole and Gopher stake Repellent is made of waterproof ABS plastic, so you won’t have to worry about rain, hail, sleet, or even some snow, though once the solar panel is covered, the repellent will no longer charge.
- Mole repellent Ultrasonic come in a wide assortment of options that are safe for you, your kids, your pets, and the environment so that you don’t have to feel guilty about getting rid of a pest that is damaging your yard. Make sure mole and snake away.
- Pest Control Solution! Environmentally friendly for users and pet safe, Non-toxic and odorless! Don’t use spray essences, peppermint, roses and cedar oil, poison sprays, traps, gel and other chemicals – No Kill! No Smell!Our electronic products repel – rodents and mices, bats, squirrels, spiders, roaches, fleas, ticks, flies, wasps, ants, crickets, bed bugs, silkworms, mosquitoes, bees and other small pests.
- The best efficiency is achieved In houses and apartments in offices, garages, attics, basements, warehouses, greenhouse, and garden. Often used in restaurants, hospitals, shopping pavilions, and stores.
- Supply voltage: 100-240V, AC 50/60Hz. Power consumption: 4-6w. Dual effect Ultrasonic repeller and night light. Protect over 1200 square feet.
- Pest Control Solution! Environmentally friendly for users and pet safe, Non-toxic and odorless! Don’t use spray essences, peppermint, roses and cedar oil, poison sprays, traps, gel and other chemicals!
- The efficiency is achieved In houses and apartments in offices, garages, attics, basements, warehouses, greenhouse, and garden. Often used in restaurants, hospitals, shopping pavilions, and stores.
- Our electronic products repel – rodents and mices, bats, squirrels, spiders, roaches, fleas, ticks, flies, wasps, ants, crickets, bed bugs, silkworms, mosquitoes, bees and other small pests.
- Supply voltage: 100-240V, AC 50/60Hz. Power consumption: 1-3w. Dual effect Ultrasonic repeller and night light. Protect over 1600 square feet. Our product has passed all tests and is protected by patent!
- Pest Control Solution! Environmentally friendly for users and pet safe, Non-toxic and odorless! Don’t use spray essences, peppermint, roses and cedar oil, poison sprays, traps, gel and other chemicals – No Kill! No Smell!
- Our electronic products repel – rodents and mices, bats, squirrels, spiders, roaches, fleas, ticks, flies, wasps, ants, crickets, bed bugs, silkworms, mosquitoes, bees and other small pests.
- The best efficiency is achieved In houses and apartments in offices, garages, attics, basements, warehouses, greenhouse, and garden. Often used in restaurants, hospitals, shopping pavilions, and stores.
- Supply voltage: 100-240V, AC 50/60Hz. Power consumption: 4-6w. Dual effect Ultrasonic repeller and night light. Protect over 1600 square feet. Our product has passed all tests and is protected by patent – Beware Of Fakes!
How Dangerous Are Squirrels?
Under the mask of this touching and lovely animal is a real monster that is capable of changing your careless life into an inferno.
Squirrels are dangerous because:
- They gnaw the cortex of fruit-trees and young sprouts.
- They ruin birds’ feeding troughs and deter nests.
- They root up flower-beds.
- They make noise when settling down in attics, air pipes, and walls of the house.
- They defecate and make everything dirty with their excreta.
- They gnaw conductors and may cause short circuits and fires.
- They transfer various diseases and parasites.
Type of squirrels: legal issues to consider
It is important to distinguish between various species in order to follow the law.
The squirrels that you can control are primarily ground squirrels. They have gray fur, and always retreat to their burrows, where they live when frightened. Ground squirrels are non-game animals, thus can be controlled without a permit throughout the year. However, if you want to use a live cage trap, you will still have to obtain a permit to release the squirrel. If you decide to kill the trapped rodent, no permit is necessary.
Tree squirrels are game animals and have their hunting season. However, there is an exception to the rule: you can still control two types of tree squirrels. These species are eastern fox squirrels and gray squirrels. You don’t have to obtain a permit for the former, but you do for the latter.
Whenever in doubt, please, check with the Wildlife Management Control in your area.
All you need to know about squirrels
Squirrels eat and gnaw on everything they can reach. Chisel-shaped incisors and strong muscles in the lower jaw help them to crack and grind hard surfaces. Front and back teeth constantly grow, making squirrels gnaw on anything just to wear them down, and here everything goes – even electrical conductors.
The squirrels are relatively smart, which makes them harder to trick. High intelligence and acquired skills allow them to get any food they want. Birds’ nests are highly attractive to squirrels. The squirrels destroy them, settle in and begin to multiply. Their high resistance explains their dynamic assimilation and the aggressive reproduction in any climate. Over the year, the number of animals may double several times.
Squirrels eat nuts, seeds, fruits, even frogs and nestlings, however, they don’t digest cellulose. They eat vegetables and food rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Remember these facts whenever else you decide to bait and trap the squirrels.
26 thoughts on “How to Get Rid of Squirrels? – Tested Methods to Eliminate Squirrels Faster – Science Based How-to Guide [UPDATED 2022]”
When I was young I lived with my parents in New-York. I loved cartoons about squirrels, ad on TV for “Nuts”. But now I live in village with my family, and I don’t understand why squirrels decided to kill me. They really attack our house, bite my cat, steal my dog’s food. Mostly I afraid about my kids. Squirrels may bite and infect them. I don’t want to use peaceful trap or repellents. For the beginning, I decided to kill them, and, maybe then use electronic repeller for prevention. Is anyone can advise me something?
find someone that handles / trains owl / hawks (a raptor trainer/handler). If in the attic put the owl in the attic. Otherwise the owl / hawk trainer can sit outside with the bird/s. Or encourage owls / hawks to live in your area
I would advise two methods. The first is to lure them to a convenient tree using deer corn. Then pick them off with a pellet gun. Secondly use a deer feeder with corn/sunflower seeds but throw Just One Bite chunks below the feeder. Both methods are very effective.
Hey, Xzibit, why so cruel? You said that you afraid about your children. How do you think, all will be fine, when they will see a lot of squirrels corpses in the garden? Better use one of electronic repellers. It is safe and it works! All animals will be alive, but their life wouldn’t be your problem. Our planet is dying, don’t forget about it!
When I wrote previous post, I was too impressed, because squirrels killed my tomatoes. Truly, i understand that kill animals – it’s bad. I heard your advice and bought ELECTRONIC SQUIRREL REPELLENTS – cool thing! Squirrels disappear on the third day!!! I pleasantly surprised. About a month passed, and I didn’t met squirrels in my garden.
How to combine liquid repellent and electronic one for the best effect? I want to kick away all squirrels from my garden, as fast as possible. So I think that combination is the best way.
Why you need to combine something? All of this repellent are work. But if REALLY need to combine something, try Rodent Defense – Small Animal Deterrent and Repellent Spray + Contech CRO101 Scarecrow Motion Activated Sprinkler. I bought last one and Spray was used by my neighbour. I think together it works correct.
I still haven’t figured out which squirrel repellent is better, an electronic or a natural one? These nimble little animals get on my roof all the time! Help me!
Hey! A natural squirrel repellent is a solution for those who are looking for a panacea. The scientists, though, confirm that they have limited effect. Think for yourself, I personally trust only ultrasonic repellents. Universal ones are best because they are used both indoors and outdoors in case you need to.
How to get rid of squirrels in the attic? They chew the wires and scatter things. There is nothing edible there, but squirrels keep on hanging out there and there is nothing I can do to kick them out. Can I shoot them?
I don’t recommend doing this; I don’t think it is legal. The same goes for poisoning. Try being more humane and use some squirrel deterrent or live-catch traps if there are few squirrels. I use these traps and as I place several nuts as bait. Squirrels are sly but they can be trapped when hungry. Release it in the woods afterwards.
There is nothing illegal about using fox urine to deter squirrels. If it were illegal, you’d find a lot foxes in the county lockup because they all got to piss somewhere. Live traps are a great way to capture rogue squirrels, but it’s a pain to waste gas driving them somewhere for relocation. The environmentally friendly way dispose of them is to fill a garbage can with water and drop the live trap and squirrel into it, wait 10 minutes and toss the remains out with your garbage.
Squirrels used to inhabit my attic as well. I remember looking for an effective squirrel repellent and everyone kept recommending some useless things such as essential oils. It’s a good thing I found out about fox urine remedies that, strangely enough, was very effective (or maybe the squirrels were timid). By the way, I tested the same repellent later on rabbits that were destroying my vegetable plantings. Hope you find this useful.
Bird can be a cause of a lot of trouble, and it isn’t limited to the annoying sounds they make while you are getting comfortable at home. Many birds are hosts to dangerous viruses and pass on to other creatures including humans.
Squirrels have a habit of always chewing on trees. Constant chewing is not good for trees. Though big ones might be able to handle it but small ones will eventually die. Chewed barks and branches also aren’t very good to look at either. They are also responsible for complete destruction of plants. As the squirrels have a bit of constantly chewing and digging searching for food, they can rip the plant from roots. There goes your dream of seeing a plant grow in front of your eyes in your yard.
rent or get a live hawk or owl along with it’s handler. that’s a good business idea for anyone that’s interested. Get the handler to put the live hawk or owl in the attic and that should take care of the problem.
I use a two pronged approach to get rid of unwanted vermin. I lure them with deer feed corn around the base of a convenient tree, then I sit back and pick them off with a pellet gun as they come to feed. The second method I use is to use a deer feeder filled with sunflower seeds and corn. Then I throw chunks of Just One Bite onto the ground under the deer feeder. Even more effective than the pellet gun and it works 24/7, but not as much fun. Vermin are gone.
Why was my comment deleted?
well I hated to but I had no other way to get rid of them, I filled their hole they chewed in my garage, So I used a can of expand insulation , Didn’t they look cool running for their lives ,Being full of that sticky expand foam. Yep froze them in their tracks in the yard in front of me, It was sad but, they refused to leave. Use this as ONLY a LAST EFFORT!!!!!!! It works rather good.
Had them in my attic, used a solution given to me by my Grandfather. Small bowls filled with green (traditional) antifreeze. Didn’t want to kill them but they kept coming back and tearing up and defecating all over the Christmas decorations I had up there. Several small bowls full of green antifreeze left by active areas, the edges rimmed with peanut butter, and no more squirrels. Have to add, make sure your pets DO NOT have access, they’re attracted to it also.
I’m for humane ways of getting rid of squirrels! I think Havahart Trap or repellers are the best option for this.
I have solar panels and the squirrels built nests under the solar panels. Had to hire a solar contractor to install “squirrel guards” made of heavy gauge wire around the solar array. The vermin had also eaten through the wiring under two of the panels and destroyed them. Replacing the panels and paying for the squirrel guards was a very hefty hit financially. Now I see that a new occupant has somehow bent the wiring for easy entry and built a new even grander nest for the fam. Its war!
People, what can scare the squirrels out of the yard? Previously, somehow not so bored, but now completely lost their conscience! All my cherry tomatoes were eaten! I used traps, but they are ineffective. Do you think the repeller will cope with this task?
squirrels are tearing my flower beds up, so I tried plastic fencing laid across the beds, they just started digging up my yard! now I’m ready to start shooting them!!!!