Squirrels are one of the most common pests that invade homes, and they can be surprisingly difficult to remove. Whether it’s the cute little critters nesting in your attic or causing chaos in your garden, squirrels pose unique challenges for homeowners.
Their ability to adapt to various environments and quickly figure out ways around traps or barriers makes them a persistent problem. In this article, we’ll explore why squirrels are so hard to get rid of, the common mistakes homeowners make, and how you can successfully deal with these tricky invaders.
Why Squirrels Are Hard to Get Rid Of
Squirrels are naturally resourceful creatures. They can find their way into tight spaces, squeeze through tiny openings, and create nests in places you wouldn’t expect—like your attic or behind walls. Once they’ve found a way into your home, they often settle in for the long haul, making it even more difficult to remove them. Squirrels are also highly intelligent and can learn from their mistakes, which means that even if you trap one, the others may avoid the trap next time or find new entry points.
Another reason squirrels are hard to get rid of is their rapid breeding rate. A single pair of squirrels can produce up to three litters per year, each with multiple babies. This means that if you don’t address the problem quickly, what starts as a minor annoyance can quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation. The longer squirrels are left to roam freely, the more damage they can cause and the harder it will be to eliminate them.
Finally, squirrels are persistent and difficult to outsmart. Once they’ve found a food source or nesting spot, they’ll continue to return to that same place, even if you’ve made attempts to deter them. Their strong instincts to gather food and seek shelter make them stubborn invaders, requiring more than just a simple trap to get them out. Identifying and closing all potential entry points is key to successfully removing squirrels, but it’s often a lot harder than it seems.
Common Mistakes When Trying to Remove Squirrels
Squirrel removal is not as straightforward as many people think. While it may seem like an easy task, there are several common mistakes that can make the situation worse or prolong the problem. Understanding these pitfalls can help you avoid frustration and ensure you take the right steps to successfully get rid of the squirrels. Let’s dive into the most frequent errors made when dealing with these pesky invaders.
1. Sealing Entry Points Before All Squirrels Are Out
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is sealing up holes or cracks before ensuring all the squirrels are out. Squirrels often find shelter in hidden areas, like attics or wall cavities, and if you block their only exit while they’re still inside, you risk trapping them in. This can lead to serious issues such as dead squirrels decomposing in hard-to-reach areas, creating a terrible smell and potentially attracting other pests.
Instead, it’s essential to first make sure the squirrels have vacated the premises. Using one-way doors or traps can allow the squirrels to leave but prevent them from returning. Once you’re certain all the squirrels are gone, then you can safely seal up any openings without worrying about trapping one inside. This step-by-step approach ensures you’re not making the problem worse.
2. Relying on Ineffective DIY Solutions
Many homeowners try to deal with squirrels using DIY solutions that often don’t work or may even make the situation worse. For example, using repellents like mothballs, essential oils, or loud noises might seem like a quick fix, but squirrels are known to adapt to these methods over time. They may ignore the deterrents or simply find ways around them. Additionally, these methods often don’t address the root of the problem—sealing entry points and removing nests.
The most effective way to remove squirrels is by addressing the problem holistically. Traps, proper exclusion techniques, and professional services ensure that the problem is tackled from all angles. DIY solutions might provide temporary relief, but they rarely solve the issue long-term. Opting for more reliable and humane removal methods will save you time, money, and frustration in the long run.
Related: How much does it cost to get rid of a squirrel?
3. Not Addressing the Root Cause of Attraction
Another common mistake is focusing solely on the squirrels in your home and not considering why they were attracted there in the first place. Squirrels are often drawn to food sources, like bird feeders, pet food, or trash, and can easily be lured into your attic or garden. Failing to remove these food sources while trying to remove the squirrels can result in a quick return, as they will simply find another way to access the food they crave.
To effectively deter squirrels, it’s important to remove or secure potential food sources. Start by eliminating accessible garbage, using squirrel-proof bird feeders, and keeping pet food indoors. By making your property less attractive to squirrels, you can reduce the chances of them returning once they’ve been removed from your home.
Proven Methods for Dealing with Persistent Squirrels
Once squirrels have settled in your home, they can be incredibly persistent. They’ll often return to the same spot, making it essential to use tried-and-true methods to deal with them effectively. In this section, we’ll explore the most reliable and humane methods for removing squirrels and keeping them from coming back. These proven techniques address the root causes of the infestation and ensure long-term success.
1. Using Traps
Trapping is one of the most effective ways to remove squirrels from your property. Live traps allow you to catch squirrels humanely and relocate them to a safe area away from your home. The key to success with traps is proper placement—position them near known entry points or areas where squirrels are most active, such as along rooflines or near nests. Using bait like peanut butter or sunflower seeds can increase your chances of trapping them.
However, it’s important to note that trapping requires patience and persistence. Check traps regularly to avoid leaving a trapped squirrel for an extended period, as this can be stressful for the animal and less effective in the long run.
2. Exclusion Methods to Block Entry Points
Exclusion is the best long-term solution for preventing squirrels from entering your home. This method involves sealing all potential entry points, such as holes in the roof, vents, chimneys, or cracks in walls. Since squirrels can squeeze through very small openings, it’s crucial to thoroughly inspect your property and seal any gaps. Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth or steel mesh, which squirrels cannot chew through, to ensure your home stays protected.
Before sealing, make sure there are no squirrels currently inside the space, as blocking them in could lead to more problems. One effective exclusion method is installing one-way doors that allow squirrels to exit but prevent them from re-entering. This technique is especially helpful in areas like attics where squirrels might be nesting. Once the squirrels are gone, secure the openings to prevent future infestations.
3. Habitat Modification to Deter Squirrels
Squirrels are often attracted to properties because they offer a comfortable and safe environment. Modifying your property to make it less appealing is a powerful way to keep squirrels away for good. Start by trimming tree branches that are close to the roofline, as squirrels can easily leap from trees onto your roof. Additionally, clearing away piles of leaves, firewood, and other debris can eliminate potential nesting sites for squirrels.
Another effective habitat modification is removing food sources. Secure your trash bins, use squirrel-proof bird feeders, and keep pet food indoors. By reducing the food supply and making the environment less welcoming, squirrels are less likely to stick around. This proactive approach helps ensure that even after removal, squirrels won’t be attracted back to your home.
How Long It Typically Takes to Remove Squirrels
The amount of time it takes to remove squirrels from your home can vary depending on several factors. If you’re dealing with a small number of squirrels and you’re using traps, it might only take a few days to catch them. However, for larger infestations or for squirrels that have been nesting for a while, it can take weeks. The process is often slower when you’re trying to trap squirrels that have already made a home inside your attic, as they may be cautious and more difficult to lure out.
Exclusion methods, such as sealing up entry points or installing one-way doors, can also take some time to implement. This process involves identifying all possible points of entry and ensuring they are completely closed off, which can require a thorough inspection of your property. Once the entry points are sealed, it may take a couple of days to a week for all the squirrels to leave, especially if they have babies in the nest. After sealing, it’s important to monitor the area to ensure that no squirrels return or find new ways inside.
In general, while removal might happen fairly quickly with the right tools and techniques, making sure that the squirrels don’t return can be a more prolonged effort. By combining traps, exclusion, and habitat modification, you ensure the best chance of success. Patience is key, and understanding the removal process will help set the right expectations for how long it will take to completely rid your home of squirrels.
AAAC Wildlife Removal Phoenix – Your Trusted Partner for Squirrel Removal
If you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation and need professional help, AAAC Wildlife Removal Phoenix is here for you. We specialize in humane squirrel removal and provide fast, reliable, and safe solutions to ensure your home stays squirrel-free. Our experienced team understands the challenges that come with dealing with these persistent pests and will guide you through every step of the process. From trapping and relocation to exclusion and prevention, we have the tools and expertise to handle it all.
Don’t let squirrels cause unnecessary damage to your home. Call AAAC Wildlife Removal Phoenix today for a thorough inspection and prompt removal services. With our proven methods and commitment to customer satisfaction, we’ll ensure your property is safe, secure, and squirrel-free. Contact us now and take the first step toward a squirrel-free home!
