What is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of Squirrels?

Squirrels may look harmless, but once they sneak into your attic or walls, they can cause serious damage in a short time by chewing wires, nesting in insulation, and contaminating spaces with droppings. Homeowners looking for the fastest solution often turn to deterrents or traps, but wildlife experts emphasize that one-way exits and sealing entry points are the most effective and humane approaches.

This article will walk you through how professional wildlife control services like AAAC Wildlife Removal handle squirrel problems quickly and safely. You’ll also learn why certain DIY methods waste valuable time, what immediate steps you can take while waiting for professional help, and how proper exclusion ensures squirrels don’t return.

Why Going “Fast” the Wrong Way Slows You Down

Acting in a hurry without the right approach often drags out the squirrel problem instead of solving it. Quick fixes may look appealing, but they usually create setbacks that take longer to repair.

DIY Repellents Wear Off Quickly

Household solutions like vinegar, mothballs, or hot sauce only discourage squirrels temporarily. These animals adapt quickly to smells, meaning they’ll return as soon as the odor fades. Wildlife organizations, including the Humane Society, stress that smell-based deterrents are unreliable against determined invaders. Depending on them first wastes time that could be spent on permanent exclusion.

Trapping Takes More Time Than You Think

Setting live traps requires constant monitoring, relocation, and compliance with state wildlife laws. In many cases, relocation permits are required, which adds extra delays. Traps may also catch the wrong species or separate mothers from their young, creating new problems. Instead of speeding up the process, trapping can turn a quick job into a drawn-out project.

Sealing Too Soon Can Cause Bigger Issues

Closing off entry points without checking for squirrels inside often makes matters worse. Trapped animals can chew wires, damage insulation, or die in hidden areas. These outcomes take longer and cost more to address than handling the problem properly. Professionals always install one-way exits before sealing to avoid these costly mistakes.

Ignoring Hidden Entry Points

Squirrels are skilled at using multiple access routes around vents, chimneys, and roof gaps. Homeowners who close only the obvious hole usually find the animals re-entering within days. This repeated cycle wastes valuable time and effort. Trained inspectors know how to spot secondary openings that untrained eyes often miss.

Overlooking Baby Squirrels Extends the Process

During spring and late summer, many squirrels are raising young in attics and wall spaces. Removing the mother without addressing the babies leads to orphans left behind. These young squirrels die inside, creating odor, flies, and secondary infestations that take weeks to resolve. Professionals time removals to handle family groups safely and quickly.

Risking Property and Health Complications

Using harsh chemicals, poisons, or makeshift barriers can create serious side effects. Dead squirrels inside walls produce lasting odors and attract pests, while chemicals risk contaminating your home. Cleanup from these errors often takes longer than the original squirrel removal. A professional exclusion avoids these hazards and gets the job done efficiently.

The Fastest Proven Way: AAAC’s 5-Step Squirrel Removal Process

When every hour counts, the key is to follow a process that clears squirrels quickly while preventing their return. AAAC’s streamlined approach combines immediate action with long-term security, making it the fastest proven method.

Step 1: Immediate Professional Inspection

The process begins with a same-day or next-day inspection to pinpoint exactly how squirrels are entering. Trained eyes quickly identify chewed gaps, droppings, or nesting sites that most homeowners overlook. This fast, targeted assessment avoids delays caused by trial-and-error attempts.

Confirming the presence of baby squirrels is also part of the inspection, which prevents complications later in the process. By mapping out all possible entry points right away, professionals save valuable time and prevent repeat visits. Inspection sets the foundation for a smooth, fast removal.

Pro Tip: Call for an inspection at the first sign of attic noises, speed here saves weeks of damage.

Step 2: Humane One-Way Exit Installation

Next, a one-way exit is installed at the main entry hole so squirrels can leave naturally but cannot re-enter. Since squirrels forage daily, this usually clears the home within a day or two without waiting on traps. It’s quicker and more reliable than scattering deterrents or hoping the animals leave on their own.

This step is critical because it avoids sealing animals inside, which would create delays and damage. One-way exits also reduce stress for the animals, keeping the process safe and efficient. Once movement stops, professionals know the home is ready for permanent sealing.

Pro Tip: Only install one-way exits after confirming all squirrels have a clear path to leave, this accelerates the eviction.

Step 3: Complete Exclusion and Sealing

With squirrels gone, every entry point is sealed using chew-resistant materials such as galvanized mesh or metal flashing. This makes re-entry impossible and stops the cycle of squirrels returning through overlooked gaps. Unlike DIY foam or caulk, professional materials stand up to sharp teeth and harsh weather.

Sealing is timed carefully, done only after animals have exited, to ensure the fix is permanent. Professionals also reinforce weak spots like vents or soffits to eliminate vulnerabilities. This locks in the success of the one-way exit step and prevents a repeat invasion.

Pro Tip: Prioritize sealing the smallest cracks first, squirrels exploit tiny gaps faster than you’d expect.

Step 4: Rapid Habitat and Food Source Removal

Once the home is secure, fast action outside discourages squirrels from sticking around. Food attractants such as bird feeders, pet bowls, fallen fruit, and unsecured trash are removed or contained immediately. Trimming overhanging branches or adding guards to wires further limits quick access routes to the roof.

By removing easy food and pathways, squirrels leave the area faster instead of lingering nearby. This environmental cleanup reinforces the exclusion work inside, making it less likely for new squirrels to attempt entry. Acting on these steps quickly reduces the chance of another invasion cycle.

Pro Tip: Take down or modify bird feeders the same day exclusion is done, this speeds up relocation of persistent squirrels.

Step 5: Follow-Up Check and Maintenance

The final step is a follow-up inspection within days or weeks to confirm the home remains secure. Professionals recheck vents, chimneys, and roof edges to ensure no new gaps have appeared. This quick verification step is what guarantees long-term success.

Seasonal maintenance, such as trimming back trees and inspecting attics, prevents future infestations from escalating into urgent problems. Addressing small vulnerabilities early saves time compared to managing another full invasion. With follow-up built into the process, homeowners gain lasting peace of mind.

Pro Tip: Schedule follow-ups during peak squirrel seasons, spring and fall, when infestations start fastest.

Supporting Fast Prevention Moves Homeowners Can Do Right Away

While a professional exclusion is the fastest permanent solution, there are steps you can take immediately to speed up results. These quick actions discourage squirrels from lingering and make your home less attractive while you wait for removal services.

🥜 Food Source Lockdown

• Store bird seed in metal containers with tight lids instead of plastic bins.
• Clean up fallen fruit, nuts, or pet food from the yard daily.
• Secure garbage cans with locking lids or bungee cords.

Why it matters: Squirrels are opportunistic feeders; removing easy food makes them leave faster.

🌳 Quick Access Cut-Off

• Trim tree branches that touch or overhang the roof by at least 6–8 feet.
• Install simple squirrel baffles or guards on utility lines and fences.
• Close attic vents or chimneys with temporary covers until professionals can install permanent barriers.

Why it matters: The harder it is to reach your roof, the less likely squirrels are to stick around.

🔊 Motion and Noise Deterrents

• Use motion-activated sprinklers to surprise squirrels during yard activity.
• Place ultrasonic or strobe devices temporarily near high-traffic areas.
• Keep outdoor radios playing talk stations near suspected entry points.

Why it matters: Sudden changes in environment create discomfort, pushing squirrels to leave sooner.

🧹 Fast Indoor Safeguards

• Inspect attics and walls for droppings and nesting signs so you can report them accurately to professionals.
• Block interior access to attics with closed doors or screens.
• Keep stored items sealed in bins to avoid squirrels nesting in boxes or fabrics.

Why it matters: Preventing indoor spread of nesting materials keeps damage contained and removal faster.

Fast, Humane, and Lasting Squirrel Solutions

Getting rid of squirrels quickly isn’t about rushing with sprays or traps, it’s about following a proven process that clears them out safely and keeps them from coming back. Humane one-way exits, secure sealing, and immediate prevention steps are far more effective than DIY shortcuts. With these methods, homeowners save time, avoid damage, and achieve results that actually last.

AAAC Wildlife Removal specializes in delivering this fast-track approach, combining expert inspections with long-term exclusion. By pairing professional work with simple homeowner actions, squirrel problems can be resolved in days instead of weeks. The fastest way is also the smartest: act quickly, use humane solutions, and rely on experts who get it right the first time.