To some, squirrels are cute, energetic little creatures scampering around in nature. But if you've ever experienced some of the damage squirrels can cause, you might not have such a rosy view of them.
Unfortunately, squirrels can be a significant and persistent pest and they reproduce quickly. If not controlled, they'll create a large population that can cause serious damage to your home and garden. Taking steps to get rid of a squirrel population can take a number of forms. There are professional services available, as well as remedies you're able to put into place yourself. Sometimes, it will take a combination of techniques to get squirrel removal under control.
Information. Squirrels may look small and harmless, but they can do major damage to a home, garden or both. Probably the most common issue with squirrels is that they have a propensity for getting into the attics of houses. Squirrels are able to gnaw through plastic, wood and other materials. They can slip through tiny holes to gain access to the interior. Once inside, squirrels can cause harm in a number of ways. Squirrels are known for gnawing through wiring and also chew through insulation. Any furniture or items in your attic is also vulnerable. They'll do damage to your attic's exterior as well. Outside, squirrels are one of the worst pests if you're growing certain kinds of gardens. They eat a wide range of fruits and vegetables, and are nimble climbers able to get just about anywhere they want. It's almost impossible to keep a squirrel away from a food source it's interested in.
How to Trap a Squirrel. If you're looking into controlling a squirrel population, one option is to trap the squirrels. The most humane type of squirrel trap is a live trap, in which the squirrel is captured and then relocated far away from the site where it was caught. Live squirrel traps come in a few varieties, but most look like a rectangular metal wire box with either one or two doors. In the center of the trap is a mechanism to trap the squirrels. When the squirrel touches the trigger the door or doors will swing shut, trapping the squirrel. A squirrel trap is usually baited with peanut butter or peanuts. But any food squirrels are attracted to will work. If you're going to set a squirrel trap, it's important to check it fairly frequently. Squirrels trapped too long will suffer from thirst and hunger. When handling the trap after catching a squirrel, you should always wear strong gloves, as a trapped squirrel will bite. Squirrel bites can transmit a handful of diseases, of which rabies is the most serious.
Releasing Elsewhere. Once you've captured a squirrel, you'll want to relocate it elsewhere so that it won't trouble your property again. There are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when doing so. First of all, check your local statutes and laws to see what your area permits when it comes to releasing trapped squirrels. It's likely that you would not be permitted to release squirrels into a residential area far from your own. Squirrels create nests, and if given the chance would rather return to their comfortable and known habitats. To prevent them from coming back to your property, pick a release site at least 10 miles away. While a squirrel can backtrack a few miles at most, they won't return from that distance. A good place to release trapped squirrels would be a nature preserve or forest in your local area.
Hiring a Pro. Many pest services exist, and almost all of them address squirrel infestations. If a squirrel population is invading your home, the best option might be to hire a professional to get rid of them. The upsides to using a professional include the fact that you don't have to deal with the squirrels yourself, as well as the peace of mind that the job will be done correctly. Pest control services have tried-and-true methods for getting rid of squirrels. Of course, hiring a professional means paying for that service, and this often isn't cheap. If you've got the disposable income to hire a pest control service, it's a good option. But if you don't have any wiggle room in your budget, you can deal with the problem yourself.
DIY squirrel removal. As discussed earlier, buying and deploying live squirrel traps is one way to deal with a squirrel population. But there are a number of other DIY remedies that can deal with a squirrel population. More technical solutions include devices that emit ultrasonic noises undetectable to humans. Squirrels hear at a higher frequency, and are bothered by the sound. Strobe lights are another irritant to squirrels that can keep them far away. The urine of foxes, cats, dogs or other predators can also frighten squirrels, as can cat litter. The smell of a predator can act as a deterrent. Finally, certain foods like garlic, hot peppers and apple cider vinegar produce smells and tastes that squirrels find very displeasing. Putting them in a squirrel infested area can drive away the squirrels.