When you see them scurrying up a tree with an acorn at the park, your first thought might be, “Aw, what an adorable little squirrel.” While many consider these busy rodents entertaining to watch, they can also be destructive and dangerous pests, causing damage to homes, gardens, and landscaping.
There are ten types of squirrels found in the U.S., the most common of which are Red, Eastern, and Western Gray. These species are constantly on the hunt for food, often causing damage along the way. If your home has nut-bearing trees such as oak or walnut around it, there is a good chance you’ve got them nearby. They love eating berries, nuts, and pinecones but also dig up bulbs and vegetables from your garden. They hide their stashes in crevices and holes and often bury them, resulting in new trees. More often than not, they digfake holesto throw off would-be food thieves. Amazingly, they remember which holes have food and which don’t.
Birdwatchers tend to have an issue with them due to their tendency to raid bird feeders, empty them quickly, and scare away birds. The problem here is that squirrels are extremely intelligent. They are both incredibly acrobatic and clever when trying to access food. To this end, many birdfeeders are marketed as “squirrel-proof,” with different designs engineered to outsmart or block access, but unfortunately, the result is damaged or chewed-up birdfeeders.
So why aresquirrelson your property such a problem? It is widely believed that they carry rabies, and while this is possible, it’s not common. However, they often carry other pests, like fleas and ticks, spreading diseases like Lyme, tapeworm, ringworm, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Perhaps the most likely problem a homeowner will have with a squirrel is when they decide to move into your home. Crawling through the tiniest of crevices, they take up residence in attics, soffits, and even chimneys. They chew up insulation to make their nests and can chew through electrical wires, which can be dangerous. Once they move in and set up house, they start reproducing, quickly turning a minor problem into a much larger one. The American Public Power Association reported that in 2016 there were an estimated 3,456 squirrel-related power outages resulting in 193,873 customers losing power.
Serving Cincinnati and the surrounding area, our locally owned and operated business is here to eliminate the squirrel problem from your property and keep them away. Removing them from a house can be challenging and is best left to professionals. Our team removes squirrels and their nests using professional and humane methods after a thorough interior and exterior inspection.
Next, we will prevent the problem from returning by sealing up potential access points, eliminating nesting sites, and removing accessible food and water sources. After completing the job, we offer follow-up inspections and treatments to ensure the measures taken are working effectively. If you are facing a potential infestation, contact us today.
FAQs
Who to Call for Squirrel Removal. Both Orkin and Terminix, two large, nationally recognized pest control services, perform squirrel removal services. Another option is to consider contacting a local wildlife removal company.
How much does it cost to get rid of squirrels? ›
The national average cost ranges from $275 to $600, and most homeowners pay around $350 for the trapping and relocation of a small to medium infestation of squirrels.
Will squirrels eventually leave your attic? ›
Squirrels may eventually leave your attic on their own, but only if it seems inhospitable. You can encourage them to leave with bright lights, noise, and vinegar-soaked rags.
How do professionals remove squirrels from attic? ›
Pest control professionals will install a one-way door over the main entryways that allows the squirrels to leave the attic and go outside. The door will then lock them out, preventing return upon their departure to gather food and water.
How do professionals remove squirrels? ›
If the outdoor population becomes unmanageable and squirrel removal is necessary, the site goes on to say: ‟Live-trapping gray squirrels, using metal box traps at least two feet long is often the most effective way to remove them.
What do squirrels hate the most? ›
Use Strong Odors
Scents like white pepper, black pepper, and garlic are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.
What kills most squirrels? ›
Squirrels fall prey to a number of predators including birds of prey (particularly buzzards and goshawks), foxes, badgers, pine martens, domestic dogs and cats (see Predators). Many die of starvation during poor mast years or are killed on Britain's road network.
What repels squirrels the most? ›
The acetic acid in the vinegar has a strong and unpleasant odor which can repel squirrels from your yard or garden. You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar; make sure to dilute it with water before spraying it around areas where squirrels are known to visit.
Why is squirrel removal so expensive? ›
The initial inspection, the location and accessibility of the nest or entry points, the cleanup or removal of dead squirrels and the damage left by the squirrels can all impact the overall cost.
Is squirrel damage covered by insurance? ›
Homeowners insurance generally only covers wildlife damage caused by animals like deer or bears. Damage from smaller pests like squirrels and other rodents generally isn't covered by your home insurance policy because the infestations are considered preventable.
“Squirrels can be extremely difficult to trap and remove,” Pearson says. If you have nuisance squirrels on your property, a professional trained in wildlife removal will offer a comprehensive service for removal and exclusion. Squirrels, while cute, are wild rodents.
What smell do squirrels hate? ›
Now that we know more about them, we'll discuss the scents they hate! The scents on this list are: Peppermint Oil, Capsaicin, Coffee Grounds, White Vinegar, Garlic, Cinnamon, Predator Urine, Irish Springs Soap, Dryer Sheets, and Rosemary.
What noise scares squirrels out of the attic? ›
Ultrasonic repellers emit high-frequency sounds that are extremely uncomfortable for squirrels. These devices are easy to install and can cover a wide area of your property. The ultrasonic sounds are not harmful to the squirrels, but they will find them intolerable and will eventually leave your garden or attic.
What do squirrels do when their nest is destroyed? ›
If given the opportunity, mother squirrels will usually retrieve their infants one by one and either take them back to the original nest or to an alternate nest if the original nest was destroyed.
What is the most effective squirrel deterrent? ›
Use Strong Odors
Scents like white pepper, black pepper, and garlic are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.
What's the best way to get rid of a squirrel in your house? ›
What should I do if a squirrel gets inside?
- Make noise: If you suspect a squirrel is in your attic or chimney, making loud noises may help scare the squirrel toward the exit, says the Humane Society. ...
- Use vinegar: Try soaking rags with cider vinegar and placing them near the attic door or at the bottom of the fireplace.
The method is also inhumane and can make your squirrel infestation worse in the following ways. Mothballs are very harmful to wildlife. Instead of repelling squirrels from your property, you could end up killing them and leaving their carcass to rot and decompose in your walls or attic.
How much damage can squirrels do in your attic? ›
If they expose live wires, it can cause a risk of fire or electrocution. Even if it simply cuts the power, that's not always a quick fix and can come at very inconvenient times. Structural damage — In order to find a way in, squirrels often chew a hole through fascia board or even through shingles and plywood.
