Squirrels are often considered cute creatures. It can be fun to watch them playing outdoors. When they’re in your house, though, it becomes a totally different story.

Squirrels often get trapped in attics. They may use your attic as shelter and as a storage area for nuts and other foods. When squirrels infest your home, you can’t ignore the problem. You need to take quick action to remove them. Otherwise, squirrels can cause damage to wiring and insulation in your home. They can also gnaw through wood and contaminate your home with their urine and feces, which may contain parasites and salmonella.

Squirrels can be annoying. Here are some steps to keep these critters out of your attic this fall, when the weather cools down and they start to hibernate.

Keeping Squirrels Out of Your Home

Your best defense for squirrels is to keep them out of your home in the first place. Here are some steps to take:

• Trim trees near your roofline. Squirrels get onto your home by climbing trees. By trimming them, you can keep squirrels off your roof and out of your attic.
• Use a repellent. Repellents are good ways to keep squirrels away from your home. Combine garlic, vinegar, and water to create a potent liquid that you can spray around the perimeter of your home to keep out squirrels.
• Seal entry points. Squirrels can enter your home through small gaps in the home. Take a look at the exterior of your home and use caulk and other materials to seal up any holes you see. Do a thorough assessment of your attic and roof areas, as this is where squirrels will often enter a home.
• Get rid of bird feeders. Bird feeders tend to attract squirrels. Ingredients such as sunflower seeds, nuts, and corn are especially attractive to squirrels. At the very least, you may want to consider changing the type of food you use as well as investing in a squirrel-proof bird feeder.
• Get a plastic owl. Squirrels are scared of owls. If you don’t have a real one handy, a plastic one placed on your fence or roof can help scare squirrels away from your yard.
• Use a motion-activated sprinkler system. This can be a handy way to get rid of not just squirrels, but any animal that comes into your yard. A motion-activated sprinkler system will spray animals when they come close to your yard. However, keep in mind that your cats and dogs may be victims of a spray attack as well.

Contact Us Today

When squirrels take up residence in your home, it can be frustrating. Don’t try to handle it on your own.

Leave squirrel removal for the professionals at Environmental Pest Control. Getting rid of these animals is not easy, as there is a multi-step process involved. From squirrel removal to cleanup, we do it all. Schedule a consultation today by calling (540) 441-7397. We serve the Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia areas.