Nuts about Safety: Squirrel Removal Tips for a Happy Home!
Squirrels may be cute when they scurry around your yard collecting nuts, but they’re far from it when they burrow into your car engine or even your home. With sharp teeth and exceedingly adept paws, squirrels can damage your property in a short time. If you’re struggling with these furry little creatures, you’re not alone. Here, at Shumaker, we specialize in humane animal control to help our customers reclaim their peace and tranquility. In this blog, we’ll discuss some safe and effective squirrel removal tips for a happy home.
First, is there a Squirrel in Your Home?
Knowing the signs of a squirrel invasion is the first step toward effective squirrel removal. Here are some tell-tale signs that you’ve got a squirrel problem:
- Noises: If you hear scratching or rustling sounds in your attic, walls, or crawl spaces during early morning or late evening, squirrels might be active.
- Droppings: Spotting small, round pellets, larger than rat droppings, could suggest a squirrel presence in your home.
- Damage to Property: Chewed wires, wood, or insulation are signs of squirrels gnawing to keep their teeth sharp.
- Nest Material: Spotting leaves, twigs, or other nesting materials in your attic or crawl spaces may indicate a squirrel infestation.
- Food Debris: Finding nutshells or fruit pieces in odd places could be a sign of squirrels.
- Signs of Entry: Small holes or damages to your roof, siding, vents, or chimney could be squirrel entry points.
- Foul Odors: A noticeable and unpleasant smell, particularly potent if a squirrel dies, could suggest a squirrel presence in your home.
Safe and Effective Squirrel Removal Tips for a Happy Home
1. Inspect Your Home and Seal Off Entry Points
Did you know that squirrels can squeeze through small holes or gaps? So, regularly check your house for any signs of squirrels, including their entry points. Check your roof, vents, and the areas around windows and doors. When you identify potential entry points, seal them off.
2. Plant a Variety of Squirrel-Proof Flowers
Surprisingly enough, there are certain plants that squirrels don’t like. Even though squirrels aren’t usually fussy eaters, planting these might help keep them away from your yard:
- Daffodils
- Fritillaries
- Geraniums
- Hyacinth
- Galanthus
- Lily-of-the-Valley
These flowers are either brightly colored or have a strong smell that squirrels don’t like. By planting them around your garden or trees, you can help protect your greenery from squirrels and make your yard look even nicer.
3. Use Strong Odors
Squirrels don’t like the smell of things like white pepper, black pepper, garlic, and even sweet things like peppermint. Try spraying your plants with water and then adding pepper or peppermint oil to keep the squirrels away. If it works, keep doing it as often as you need to, and remember you’ll have to do it again after it rains.
4. Use Squirrel Deterrents
Squirrels get scared if they smell something that smells like a dangerous animal. You can buy special sprays that smell like these animals. For instance, sprays that smell like coyote or red fox pee work the best. Try using towels soaked in apple cider vinegar to scare away the squirrels in your attic. The strong smell will keep them away, but you’ll have to keep changing the towels to make sure it keeps working.
- Keep Your Home Free from Food Sources and Debris
Like all animals, squirrels are attracted to food. Store all food, including pet food in airtight containers. Keep your garbage bins sealed and clean up any fallen fruit or nuts from your yard. You should also consider trimming any tree branches within your house to prevent squirrels from accessing your roof or attic.
Get Professional Squirrel Removal Services at Shumaker
For better results, it’s best to leave squirrel removal to the professionals. At Shumaker’s Animal Control, our team of skilled experts has the necessary training and tools to handle squirrel infestations effectively and humanely. We not only remove the squirrels but also identify and secure entry points to prevent future invasions. Get in touch by filling out our contact form or calling us at 443-854-8072 to learn more about our services.
