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How To Get Rid Of Squirrels Without
Killing Them
In their natural habitats, seeing squirrels
scampering up tree trunks and scavenging for nuts
and fruits is actually a very pleasant sight, but
in many cases when they come into urban or
suburban areas these little animals can then
become a real nuisance. They are amazingly
talented climbers, so when they do become a
problem they will usually be in areas of
properties that are above ground level, and the
most common squirrel problem will be to have them
nesting or active in a loft or roof space. There
are several different ways to get rid of the
squirrels, and because of the techniques, it is
actually easier to get rid of squirrels without
killing them.
Trapping Or Exclusion?
Squirrels will be attracted to attics and loft
spaces because they will view these areas as being
a safe place to make a nest, while it is also
usually dark and fairly warm, which also are
attractive to squirrels in a nesting spot. The two
methods of getting rid of squirrels will be
trapping and exclusion, and both have their
merits. Exclusion has the benefit of not requiring
you to transport and deal with the live squirrels,
while trapping has the benefit of allowing you to
take the squirrels and relocate them well away
from your property. In truth, the technique for
both is actually quite similar in terms of the
execution of the work.
Setting Up Repeater Traps To Remove
Squirrels
The first step in successfully trapping squirrels
is to thoroughly examine the loft or roof space
both from the interior and exterior, to find all
of the points that the squirrels are using to get
in and out of the property. Once you are confident
that you have located all of these points, you
will then need to seal the majority of these, and
only leave one or two of the holes still open.
After you have done this, install a repeater trap
over the remaining holes, and use a wire mesh to
make sure that the squirrels trying to leave the
property can only get into the trap itself.
Learn more about successful approaches in removing squirrels: Three Successful Approaches to Removing Squirrels on the Roof
Excluding Squirrels From A Property
The first step of exclusion work is almost exactly
the same as the process of trapping the squirrel safely,
as you will need to examine the attic or loft
space to find all of the points the squirrels are
using to get in and out. The next step is then to
seal most of the holes the squirrels are using to
get in and out, and then to install exclusion
funnels over the remaining holes, which will allow
the squirrels out, but prevent them from getting
back in. Once you can no longer see any signs of
squirrel activity in the attic, make sure you
carry out a search of the attic or loft space, in
case there is a nest with baby squirrels that will
also need to be removed.
Repairs And Sealing The Attic To Prevent
Future Infestations
Once you are sure that all of the squirrels have
been removed from the property, you will then need
to carry out any required professional repairs, and also seal
the area to prevent other squirrels from getting
in. When you are sealing the holes used by the
squirrel make sure you use sturdy materials that
will stand the test of time, as squirrels and
other pest animals can exploit small holes that
have been poorly repaired. You may need to check
on the wires that are located in the roof space in
case they have been gnawed by squirrels, and you
may also need to remove and replace any insulation
that has been heavily soiled by the little
creatures.
For more information, you may want to click on one
of these guides that I wrote:
How
much does squirrel removal cost? - get the
lowdown on prices.
How
to get rid of squirrels - my main squirrel
removal info guide.
Example
squirrel trapping photographs - get
do-it-yourself ideas.
Squirrel
job blog - learn from great examples of
squirrel jobs I've done.
Everything You Need to Know About Squirrels to Get Rid of Them