How long will it take to remove squirrels from a building?

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One of the most common types of infestations to be found in areas of properties above ground level is a squirrel infestation, and while at first glance these little creatures can appear to be cute, when they are in your home the damage they can cause certainly is not. There are several variables when it comes to dealing with each infestation, with the number of animals certainly having an influence on how long it will take to remove the squirrels. However, when done correctly a squirrel infestation isn’t one that should take too long to deal with, as long as you are thorough in the work that you are carrying out.



The Best Method Of Removing Squirrels

In the vast majority of squirrel infestations, it will be in the attic that these little rodents will be located, which means that it gives you a good idea of where to start. The first part of the process is to carry out a detailed survey around the roof-line of the property, looking for any holes, which can be quite small, that the squirrels are using to get in and out. You will then need to seal most of these entry holes, and over the remaining one or two access point, you should install a one-way funnel or exclusion netting, which will allow the squirrels out and then prevent them from being able to get back in to the property.

How Long Will This Take To Be Successful?

This approach to dealing with a squirrel infestation can actually be very successful, and in some cases the results that you can see will take only a few days. Once you have installed the exclusion measures, you will need to monitor the attic or loft cavity regularly for signs of activity, and it is also worth checking to make sure there aren’t any nests of squirrel babies remaining, as in some cases, these may also need to be removed. Once you are confident that there are no more signs of squirrel activity present, remove the funnels or netting, and seal these remaining holes to prevent other animals from being able to get in. Still an issue? Some squirrels are attracted to bird feeders.

Learn more about squirrels living in ubran and rural environments: Do more squirrels live in urban areas, or wild areas?

What Could Go Wrong?

One of the most common failures in this approach is simple - squirrels can access the attic through very small holes, and in some cases these holes don’t always have to be around the roof-line, so if they can still get back in the exclusion materials will be ineffective. This can mean you may have to be persistent, and look for signs of where the squirrels have been active, to give you clues about where the remaining access holes are. Squirrels are also quite clever and adaptable creatures too, so in some cases they may also be able to find an alternative way of getting into the attic or loft cavity of the property.

Alternative Methods Of Removing Squirrels From A Building

While exclusion is the approach that generally works best with squirrels, if you have a situation where there are quite a few animals, or you have a larger property with lots of access holes, then using repeater traps is another possible option. This will involve installing a one-way cage trap over some of the holes, and then removing the squirrels caught in these traps over a regular basis. You certainly shouldn’t try to use poison or any type of repellent when dealing with squirrels, as repellents are generally ineffective, and poison will often cause more problems in terms of dealing with animal carcasses than it will actually solve in your building.
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.
Ammonia as Squirrel Deterrent - The Truth You Won't Find Online
Bright Lights & Squirrels: Do They Work?
Ways to Kill Squirrels on Your Property