Squirrels in the Attic?

Question

I have a squirrel (or squirrels) in an inaccessible part of my attic. I can hear it running around above the 2nd floor ceiling in my 50-year-old cape-cod-style house. I have two small attics with sloping ceilings on the sides of the bedrooms upstairs, if you can imagine what I mean. However, there is apparently another small attic above the 2nd floor ceiling, inaccessible from the inside.

A few months ago, I heard one up there. I borrowed an extension ladder, removed the triangular gable vent at one end of the house (looks like this: http://www.architecturaldepot.com/pc/FTRLV48X12/gable-vent-triangle/), and found that the screen previously installed was inadequate; an animal that could fit through the aluminum louvers could easily push the screen out of the way because it was not very secure. I installed new metal screening and stapled it in.

Squirrels are back. I have no idea how they're getting in. How do I get rid of them? Do those high pitch sound things work?

Air (and small animals if they choose) can travel from the attics that I can access to this strange above-the-ceiling-crawlspace-attic that I can access. I already tried setting off insect foggers / "bug bombs" so that the bug spray travels into the attic where they are to scare them off. 3 bug bombs later, they don't seem to care.

It sounds like there's an elephant on the roof; they wake me up every morning at sunrise, making noise walking around on the lose "floorboards" in that tiny attic/ crawlspace.

It's definetly a squirrel because we don't have rats around here - at least I've never seen one, and we have a huge squirrel population in the trees around the property.

I've actually had one fall down the chimney into the gas hot water heater vent. That was disgusting... and a whole other mess to deal with. Needless to say, I have a chimney cap now.

Now they're in the attic. I can't imagine a fake owl scaring them, but I guess I could try it.

Answer 1

you should go to your local animal control and ask for a trap. you then bait the squirl with some food and once you catch it you call the animal control people and they come and take the squirl and the trap. Good luck.

Answer 2

I have the same problem. I was told to call animal control and rent a trap from them. Here that costs $25. - $45. I think, depending on the size.
On the cheaper side, you may find an artificial owl (I've found some at Home Depot) may help you just a bit.
I can't say if the high pitch things work, I have a son that could shatter glass with his scream and that doesn't seem to make them go away (lol).
I hope you find something that works.

Kind of funny about the chimney, yes gross. We spent 2 hrs. chasing a squirrel through our house that had come into a bedroom from the attic door.

Answer 3

I cannot understand you not having an attic access. You may have to hire an exterminator to rid yourself of this critter. Try to not harm this animal, it is natural for them to forrage, I don't know your age so doing what I am going to suggest may not help you. Remove the vent so the animal can escape, get a insect bomb ( one that you can set inside the attic (that kind that will continue to spray if you set it and can leave) observe if the animal leaves, It might be a large RAT? then examinn the screen make sure it has no holes, go completly around the house and see if there are any holes that need to be closed look closely because it only requires a very small hole for most animals to enter. Good luck

Answer 4

Once you’ve determined that there are no squirrels in the attic, close the entry way. If the entrance is a vent, cover the inside of it with 1/2 inch hardware cloth.


Sometimes it isn’t possible to determine when the squirrel has gone in search of food. In that case, you may need to set a trap in the attic or near the entry point. Check local laws and ordinances. In some areas, trapping is regulated by law. Buy a trap that is specifically designed for squirrels and use bait. Many stores that sell the traps also sell bait, although peanut butter or nuts seems to work well. Traps can be purchased at hardware, garden, and major department stores. You can expect to pay between $20.00 to $50.00. Follow the directions on the trap. Wear heavy gloves. Release the animal at least 5 miles away from your home in a wooded area.


Poisoning or shooting squirrels is not a good idea. In many areas local laws and ordinances prohibit these methods. Even if local laws allow it, poisoning isn’t a good solution. You’ll create a potential health hazard for yourself and your family if a squirrel dies inside the house. If it dies outside of your house, it could pose a health hazard to pets or other animals.


Prevent squirrels from gaining or regaining access to your attic with these simple steps:


1) Check your home for possible entry points and repair them.

2) Cover the inside of vents with 1/2 inch hardware cloth.

3) Prune overhanging tree branches back eight to ten feet from the roof.

4) If pruning isn’t possible, place a 2 foot wide metal band around the tree trunk, approximately six to eight feet above the ground at its lower end.

5) Place bird feeders away from your house. Never attach them to your house.

6)If the problem continues, stop using bird feeders. A convenient food source is the major attraction to your yard, and ultimately to your attic.

7) Remove anything that can provide a jumping off point for squirrels, keeping in mind that they can jump distances of five to six feet.


If all else fails or if you aren’t comfortable attempting to resolve the problem yourself, call a pest control specialist. The yellow pages are filled with listings. You can shop around to find one who meets your needs. It's well worth the investment because leaving a squirrel in your attic can cost you much more in the long run.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

Put a rag soaked with Ammonia in the attic. And they will move on.

Answer 7

Attach an owl decoy on your eaves...seriously, this will work. The squirells will think it's a predator and move on.

Answer 8

rat poison is your friend