If you’re hearing rustling sounds in your attic space or spotting chewed electrical wires, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with a squirrel problem. Homeowners across South Louisiana, from Thibodaux to New Orleans, deal with this more than you’d think.
They may seem harmless, but they can cause costly damage and create serious health hazards if ignored. Let’s go over how to get them out of your attic step-by-step, and what to do if these critters refuse to leave.
Key Takeaways
• Squirrels get into attics through gaps in soffits, rooflines, or vents and stay near easy food sources.
• Getting them out involves using one-way doors, repellents, traps, and identifying where they are nesting inside.
• Blocking all entry points with squirrel-proof materials is key to keeping new wildlife from returning to the attic.
• Calling a pest control company is best when squirrels stay, cause damage, or the infestation becomes hard to manage.
Identify Access Points and Entry Routes
Your first job is figuring out how squirrels are getting into your attic. They typically enter through broken soffits, gaps in fascia boards, uncovered vents, or even through loose shingles along the roofline.
Other common access points include chimneys, eaves, and around the gutters, especially if tree branches are within jumping distance.
Mark every hole and crack. You’ll seal them up later, but not before removal.
Remove Nearby Sources of Food
To get rid of squirrels effectively, you need to take away the reasons they’re sticking around. That starts with cleaning up outdoor sources of food.
Acorns, open trash bins, and especially bird feeders can keep squirrels coming back. Even compost piles and pet food bowls can attract them. Relocate feeders at least 20 feet from the house and ensure your trash is sealed tightly.
Install a One-Way Door to Evict Them
After confirming there are no baby squirrels inside, install a one-way door at the main access point. These devices allow squirrels to exit but block re-entry. If you’re dealing with red squirrels or flying squirrels, both known for being persistent, you may need to combine this with other methods.
A one-way door is one of the most humane tools available in squirrel removal.
Use Squirrel Repellents and Deterrents
To discourage squirrels from nesting, use deterrents that make your attic an uninviting place. Bright lights, a strobe light, and loud sounds can all help.
Some folks use squirrel repellent sprays that are safe for indoor use, while others turn to mothballs for their strong odor.
Just make sure anything you use won’t linger too long in your attic space or make it unsafe for your family.
Set Squirrel Traps When Necessary
If you still hear activity, you may need to set squirrel traps or live traps baited with peanut butter.
Place traps along runways, near squirrel nests, or where droppings have been found. This can be especially useful if you suspect gray squirrels or baby squirrels are still hiding out.
Louisiana law allows for humane trapping, but always check regulations if you plan to relocate wild animals.
Seal Everything With Squirrel-Proof Materials
Once the squirrels are gone, it’s time to prevent them from coming back.
Seal every access point with sheet metal, wire mesh, or metal flashing, materials that they can’t chew through. Pay extra attention to soffits, fascia, roof vents, and any area showing signs of gnawing.
They can rip right through wood, so tough materials are a must to keep them out.
What to Do if the Squirrels Won’t Leave
If you’ve followed all the steps and still hear scratching, spotting droppings, or catching glimpses of bushy tails in your attic space, it’s time to go beyond basic DIY.
Here’s what to do when they won’t leave, or when the situation turns out to be more complicated than you thought:
Check for Baby Squirrels Before Sealing
Sometimes what sounds like one squirrel is a full family.
If you seal entry points while baby squirrels are still inside, you could end up with dead animals in your attic and a mother frantically trying to chew her way back in.
Listen for high-pitched squeaks.
If in doubt, wait a few weeks or call a pest control company with experience in wildlife removal.
Schedule a Professional Inspection
Still hearing noises or finding new droppings?
It might not even be squirrels, you could be dealing with raccoons, bats, or other wild animals. A professional wildlife removal company can inspect your home and pinpoint the exact problem.
Don’t Underestimate the Damage From an Infestation
One squirrel nest can lead to chewed wires, damaged insulation, and fleas spreading into your home. The longer you wait, the worse it gets. Even one gray squirrel can cause serious structural damage if left unchecked.
If the infestation is bad enough, attic restoration may be necessary to clean up the mess and ensure a healthy home.
Prioritize Long-Term Home Improvement Solutions
Once your attic is squirrel-free, take steps to squirrel-proof your home. Trim back tree branches near the roof, reinforce vulnerable areas with metal flashing, and install mesh screens over attic vents.
These home improvement steps may seem small, but they’re critical for keeping squirrels and other critters out long-term.
Call In a Local Wildlife Company for Stubborn Cases
Sometimes, DIY efforts just don’t cut it. If you’ve tried squirrel traps, repellents, and blocked entry points with no success, it’s time to call a licensed exterminator.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we offer same-day squirrel removal services for homes across Southeast Louisiana. Whether you’re in Houma or Hammond, we’ll help you evict those squirrels and keep them gone.
Whether you’re dealing with red squirrels, flying squirrels, or just a determined gray squirrel, we’ve got the tools and experience to handle it all.
With locations throughout South Louisiana and a same-day guarantee, we’ll get rid of squirrels before they cause more damage.
Don’t wait for more damage, reach out to our team for fast, local help.
