A squirrel seems cute at first, with their soft, fluffy tails and tiny paws. However, they can quickly become a nuisance. They steal the seed out of your bird feeders, and they even find ways of getting into the attic and making a mess. Below are some tips for how to keep squirrels under control in your yard.

Signs of Infestation

There are a few telltale signs that squirrels have made their way into your attic. The first and most obvious being scratching noises heard overhead. Squirrels love to dig and create nests, and unfortunately for you blown attic insulation is very attractive for this purpose. Other signs include an occasional thump or thud as they jump from nearby tree branches on your roof or even knock things over in the attic. You might also notice some damage around the fascia board and shingles where they have likely found a way in. Lastly, and most unpleasant of all, you may notice droppings strewn about throughout the attic.

Removal

The best way to keep squirrels out of your attic is sealing up entry points. These holes may be very small and difficult to spot, so you should contact a professional pest control company. They will humanely relocate any squirrels that may be in your attic, then seal any access points to prevent re-entry. Of course, the best way to keep them out of the home is to deal with them in the yard first.

Yard Control

To keep squirrels from getting out of control in your yard, there are a few practical steps you can take to make them keep their distance.

Plant herbs and flowers that squirrels hate.

There are several plants that you can use to keep squirrels at bay. These include mint, daffodils, snowdrops, and hyacinth.

Use squirrel repellent

There are commercially available squirrel repellents that you can use, though you should not use them on anything you grow to eat. You can also try putting capsaicin on or near plants to deter pesky critters from partaking.

Use natural deterrents

Install a motion activated sprinkler system to spray any squirrels that get to close. Also, it does not hurt to have a dog or cat nearby to chase away any unwanted critter visitors.

Remove what attracts them

Squirrels are drawn in by the sight and smell of fallen fruit and nuts from your trees. Keep your yard raked and the loose fruit and nuts out will make your yard much less appealing.

Do not feed them

As enjoyable as it may be to bird watch, putting out a birdfeeder is asking for squirrels to partake. If you really want to draw birds to your yard, make sure to get a birdfeeder that is squirrel-proof.

Trap them

Lastly, when all else fails it is time to call in the professionals who will come in and humanely remove any squirrels that have made themselves a little too comfortable in your home. They will also give you some pointers on what is attracting them and how to remedy it.

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