5 Quick Tips to Keep Squirrels Away

They’re cute. They can also be very annoying. And sometimes, they can be downright destructive.

No, I’m not talking about your kids. I’m talking about squirrels.

Squirrels are a part of life in BC, including Metro Vancouver. The red squirrel is native to British Columbia, but they are gradually being displaced by the nonnative gray squirrel. 

Specifically, it’s the eastern grey squirrel which is the major pest in the region. And these squirrels can cause significant damage. Usually, this happens in the spring during the mating season. As Mike Londry, owner of Westside Pest Control, said in a recent interview with Vancouver is Awesome, squirrels often come inside at this time of year and wreak havoc in people’s attics. Damaging the roof to get inside or even chewing on exposed wires, which can put you at increased risk of house fires.

Unfortunately, they can quickly go from being a cute addition to your garden to a major pest on your property.

All Squirrels want is a cosy spot, free from predators to make their den and raise their young. 

It’s true and this is why they gravitate to homes and businesses in our local communities. And while squirrels won’t usually nest in your living room, they will happily raise a family in your attic or crawlspace.

Keeping squirrels away can be a challenge. But here are some things to try to keep these bushy-tailed invaders at bay. 

#1 Stop feeding squirrels

Feed them, and they will come. That’s as true of annoying guests at Thanksgiving as it is of pests like squirrels.

Squirrels are opportunistic feeders that will take advantage of any plant-based food source in their environment. In the natural world, squirrels feed on fruits and nuts from the trees they live in, so if you have fruit bearing trees, your yard is already an attractive place for squirrels to hang out. Cut back these trees and make sure you gather up any fallen fruit as quickly as possible to make your property less attractive.

Birdfeeders are also a common place for squirrels to get food. If you want to keep squirrels away but still want to feed the birds, invest in a squirrel-proof bird feeder, but make sure you regularly clean up any fallen seeds underneath the feeder, as these can provide a great food source for squirrels.

And don’t forget about water. Removing water sources from your yard will also help keep squirrels away.

TLDR Checklist:

• Be proactive about removing fallen fruits from yard
• Try squirrels-proof bird feeders
• Remove standing water sources like pet bowls

#2 Trim back branches in contact with property

Generally, squirrels like to stay off the ground and in trees where they feel safe. That means they usually enter homes from the roof.

To a squirrel, the branches of trees on your property are like a highway they can use to get anywhere they want without exposing themselves to predators by coming down to ground level.

So if you want to keep squirrels from getting inside your home, cut back tree branches that touch your house.

Remember that squirrels are excellent jumpers (​​can jump as far as nine feet horizontally!). So where possible, cut the tree branches back by about three meters so that squirrels can’t jump the gap.

Using tree branches is the most common way for squirrels to access your home, but it’s not the only way. The same applies to overgrown vegetation at ground level. Cutting back bushes and shrubs will not only help make your house less attractive to squirrels, but it will also reduce the chances of you having to deal with rats and mice. Now that’s an awesome 3 for 1 tip!

TLDR: 

• Cut back branches on trees in close proximity to home.
• Trim vegetation and shrubbery too. 

#3 Use squirrel repellents

If removing food and shelter isn’t enough to discourage the squirrels from coming onto your property, you may need to get a little more aggressive. 

Repellents can work great. However, these resourceful animals are quick at learning what is and isn’t a threat, so using repellent may not work for long.

Motion-activated sprinklers can be an effective way to scare squirrels off. The sprinklers start up when they detect motion in their field of view and spray the animal with a jet of water. Often, that can be enough to discourage the squirrels from getting any closer to your home, but it doesn’t harm them either.

There’s some anecdotal evidence around natural scented oils as a squirrel repellent. Homemade remedies like peppermint oil or a mix of garlic and vinegar might work as natural deterrents — squirrels are put off by these smells. You could also look at using rags soaked in cider vinegar. 

TLDR:

• Try motion-activated sprinklers or lights 
• Try home remedies like peppermint oil 

#4 Block up holes in roof

Squirrels like to use existing holes in the roof to get inside your attic, although they are capable of chewing existing holes to make them big enough to fit. So to keep them out permanently, you’ll need to get on your roof and take a look for any holes squirrels might use.

See blog: Common Rodent entryways and how to block them off

Pay special attention to junctions where one part of the roof meets another, as these are often not closed off as well as they should be. Squirrels only need to be able to get their head through a hole, and the rest of their body will follow, which means any hole bigger than around 1¼ inch should be closed off. You can do this using a roof patch or quarter-inch galvanized steel mesh.

Tracking down every hole a squirrel can use can be tricky if you’ve never done it before. Consider hiring a professional like the experienced technicians at Westside Pest Control to keep these animals out of your home. 

TLDR:

• Finding access points is tricky without a ladder to get up high.
• Affix galvanized mesh or metal flashing over entryways 
• Call a professional, if you are afraid of heights

#5 But, what if they’re already inside?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. But maybe it’s too late to deter squirrels, and they are already in your attic. If that’s the case, you’re going to need to remove them.

One-way doors

It’s illegal to harm the squirrels, so you need to remove them humanely. Generally, that means blocking off all the holes they use except for one, and then installing a one-way door that lets squirrels leave to forage for food, but won’t let them back inside.

Live traps

Live traps are another option. But they are tricky to use, require active monitoring, and anyway who likes dealing with the removal once caught – not many of us! 

A trapping permit is not required for live trapping on private property. You just need to be aware that there are relocation rules. Live-trapped Eastern Grey Squirrels must be relocated within 1km from where caught. You can buy traps in your local hardware store, or online. The size of trap suitable to capture Eastern Grey Squirrels is 7″ x 8″ x 24″. 

Killing traps are not allowed within 200m of a dwelling or anywhere that they might accidentally harm red squirrels. 

“CAUTION WHEN USING ENTRYWAY EXCLUSION:

Proceed with caution if you are attempting entryway exclusions: Blocking up holes at this point can do more harm than good. Blocking up a hole while the mother squirrel is outside can cause more harm than good. The mother squirrel can do a lot of damage to your roof as she tries to get inside back to her offspring. Plus, you don’t want to kill a bunch of baby squirrels in your attic and then have to deal with the guilt that comes with it.”

Parting words

It’s important to be aware of these behavioural nuances as well as seasonal nesting habits before you embark on a big squirrel exclusion project yourself. So, it’s often best left to a trained professional. So, if you need assistance managing squirrel issues at your property, give us a call. 

Getting Rid Of Squirrels In Roof

If squirrels have made it into your roof, you’re dealing with more than a quick fix. Once they’re inside, they settle in fast and start treating your attic like a long-term rental.

Start by confirming the entry point. Look for chewed openings along roof edges, vents, or soffits. Then use a one-way exclusion door so they can leave but not get back in.

After you’re sure they’re out, seal the hole properly. Skip this step and you’ll be repeating the whole process again in a few weeks.

How Do I Get Rid Of Squirrels Permanently

“Permanently” comes down to making your home not worth the effort.

Squirrels are opportunists. If your roof is easy to access and your yard offers food, they’ll keep coming back. Trim branches away from your home, secure food sources, and reinforce weak spots along your roofline.

Pair that with proper exclusion work and you break the cycle. They’ll move on to an easier target down the street.

Westside Pro Tip

Don’t rush to block the hole the moment you find it.

If squirrels are actively using that entry, there’s a good chance babies are inside, especially in spring. Seal it too early and the adults will panic and chew new exits. Or worse, you trap young ones inside, which leads to smell issues you really don’t want.

Watch for a full day or two. Make sure everyone’s out before you lock the door.

Liked this post?

Check out some other pest resources. 

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How to keep squirrels out of the home

Squirrels made a mess of your property? Read more about our pest clean-up service.

FAQs

Will squirrels leave my roof on their own?

Sometimes they move on, but it’s not something to count on. If they’ve found a warm, safe attic, they tend to stick around, especially during nesting season. Waiting it out usually leads to more damage. It’s better to take action early before they settle in deeper.

What smells keep squirrels away?

Strong scents like peppermint oil or vinegar can make areas less appealing for a short time. The problem is they fade quickly and squirrels get used to them. Smells alone won’t solve an active problem, but they can help as part of a bigger prevention plan.

How do I know if squirrels are gone from my attic?

Listen for activity during early morning and evening when they’re most active. No scratching, no movement, no new droppings is a good sign. You can also check entry points for fresh chewing. If things stay quiet for a few days, you’re likely in the clear.