What should I do about squirrels in my attic? We are aware of the
option of purchasing sonic devices and traps (and there are many other
answers in Google devoted to those), and thus, we do not need more
information about sonic devices or traps. We have had them in our
attic now for over 1 month.  We have found the hole they chewed to
get in, and have closed it up (repeatedly). However, it appears that
this last time that we closed up the hole, 1 or more squirrels were in
the attic at the time.  Now I hear them gnawing various places trying
to get out. Assuming that they are unsuccessful in gnawing another
hole to get out, how long will it take until they die up there? Should
we allow this to happen? (Will it reek if they die up there?) Should
we try poisons? Mothballs?  Help!

Ok mikethemysterious, 

It's time to take back the attic. They may be cute, but they have to
go.


STEP 1 – GET THE EXISTING SQUIRRELS OUT

No, you don't want to just leave them up there until they die. Besides
the fact that starving a squirrel to death isn't very nice, it's going
to be messy for you. First, they've probably hoarded enough food up
there to last well into spring. Second, they are going defecate and
urinate all over your attic, chew up everything they can get their
little teeth into (including your wiring), and be an ongoing source of
noise.

Finally, unless you live in a really hot dry climate like PinkFreud
says, decaying squirrel bodies are not something you want to smell!
Reek is an understatement. Not to mention, leak. With no carnivores up
there to eat them up, those carcasses may descend into slow rot that
could last for weeks.

So, you're going to have to open up that hole you sealed and let them
out. A scared squirrel is a frantic squirrel, so your quickest bet is
to open a hole to the outside at one end of the attic, and scare them
from the other end. Trust me, they'll head for freedom.

In fact, they're probably eager to get out without being chased. You
really shouldn't have to drive them out. Squirrels naturally forage
during the day, so once you open up a hole, they'll just go.

But you need to act fast. We're quickly moving into breeding season
(March) and if they set up housekeeping in your attic, their going to
be much more reluctant to move on.  Not to mention, you'll have a
whole passel of younguns to deal with. In fact, we're close enough to
March that you should really check first to make sure there's not a
nest up there. If there is, you'll need to call a pest control or
wildlife professional to remove them.


STEP 2— PREVENT THEM FROM COMING BACK

Once you get everyone out, you have to keep them out. If they leave on
their own to forage, they'll be back by bedtime, so this is a one day
project.

First, seal up all the holes you can find with wire mesh. Buy "rat"
wire or "hardware cloth" at the hardware store. It has a good strong
mesh that rodents can chew through. (Chicken wire isn't strong
enough.) Make sure the patch goes at least 6" beyond the edges of the
hole in all directions. Leave no loose edges that they can wriggle
under and pry loose.

Second, and this is key, figure out how the squirrels are getting
access to holes that high up on your house. They can't fly, so they're
climbing there somehow.

As an example:  I had problems with squirrels coming down off of my
roof and onto the birdfeeder. I kept rigging covers for the feeder but
they always managed outmaneuver me. Then one day they just stopped
coming. It turns out, our neighbor cut down a large bush that had been
close enough to my house that the squirrels could jump from it to my
roof. With that bush gone, the squirrels had no way to get to my roof.
 End of problem.

So look closely at your property.  Maybe there is a single limb of a
tree you could trim to foil their access. Or a child's swing set that
could be moved.  Are they climbing a rain gutter? Are they jumping
from your car? Are they getting onto your roof and coming down to the
hole or are they climbing straight up to the hole?  How are they
getting up there?

So work the problem from that end too. Find ways to block them from
every access point ---From climbing up the tree; From jumping to the
roof; From climbing down from the roof to the hole; From getting in
the hole.

One of those blocks is sure to stop them. 

LAST RESORT  ---

The squirrels have moved in to your attic because it is warm, dark and
cozy. If you can't prevent them from coming back, then make their life
there miserable so they move of their own accord.

Bright lights, radio playing, fan blowing air and dust around or cold
air in, smelly mothballs, lack of bedding, daily destroyed nest, and
an occasional visit by your (or a friend's) cat, can all make your
squirrel heaven into squirrel hell.


IF ALL ELSE FAILS ---------

Engage a professional.  I can't imagine you'd have to. Usually the
professionals are only needed to physically remove animals. I don't
think that's going to be a problem for you. Your problem will be the
Return of the Squirrels. And for this you just need to know your
enemy. Watch them and learn their ways and I have no doubt you'll be
able to keep them out for once and for all.



FURTHER INFO ----------

Nuisance Wildlife Removal
Information on Problem Squirrels
http://www.nuisancewildlife.net/squirrel.htm


Keep Squirrels Out
http://www.havahart.com/nuisance/squirrels/squirrel_exclusion.htm

NUISANCE WILDLIFE SOLUTIONS - ATTIC
http://wildliferehabber.com/nuisance4.htm#attic


CONTROLLING NUISANCE SQUIRRELS
http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/landown/wild/nuisance/squirrel/



That should be everything you need to know to permanently eveict your
unwanted upstairs neighbors.

Thanks for your question –

K~

Search terms:

Nuisance squirrel attic

In New Zealand we have the same problem, but with possums. Once one
got stuck in the wall cavity next to where I slept. It died. It stunk.
Free the squirrels!

If the squirrels die in your attic, they may or may not cause an odor
problem, depending on how humid the attic is. If the attic is very
dry, the squirrels' bodies are likely to desiccate, and you'll end up
with relatively odor-free mummified squirrels.

However, if the attic is humid, the dead squirrels may cause an odor
that will persist for years because it has permeated the insulation.
This happened to me once when my home had a rodent infestation; the
stench was dreadful, and although it diminished over time, it lasted
for over a decade.

I suggest that you contact a professional pest exterminator. This kind
of situation is something that is difficult to handle safely and
effectively by the homeowner. Be particularly cautious about any toxic
substances that you place in the attic: you may end up breathing some
of that air.

Hey, catch those little fellas and eat 'em. Squirrel meat is some
mighty tasty vittles. :D

The New Zealand possum problem described by robertskelton exists in
Texas too. A couple of years ago, I thought I smelled something not
completely delightful in my house, but it wasn't too bad most of the
time and I couldn't locate it amongst all the insulation in the attic,
so I did nothing.

Until, that is, an old friend came to town on business, and I put him
in the guest room. He came out a couple of minutes later and asked if
there was somewhere else he could hang his suit. Seems there was an
incredible stink inside the guest room clothes closet. After he left
(less than impressed by my accomodations, I'm sure), I ventured into
the attic again, now having a more specific target area, and found the
possum carcass right over the guest closet. Even now, I get a little
queasy remembering that cleanup.

You definitely don't want to try to find and remove dead animals from
your attic. I hope you're able to convince your attic livestock to
leave voluntarily :)