Table of Contents
- Average Squirrel Removal Costs
- Squirrel Relocation Cost
- Squirrel Trap Cost
- Squirrel Exclusion Door
- Dead Squirrel Removal Cost
- 4 Factors That Impact Squirrel Removal Costs
- DIY Squirrel Removal vs. Professional Removal Costs
- 10 Signs That You Have a Squirrel Infestation
- 3 Pest Control Companies to Look Into
- How to Prevent Squirrels
- How to Find Squirrel Removal Near Me
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Squirrels are active, gregarious and may look cuter than other home invaders, but are just as harmful. Close to 800 home fires per year are caused by wild animal activity, including squirrels chewing through wires. Plus, squirrel droppings pose health risks, such as leptospirosis or salmonella. The average cost of squirrel removal is $850, with a high cost of around $1,550 and a low cost of $150. It’s crucial to remove squirrels from the home as soon as possible.
By Infestation Size
By Type of Property
As with most pest control methods, the size and type of property determine the cost of removing the squirrels.
By Location in the House
By Method
Squirrel Relocation Cost
Squirrels can be difficult to get rid of by yourself, so typically, it’s best to call in a professional wildlife control company. The cost of trapping and relocating squirrels will vary depending on the number of squirrels, their location in your home, and the distance they need to be relocated. Trapping and relocating squirrels away from home can cost around $325 to $550.
Squirrel Trap Cost
Squirrels are adorable but can also be a nuisance, especially if they enter your home. Luckily, there are several humane ways to get rid of squirrels without resorting to cruel methods. One of the most common methods is trapping them in a cage or box, then releasing them in a suitable location away from your home. Setting squirrel traps is the preferred, humane method of removing squirrels and can cost anywhere from $275 to $600.
Squirrel Exclusion Door
A squirrel exclusion door is a highly effective method for removing squirrels from homes. This specialized device is installed on the side of the house, allowing squirrels to exit freely but preventing them from reentering. A squirrel exclusion door typically costs $275 to $600, depending on factors such as the door’s size and the installation’s complexity.
Dead Squirrel Removal Cost
The cost of removing dead squirrels can vary depending on factors like the location of the squirrels and the accessibility of the area. It is important to promptly address the removal of dead squirrels since they can lead to unpleasant odors and attract other pests. Generally, it costs about $150 to $250 to remove a dead squirrel or a few dead squirrels in the same area.
4 Factors That Impact Squirrel Removal Costs
The cost of squirrel removal can vary due to several factors. The initial inspection, the location and accessibility of the nest or entry points, the cleanup or removal of dead squirrels and the damage left by the squirrels can all impact the overall cost.
Inspection
It’s important to understand what you’re getting into regarding squirrel removal. While some companies provide complimentary inspections as part of their services, others may require a nominal fee to cover the time and expertise involved in assessing the squirrel infestation and determining the best course of action for removal. Inspection services are often offered by pest control companies either free of charge or at a fee ranging from $125 to $275.
Location
The cost of squirrel removal can be affected by several factors, including the specific location and conditions that impact the trapping and exclusion process. If the area where the squirrels reside in your home makes setting traps or cleanup more complicated, it will likely increase the overall cost.
Cleanup
The cost of squirrel removal is affected by the cleanup of droppings and debris, removal of dead squirrels and any additional services needed to ensure a clean and safe environment after the removal process. T
Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind that the extent of the required cleanup will depend on the size of the affected area and the amount of droppings present at the time of removal. Removing dead squirrels adds another layer of work because they are often located in hard-to-reach areas. Proper disposal methods must be followed before cleaning or sanitization procedures begin.
Damage
Squirrels are known to cause a lot of damage once they begin residing in your home. For instance, they can chew on plastic-coated NM (non-metallic) wiring, exposing the wires and posing a fire hazard. They may even target plastic pipes in crawl spaces or attics, resulting in leaks and water damage.
Therefore, the expertise of an electrician or plumber may be required to assess and repair the damaged wiring or pipes, ensuring the safety and functionality of your electrical system or plumbing system. Hiring professionals to assess the damage will ultimately add to the overall squirrel removal cost.
DIY Squirrel Removal vs. Professional Removal Costs
The main cost of removing squirrels by yourself will be the cost of the metal catch-and-release cages. Two-door-style cages, with a door at each end, provide the squirrels with a clear line of sight, thus encouraging them to enter. Three traps will cost from $100 to $150. DIY squirrel removal from an area such as an attic will cost from $150 to $250.
Other elements of DIY squirrel removal, such as bait, fox urine or mothball repellents, caulking and wire mesh to seal entrances, will cost another $50 to $100.
By contrast, professional squirrel removal starts at around $150.
10 Signs That You Have a Squirrel Infestation
Unlike some pests that quietly lurk around your home and yard, squirrels clearly make themselves announced with:
- Squirrel fights in trees or the attic
- Copious amounts of squirrel droppings that look like grains of rice
- Expensive damage to wires
- Footprints in attic dust or around the property
- Heavy activity in the attic or ceiling
- House fires caused by wire damage
- Nests in crawlspaces and attics
- Nuts, seeds and other food items
- Strong smell of feces and urine
- Water damage
Best Pest Control Companies By Cities
3 Pest Control Companies to Look Into
Not all pest control companies deal with wildlife control. Yet a number of pest control companies are well-equipped to take care of any squirrel problem in your attic, home or yard.
Bulwark Exterminating
Bulwark is a family-owned business that specializes in non-toxic methods of removing pests, including ground and tree squirrels. Though located in only select metro areas, Bulwark gets high ratings from customers and it will provide a quote over the phone.
Orkin
Orkin is a top-rated pest control business with wide coverage in the U.S. and Canada. Orkin is able to trap and remove squirrels. Some states require pest control companies that remove squirrels to employ specialists with Wildlife Control licenses. In many states, Orkin is able to meet that need.
Arrow Exterminators
Arrow has offices in 12 U.S. states, mainly in the Southeast. Offering free inspections and consultations, Arrow is qualified to deal with wildlife extractions and control for raccoons and squirrels.
How to Prevent Squirrels
The best way to get rid of squirrels is to prevent them from coming into your home in the first place. There are several ways you can keep squirrels from becoming unwanted house guests, such as:
- Cover any potential entry points into your home with mesh screens to prevent squirrels from entering your home.
- Inspect your home’s facade and seal any holes or cracks in your home’s exterior where squirrels can squeeze through.
- Keep your yard clean and free of debris, leaves and branches that may attract squirrels.
- Consider installing squirrel-proof feeders or birdhouses with secure lids to discourage squirrels from accessing food sources.
By implementing these preventive measures, you can minimize the number of squirrel-related issues and maintain a squirrel-free home.
How to Find Squirrel Removal Near Me
Finding squirrel removal near you can seem challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. To find squirrel removal services near your location, you can try the following:
- Check out search engines like Google, Bing or Yahoo and enter keywords such as “squirrel removal services near me” or “wildlife removal companies.”
- Contact your local animal control agency or wildlife management department for information about licensed squirrel removal services specializing in humane wildlife removal.
- Ask neighbors, friends or family for recommendations for a squirrel removal company that will do the job right.
- Consider contacting a professional pest control company that may offer wildlife removal services.
To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed a range of providers on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publish and may be subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I deter squirrels?
The best way to deter squirrels is with several approaches: using a strong scent that repels squirrels, scaring them away, blocking off entrances and removing attractive food sources.
Are squirrels in the attic dangerous?
Squirrels in the attic can be dangerous both in terms of hygiene and home safety. Squirrel excrement deposited in attics can bring germs and bacteria. Squirrels who are unable to crawl back outside will eventually die in the attic. Squirrels can gnaw through electrical wires, causing sparks that lead to fires.
What smells do squirrels hate?
Squirrels hate sharp and tangy smells. Scents such as pepper, coffee, spearmint, mothballs, ammonia and cinnamon tend to repel squirrels. Squirrels also dislike the smell of predators, so fox urine is a common scent used to repel squirrels.
What should I do if there’s a squirrel in my house?
When there is a squirrel in the house, sequester the squirrel in a small area while providing access for the squirrel to escape. For example, if the squirrel is in a bedroom, open up the window. Next, close the door and other means of escape. Do not harass the squirrel. Let it leave on its own. If that does not work, throw a thick blanket over the squirrel, roll up the blanket and then open up the blanket outside.
How can I remove squirrels from my yard?
It can be difficult to remove squirrels from a yard since this is their natural environment. Not only that, but yards are so large that it’s hard to exclude squirrels or other wildlife. A few ways to deter squirrels from entering your yard include taking away easy food sources like nuts and fruits, setting up harmless scaring devices like pinwheels and covering plants with plastic netting or chicken wire.