How Much Does Squirrel Removal Cost?

By Lee Wallender
Contributor

Fact Checked

Lexie Pelchen Editor
We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Home. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

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

Infestation SizeCost
Small$250 - $350
Medium$350 - $650
Large$550 - $800
Extra-Large$1,200 - $1,600

By Type of Property

As with most pest control methods, the size and type of property determine the cost of removing the squirrels.

HouseCost
1,000 - 2,000 square feet$200 - $400
2,000 - 3,000 square feet$400 - $700
3,000 - 4,000 square feet$700 - $1,000
4,000 - 5,000 square feet$1,000 - $1,200

By Location in the House

LocationCost
Attic$350 - $650
Basement$250 - $350
Bedroom or Bathroom$350 - $650
Ceiling$800 - $1,600
Chimney$250 - $350
Roof$250 - $350
Yard$250 - $300

By Method

MethodCost
Trap one or two squirrels$200 - $250
Trap and relocate five to seven squirrels$325 - $550
Remove seven or more squirrels, clean up the property, relocate squirrels and exclude squirrels$1,500 - $1,700
Add an exclusion door$150 - $250
Average Squirrel Removal Costs
Average Cost$850
Highest Cost$1,550
Lowest Cost$150
Average Cost for Common Pests
Squirrels$850
Mice and rats$1,150
Ants$150
Termites$600
Mosquitoes$300
Wood-boring beetles$3,250

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.

Advertisement

Compare Quotes From Top-rated Pest Control Services

Free, No-commitment Estimates

Find a Pest Control Service

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

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.

Advertisement

Pest Removal Services Near Me

Rid your home of pests, termites, cockroaches, bed bugs & more. Find pest control experts you can trust. Compare ratings & reviews on participating partner sites.

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.

Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances.

Forbes Home adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.