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Rodents & Shrews · Pest guide

Squirrels control

Squirrels in the attic, the walls and the bird feeder.

Start here: How to Get Squirrels Out of the Attic (2026 Guide) When to call a pro

Squirrels at a glance

Scientific name
Sciurus carolinensis (eastern gray squirrel) and others
Size
9 to 12 inches body, plus bushy tail (23–30 cm)
Appearance
Gray, red-brown or black; bushy tail; active in daytime
Where found
Attics, soffits, chimneys, bird feeders, gardens
  • Health riskLow
  • Property damageHigh
  • Do it yourself?DIY or pro
When squirrels are active Peak: Mar–Oct
  1. Jan Active
  2. Feb Active
  3. Mar Peak
  4. Apr Active
  5. May Active
  6. Jun Active
  7. Jul Active
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Peak (this month)
  10. Oct Peak
  11. Nov Active
  12. Dec Active

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Scurrying in the attic at dawn and dusk
  • Chewed soffits, fascia or roof vents
  • Emptied bird feeders and dug-up bulbs

Call a professional when

  • Squirrels inside the attic or walls, especially with young in spring or late summer
  • Chewed wiring in the attic
How to choose a pest control company

Quick prevention

  • Trim branches 8 feet back from the roof
  • Cap chimneys and screen vents
  • Use baffles on feeder poles

Squirrels: removal guides

1 guide

Step-by-step plans to get rid of a pest, from DIY methods to professional treatment.

Eastern gray squirrel perched on a branch

Squirrels · Removal

How to Get Squirrels Out of the Attic (2026 Guide)

· 6 min read

Keep squirrels out

  1. Trim branches 8 feet back from the roof
  2. Cap chimneys and screen vents
  3. Use baffles on feeder poles

Often confused or found together

All rodents & shrews
Chipmunks Burrows under patios, steps and retaining walls. Rats Norway and roof rats: bigger, warier and more destructive than mice. Raccoons Attics, chimneys and trash cans: humane eviction and rabies safety.
Photo credits

Thank you to Charles J. Sharp (photo 2) for sharing this beautiful photograph and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0