Squirrels may look cute with their large eyes and bushy tails, but they can also become a real nuisance. From damaging trees to nesting in attics and chewing through electric wires, squirrels can cause rather serious and expensive problems.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect your home and garden from squirrels. The most important thing to know before you start: with grey squirrels you can't simply trap and move them on - the law won't allow it (more on that below) - so prevention and proofing are where your effort is best spent. Here are ten proven methods to stop squirrels and keep them out of your home and garden.
📋 Quick summary: stopping squirrels
- Proof first - seal entry points with galvanised steel mesh and cut off roof access. This is where the effort pays off.
- Remove the draw - squirrel-proof bird feeders, secured bins, and no fallen nuts or seeds.
- You can't trap and relocate a grey - the law requires a trapped grey to be humanely dispatched, so if you're not prepared to do that, deter and proof instead.
- Mind the timing - never seal a loft that may have dependent young inside.
- Reds are protected - if you have red squirrels, you must not harm or disturb them.
1. Seal Entry Points to Your Home
Squirrels can squeeze through small gaps and cracks, especially in your roof, attic, and walls. Inspect your home regularly for holes and seal them with galvanised steel mesh or metal flashing. Avoid weaker materials like wood and plastic, as squirrels can gnaw through these relatively easily. One important check before you seal anything: make sure no squirrel - or dependent young - is shut inside, especially during the spring and mid-summer breeding seasons.
2. Trim Overhanging Tree Branches
Squirrels are excellent climbers who often use tree branches to access or jump onto your roof. To counter this, we recommend trimming back branches so they are no closer than 2 metres from your house. This makes it a lot harder for them to reach your roof and take up residence in your attic.
3. Use Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders
Bird feeders may be great for attracting birds, but they often attract other pests such as squirrels too. We recommend investing in a squirrel-proof bird feeder, or, if that's not possible, positioning your feeder as far from fences and trees as possible. You may also wish to use baffles to prevent squirrels from climbing onto feeder poles.
4. Secure Your Rubbish Bins and Food Sources
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders who will take advantage of any food that comes their way. Keep bins tightly closed at all times and clean up any fallen fruit, nuts, or seeds from your garden. You should also store birdseed and pet food in metal containers with secure lids to prevent squirrels from raiding them.
5. Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
A harmless but effective deterrent is a motion-activated sprinkler. When a squirrel gets too close, it triggers a spray of water, scaring it away. This method works especially well for protecting your garden and outdoor structures - though, like any single deterrent, it works best combined with proofing rather than on its own.
6. Use Squirrel Repellents
Non-toxic repellents using strong scents or tastes can deter squirrels from chewing on trees, fences and entry points. A commercial repellent, or a DIY one containing capsaicin (hot pepper) or garlic, can help - though natural scents wash off and need reapplying regularly, so treat them as one layer rather than a complete fix.
7. Protect Trees with Metal Guards
To stop squirrels from climbing trees and stripping off bark, we recommend wrapping the base of trees with smooth metal tree guards. This prevents them from getting the foothold they need to start climbing, and protects the tree from damage.
8. Regularly Check Your Attic and Loft
Regular inspections maximise your chances of early detection, which is key to preventing a full-blown infestation. Inspect your loft, attic and roof space regularly for signs of squirrels, such as scratching noises, droppings or chewed wires. If you spot signs of activity, take action quickly.
9. Use Live-Capture Traps Only as a Last Resort
If grey squirrels have already got into your home, trapping may become necessary - but go in with your eyes open. UK law prohibits releasing a trapped grey squirrel; once caught, it must be humanely dispatched, not relocated. If you're not comfortable and able to do that, don't trap - call a professional instead. Check, too, that there are no dependent young present before you trap or seal anything. And remember that red squirrels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it's illegal to kill, injure or disturb them or their dreys. Because of all this, the RSPCA recommends using a trained pest controller for lethal squirrel control.
10. Call a Professional If Infestations Persist
DIY methods don't always work, especially if squirrels have already established a nest in your home. If you continue to hear activity in your attic or notice extensive damage, we recommend hiring a licensed pest control professional to handle the situation legally and humanely.
Final Thoughts
Stopping squirrels from your home and garden is far easier than dealing with an established infestation. By making your property less inviting, sealing off entry points and using a few deterrents together, you give yourself a great chance of protecting it. And if DIY solutions don't get the results you want, don't hesitate to seek professional help.
We go to great lengths to ensure that all our DIY rodent control products are effective, fast & easy-to-use. You may also find our expert guide useful if you want to learn more about getting rid of squirrels from your home or workplace.
