Squirrels can be a nuisance for homeowners as they dig into the attic and destroy gardens. They can also contaminate the roof with urine and droppings.

To get rid of squirrels on your roof, start by finding all entry points and sealing them shut. This can be done using a one-way exclusion door that prevents reentry without trapping or harming the animals.

Remove All Food Sources

Squirrels love the roof because it is a safe place to play and munch on twigs and bark to keep their teeth sharp. They can also hide here from predators such as foxes and coyotes. If you want to keep squirrels away from your roof, the first step is removing their food sources. This means putting away bird feeders and clearing off the ground under trees where squirrels may hide.

Next, you need to remove their shelter and nests. You can do this by observing where the squirrels are going on your roof. Look for their droppings and signs that they have been there such as chewed wood, paper, string or cotton batting. You should also check if there are any holes in the roof gable and vents, and close them. You can also block the chimney as some squirrels enter the house through it.

Another good way to keep squirrels away from your roof is by spraying it with a chemical repellant. This is a safe and effective method as long as you follow the instructions on the package carefully. The main ingredient in most repellents is predator urine, which smells very unpleasant to squirrels and will deter them from coming back.

If you do not wish to use chemicals, there are other natural ways to get rid of squirrels on your roof. One such method involves placing orange items in the attic or loft. Squirrels are afraid of the color orange as it reminds them of predators like cats and raccoons. Hence, placing orange items such as old terra-cotta pots will force them to go elsewhere for their food and shelter.

You can also try rubbing pepper on your roof. This is a natural pesticide that can make the squirrels feel sick when they come in contact with it. This will deter them from entering your home, which will ultimately help you get rid of the squirrels on your roof.

If you do not manage to find and close any entry points, you can try a squirrel exclusion door. This type of door shuts when a squirrel goes through it, and prevents reentry without trapping or harming the animal.

Use Natural Repellents

Squirrels are a persistent pest that can cause serious damage to your home. If they gain access to your attic or roof, they can chew through electrical wires and insulation which can lead to fires and costly repairs. Additionally, they can urinate and defecate in your attic which can contaminate your living space and cause health problems for you and your pets.

One way to remove squirrels from a roof is to install a chew-resistant roofing material. This can be done by a professional or as a do-it-yourself project. You can also add some simple deterrents to your property that will help to keep the squirrels away.

Adding a layer of aluminum foil to the underside of your eaves is another effective squirrel repellent. The reflective properties of the foil will reflect sunlight and scare off the furry critters. Other homemade repellents can be made from household ingredients like ammonia. The strong smell of the ammonia will be unpleasant to squirrels and they won’t want to visit your roof again. Other household cleaning products that have a strong scent can also be used in the same manner.

Another effective repellent is predator urine spray. You can buy this from a pet store or online and it will contain the scent of a squirrel’s natural predators which will be offensive to the animal. You can also place a few drops of this on the entrance points to your soffit and roof.

In addition to using repellents, you can make your home less attractive to squirrels by removing food sources and water sources on your property. Be sure to place all outdoor garbage cans behind closed lids and take steps to ensure that the lids are secure. Lastly, you can deter squirrels by trimming the trees around your house to ensure that they can’t reach any branches that might fall onto the roof or wall.

If the squirrels have already made their way into your attic, you can trap them humanely with a live animal trap that is designed for small animals. Observe their behavior to determine how they get inside and set the trap near that area. Once the squirrel is trapped, be sure to clean your attic and seal any holes in the soffit or eaves. You should avoid trapping during the spring and fall when squirrels give birth because the babies will die of dehydration and starvation if they are separated from their mother.

Trim Trees Near the House

Squirrels love to gnaw on things. They do it to trim their ever-growing teeth, but unfortunately, this habit can lead to a lot of damage. They gnaw through attic insulation, electrical wires, and shingles. If left unchecked, the squirrels’ chewing will eventually lead to a roof leak and costly re-roofing.

If you live in an area with lots of trees, trimming the branches that touch the house can prevent squirrels from jumping on to your roof. However, this is a dangerous task and should be done by a qualified tree service professional. Branches are very fragile and can fall on your home. Also, squirrels will find another way to access your roof, so this is not a foolproof method of getting rid of squirrels on the roof.

Squirrels are very fast climbers and can jump up to a house from several feet away. You can make it more difficult for them to get to your roof by installing predator guards on the trunks of trees, around electric poles, and over fences. These devices will prevent squirrels from climbing and are very effective.

Another common way to keep squirrels from getting on the roof is to install a one-way exclusion door in your attic. Squirrels can fit through a hole the size of a dime, so finding all the entry points and sealing them is essential. Once the animals are excluded, listen carefully to hear if any of them try to re-enter the attic. Frantic attempts to reenter are a good indication that there are still babies inside, and the mother will go to extreme lengths to protect them.

If you’re looking for a more humane way to get rid of squirrels, there are some natural repellents that can be used. For example, the scent of peppermint oil can deter squirrels from climbing on your roof. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them at the entry points to your roof or other areas where squirrels tend to hang out. A radio that is turned up loud can also be an effective tool to get squirrels off the roof. The noise will distract them and cause them to look for other shelters.

Cover Wires and Cables

Squirrels love to chew on things, and wires and cables are perfect targets for their sharp teeth. If they don’t stop chewing, the cables and wires will eventually get damaged or even disconnected from their source. To prevent this, cover these cables and wires with a strong material like metal or plastic. It is also a good idea to keep these cables and wires away from trees and other structures that could provide a bridge to your roof.

Squirrels can enter your house through a variety of places. You may notice scurrying noises in your attic or crawl spaces, signs of chewed electrical wiring or damage to shingles or flashing. You might find nests made of leaves, string, paper, cotton batting and other debris. You may also notice water damage from rain seeping through chewed wood or through a hole in your roof.

Often, squirrels will enter the house by finding an entry point such as a gap under a vent or a crack in the eaves. You can try to block these entry points, but this is not always easy and can backfire if you accidentally trap a mother squirrel trying to reach her young inside the house. It is best to leave these types of fixes for a wildlife professional who has the training and experience to work safely and effectively with squirrels.

One trick that has been tried is to paint a few terracotta pots orange and set them on your roof. The theory is that the scent of the orange will deter the squirrels and make them go elsewhere. Some people have had success with this method, but it is a little bit gimmicky and probably only works for a short time before the pots are knocked over by wind or rain.

You can also use a spray bottle of water and ammonia to chase the squirrels from your home. Just remember to use this technique very carefully and only when there is no rain in the forecast. Ammonia can be very dangerous if it gets into your eyes and is not used properly.