The squirrel is a quirky and cute animal which may drive the homeowner nuts because of its destruction of the structures and plants. A squirrel will eat the siding trying to get inside of the home or in building its nest. Making sure that the squirrels do not come into the home is the first step to protect it against infestation, but if you combine the exclusion method with more control methods like blocking of the entry points and the use of repellents, it will be the most effective method that you can use in order to stop the squirrels so that they do not eat the siding of your home.



- You have to cut the tree limbs so that they are 6 to 8 feet away from the home. It prevents the squirrels from jumping from a tree to the roof where they chew at the siding in order to enter in the attic.
- Block attic vents, holes, gaps and cracks in the siding, around the windows or doors using hardware cloth in order to exclude squirrels from the home. You can prevent the entry of the squirrels through making the siding and the home not that desirable. They will find a new location where they are able to build their nests. You have to ensure that the squirrels are not within the attic space or walls before you try to block the entry holes.
- You should use taste repellent and capsaicin on the areas of the plant or siding where you do not want the squirrel to chew. Capsaicin is a natural chemical found in chili peppers, and it occurs naturally while the animals tend to avoid it when it is in granular, liquid and spray formulation.
- You may brush the polybutene in the downspouts, railings and siding or other places where the squirrels should not chew so that the squirrels will not climb on it. Polybutene is sticky and it may be messy in applying. You have to reapply it often.
- Use cage traps or wire on the opening of the squirrels’ entry hole to trap and remove them so that they do not chew on the siding. You can use the traps that have a door on every end so that the squirrel can see through this trap. You have to set the trap where there are signs of chewing.
- Set the bait within the trap when it is at least 6 inches away from the ground. You may use baits like shelled walnut, pecans, peanuts and orange slices.

If you have done everything you can but you still have an infestation problem, call the professional in wildlife control to exclude the squirrels for you.

Go back to the Squirrels in the Attic home page.