If a Squirrel Gets in Your House:

1. Let it find its way out:
   • Remove pets from the room in which the squirrel is running or hiding.
   • Close all doors the lead from that room into other parts of the house.
   • Open all windows and doors in the room that lead outside.
   • Leave the room yourself. Eventually the squirrel will find its way out.
   • Don't worry about the squirrel if you are shutting it in a room on an upper level, squirrels can safely jump from a second-story window - but don't open windows over concrete!
2. If this is not possible, try humane baiting:
   • Bait a humane trap with peanut butter.
   • Leave the trap on the floor near the squirrel, and leave it alone for a few hours.
3. If this is not possible, try the blanket approach:
   • Put on heavy gloves, hold a blanket in front of you to hide your "human form" from the squirrel.
   • Slowly approach the squirrel, then quickly drop the blanket on it and roll it up.
   • Don't roll too tight or push too hard, so as not to squeeze or injure it.
   • Carry the blanket-wrapped squirrel outside, open it onto the ground, and it will make its escape.

1. If the squirrel is in the chimney
   • Make loud noises at the fireplace to scare the squirrels and encourage them back out the way they came in
   • Attach a long, thick rope (of at least 3/4 inch) to the top of the chimney, and drop it down. This will provide the squirrel with a way to climb out if it feels that it is stuck.
2. If the squirrel is in the attic
   • If it is a single squirrel or just adults, try frightening it/them with loud noises, such as banging on the rafters or even talking or yelling loudly.
   • If this doesn't work set up a bright light in the area and leave it on through the day and night; turn on a radio, television, or other ongoing music or sound and leave it playing; or soak rags in cider vinegar and set them around the attic. Squirrels are not especially fond of any of these, so are likely to leave.
   • If it is a mother with her babies, it is best to wait until the babies grow enough to leave - they may do this naturally in a few weeks when they are old enough to move around with mom.
   • If you don't want to wait, it's best to hire a professional who can safely relocate the family.
   • If you seal the entry points (see below) and the squirrels keep trying to get back in, it may be that there are babies trapped inside - in which case, a professional should be called.
3. Keep squirrels out
   • Once you have gotten the squirrel out, by whichever method, find out where it came in - look for tracks around the fireplace, inspect the attic for nests, check the foundation and home's structure for holes.
   • Seal any potential entry point to prevent another squirrel - or other wild animal from coming in. Metal flashing can be a sealant, as the animals cannot chew through it to get back in.
   • Cover chimneys with chimney caps to seal off this entry point.
   • Keep doors closed when not in use.
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