Squirrels in the attic are usually a mother gray squirrel and her babies. Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) says squirrels living in attics are usually nesting adult females. Getting them out humanely comes down to order: make sure no young are left behind, get the squirrels out with a one-way door or a live trap, then seal every opening with metal.
Do it in the wrong order, and you either trap babies inside or leave the hole open for the next squirrel. And the stakes go past noise. Squirrels chew on electrical lines, which can lead to fires, and their gnawing can weaken rafters, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management (ICWDM).
Signs of squirrels in the attic
- Noise during the day. Attic noise during the day could be gray squirrels, while noise at night could be mice, bats or flying squirrels, according to University of Georgia Extension.
- Holes about the size of a baseball along the roofline. That’s the size gray squirrels use, ICWDM says.
- Gnawed wood, vents or wiring.
- Nests near openings, such as an unscreened vent or loose or rotten trim boards, as Humane World describes.
Not sure it’s a squirrel? Our guide to signs of wildlife in your home covers the clues.
A squirrel year: when to act
| When | What’s happening | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-December to January | Gray squirrels breed | Find the entry points; don’t seal one a squirrel is using |
| February to May | Babies are very likely in the nest | Wait for the young to leave with their mother, or have a pro keep the family together |
| June to July | A small share of squirrels breed again | Check for young before any eviction |
| August to October | A second round of babies is likely | Same as spring: check first, then act |
| November to mid-December | Weather turns cold | Check for young first; in the cold, Humane World advises waiting until spring |
Sources: ICWDM on breeding (gestation is 42 to 45 days, about 3 young per litter, and young start leaving the nest at 10 to 12 weeks) and Humane World on when babies are likely. Humane World also advises that if it’s cold out, it’s best to wait until spring before removing squirrels.
How to get squirrels out, step by step
- Find every opening. Walk the roofline, soffits, vents and chimney. ICWDM says to secure vents and chimneys before putting up a one-way door.
- Make sure no babies are inside. Humane World says a mother frantically trying to get back in is strong evidence that young are still inside. If that happens, reopen the hole and let her move them.
- Get the squirrels out. A one-way door lets them leave but not return, and ICWDM says it works well when young aren’t a concern. If trapping is needed, ICWDM says cage traps 5 by 5 by 18 inches or larger work for tree squirrels.
- Seal with metal. ICWDM recommends heavy 1/2-inch wire mesh or aluminum flashing. Humane World suggests metal flashing so squirrels can’t chew the opening back open.
- Trim branches back. ICWDM says trees should be 6 to 8 feet from the building so squirrels can’t jump onto the roof.
- Listen afterward. Humane World advises listening carefully after sealing to make sure no squirrel is trapped inside.
Can I trap and relocate a squirrel in New York?
Not off your property. The New York State DEC says it’s illegal for you to move or relocate an animal off your property. Red squirrels can be taken without a permit. Gray squirrels can only be taken without a permit when they’re damaging property. Relocation rarely works anyway: in one study cited by Humane World, 97% of relocated gray squirrels died or disappeared from where they were released.
What if a squirrel is stuck in the chimney?
Act fast. A squirrel trapped in a chimney rarely survives more than 3 days, ICWDM says, because it can’t grip the smooth flue tiles. One option ICWDM describes is hanging a 1-inch rope down the flue so a healthy squirrel can climb out. Cap the chimney once it’s out.
Here’s a simple example
Say it’s early March in a Bronx two-family house, and the owner hears running in the attic every morning. A gap behind the gutter is chewed to about the size of a baseball. In March, there are very likely babies in the nest, so sealing the gap now would trap them inside. Waiting a few weeks, until the young can leave with their mother, then putting up a one-way door and sealing with metal flashing gets the whole family out alive and keeps the next squirrel out.
Here’s the trade-off. Waiting means a few more weeks of noise, and a professional visit costs more than a store-bought trap. But a trap set in March catches a mother and leaves her litter to die in your attic, which brings its own smell and cleanup.
How NYC Extermination removes squirrels
We start with a free on-site inspection to find how the squirrels get in and where they nest. Then we remove them humanely with traps or one-way doors, watch our traps with cameras, check for chewed wiring and damaged insulation, seal the openings, and add vent guards and chimney caps where your building needs them. We check back to make sure no squirrels have returned. Most jobs take three to seven days.
See our squirrel removal service, our guide to wildlife relocation in New York, or call (347) 988-2315.
Frequently asked questions
Will squirrels leave the attic on their own?
Sometimes, once the babies are grown. Humane World for Animals suggests waiting a few weeks if young are present, since they won’t survive without their mother. The opening still has to be sealed after they leave, or another squirrel will move in.
How do I know if there are baby squirrels in my attic?
Check the calendar first: Humane World says babies are very likely from February through May and August through October. A mother squirrel frantically trying to get back in after an opening is closed is strong evidence that young are still inside.
Is it legal to trap squirrels in New York?
Red squirrels can be taken without a permit. Gray squirrels can be taken without a permit only when they’re damaging property. Either way, DEC’s rules say you can’t relocate a trapped squirrel off your property.
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