Squirrel Removal

[Halyn]

I think we have a squirrel in our attic. I can hear something scratching away in the ceiling of my bedroom, starting around 5 a.m. every day, and occasionally I hear scratching noises around 9 or 10 at night. One of the problems I foresee with removal is that my bedroom was added to the house after it was originally built. When I peeked into the attic, it appears that the attic ends where the original house ends–so the space above my bedroom is probably no more than a crawlspace, and I can not find a place where the squirrel and/or the person removing the squirrel can access what I presume is the nesting area. Has anyone here used any professional animal removal services? If so, can you tell me what it cost? I know every case is different, but I’d like to have a general idea, just for planning purposes. Also, does anyone have any ideas how I can remove the critter myself, as I am on a rather tight budget–which leads to a final question: Is this the type of thing that I could reasonably ask my landlord to pay for, or would this be a tenant problem? If I had mice in the kitchen, I would assume that my housekeeping was not up to snuff, and would consider rodent removal to be my problem. But this is a wild creature that chewed its way in–who pays for that?

One more thing–I am really against harming the squirrel…I just want it to live elsewhere.

Share This

[hammerhead]

I can loan you a trap for free. not big deal, since you said you don’t want to harm it.

so if it is trapped just let it go outside.

I don’t think there are babies right now.

As for the landlord I would at least let them know there is something up there.

HH

Share This

[shed22]

I have a similar story. Sort of.

Shortly after buying my home, I thought I had rats in the attic. Could hear them scratching and shuffling above my bed at night and in the early morning. Similar hours to yours.

I hired an exterminator after I couldn’t take it any longer. Upon arriving, the exterminator handed me an informational on Wild Asian Jungle Roof Rats with a long story of their arrival and settling in to the Puget Sound territory.

The guy checked out both attic and crawlspace. He claimed there was evidence of rats, but primarily in the crawlspace. Nothing much up in the attic, despite my original concerns. He set up baits and traps in both areas, had me sign a 1 year contract, and left.

Night after night, the scratching continued and was getting increasingly louder. I was convinced an attic full of Wild Asian Jungle Roof Rats were trying to eat their way through my ceiling. I stopped sleeping in the bedroom out of fear that they would one night break through the wall and scramble on me while I slept.

Upon my urging, the exterminator came back. He checked out the spot above my bed, but there was nothing in the trap. He claimed he saw little footprints in the insulation and theorized that the rat was actually trapped in the wall and would soon die. He set more traps to appease me and left.

By this time, it had been three weeks. I imagined a whole family of rats trapped in the wall, scratching and eating, eating and scratching their way through the wall and onto my face.

A friend thought the rat hypothesis wasn’t holding up and asked, “Are you sure it isn’t bees?”. I wasn’t sure. Hadn’t actually thought about it and it certainly wasn’t brought up by the exterminator. That day, right before dusk, I checked out the exterior. Sure enough, wasps (not bees) were streaming in and out of the eaves above my bedroom.

The exterminator came back and eliminated the wasp nest that had made it’s way to the space above my bed.

So, while it may be squirrels or raccoon or Wild Asian Jungle Roof Rats, it may also be bees or wasps.

Examine the exterior around dawn or dusk. This is the time they leave or return to the hive in high numbers, therefore easier to spot.

Good luck.

Share This

[ghar72]

I would think this is something your landlord would cover. When we were renting we had a yellowjacket problem that he hired someone to deal with. There was also a rat problem that the basement tenant had, but our landlord dealt with that too. I think that’s one of the perks of renting, not having to shell out the bucks for headaches like this! Definitely give your landlord a call (and do not offer to take care of it yourself).

Share This

[JimmyG]

Shed, your story had me smiling as we had a similar one 3 years ago. Hearing scratching noises at night, me convinced they were going to fall through the ceiling onto my innocent slumbering self. So freaked out I wouldn’t sleep upstairs, instead spending a few uncomfortable nights on the couch.

Turned out our visitors were bats. We’ve thankfully moved the bat family on and sealed up where they were getting in which was a very small opening between siding and the bricks of our chimney.

Share This

[brew]

Pick up a trap at Home depot for $25, bait it with peanut butter and place it along the travel path of the squirrels. Once traped, you need to decide wheather to release it someplace far away or dispose of it. I have heard that a “somewhat” humane way of disposal is to put the trap, with critter in it, in a large garbage bag. Using rubberbands, or the like, secure the open end of the garbage bag around the tail pipe of your car. Run your car for 10-15 minutes and the critter should expire.

Share This

[JJR]

Hi Halyn,

Bless you for not wanting to hurt the squirrel. If someone will loan you a trap or if you can rent one, and you don’t want to release it near your home, you can release it in my yard or even a nearby park. I already have squirrels and they don’t give me any trouble other than eating the bird seed. LOL I would hate to see harm come to it. If you want to bring him/her by my place, reply to hear and I’ll get in touch.

Share This

[Sonoma]

Brew, THAT’S humane? Not even somewhat! Hope you’re joking.

Share This

[Halyn]

Thanks, Hammerhead, but after taking a hard look around the roofline and soffitt areas, I think we’re gonna need professional help. Not much point in trapping the little beggar if she or one of her relatives will be able to move right back in! So, thanks everyone for the replies…I’m gonna give my landlord a call and see what we can do.

Share This

[jissy]

Halyn: Absolutely this is something your landlord would want to know about to handle what might be a bigger issue (roof/attic entry/access) & he/she should also be responsible to take care of it for you.

Share This

[GenHillOne]

Ugh, Halyn, this makes my skin crawl, because I thought I had a critter in my attic many years ago (if only!). I too had the misfortune of discovering that the scratching was coming from yellow jackets. While not exclusive to them, the time table you’re describing is a fit. I’m glad you’re contacting your landlord. Can we say half-dead yj falling through vents? *ewwwww*

Share This

[Author]

Posts