How much does it cost to remove squirrels?

Reviewed by Irene Pomares remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Squirrels are in the nuisance wildlife category due to the damage they can cause. Removing them is vital as they can chew power lines, siding, eaves, and insulation. Once in the home, they may build nests and leave droppings resulting in unsanitary conditions.

The typical method of removing squirrels is through relocation and prevention of further infestation. The national average cost ranges from $275 to $600, and most homeowners pay around $350 for the trapping and relocation of a small to medium infestation of squirrels. Homeowners may pay as low as $200 for one to three traps to remove one or two squirrels to as high as $1,500 for an indoor removal that requires extensive cleanup, decontamination, odor removal, relocation, and the sealing of entry points.

Squirrel Removal Cost

Average Cost of Squirrel Removal by Method

The average cost to remove a squirrel is $75 to $600, depending on the removal method. Getting rid of a squirrel infestation isn’t always easy and can take a few days (or even a week or more). While you may be tempted to try a few homemade remedies to get rid of those unwanted guests, remember that the longer you wait to evict these pests, the harder it will be to get the job done. When discussing your options with a trained professional pest management specialist, don’t be surprised if he suggests one (or a combination) of these popular humane squirrel removal methods:

Squirrel Relocation

In general, wildlife relocation services cost about $75 to $125. Once removed from a trap or exclusion door/funnel, the squirrel(s) need to be relocated. Otherwise, they will just return and may find more ways into your home. Relocating the squirrels is usually a part of the package using the traps or exclusion devices, so there isn’t any additional charge for this service. Some professionals say three miles is far enough, while others claim it should be at least ten miles.

Squirrel Traps

The cost for squirrel traps is $200 to $600. It includes the trapper returning to get the squirrels and taking them to a better area. Professionals often use squirrel traps to catch and remove squirrels from property and homes. These rodents can make their way into the nooks and crannies of your home, destroy your garden, and eat all of the bird feed meant for the birds! Squirrel traps are a safe, humane way to relocate these pesky creatures. The number of squirrels that have to be removed also affects the price.

In most cases, the pest management specialist includes several trap checks in their initial fee. But do not be surprised at additional charges if traps must be checked more than two or three times. This fee ranges from $45 to $85 every time the specialist comes to check the traps.

Squirrel Exclusion Door

A professional’s fee to install a one-way exclusion door or funnel at your home is around the same as traps at $200 to $600. A one-way exclusion door for squirrels is usually part of the process of getting rid of the creatures in your home. This door is used on the main entrance that the squirrels are using while all other entrances are sealed. As the door only goes one way, the squirrel can leave, but he cannot return. Another way to remove a single squirrel is a squirrel exclusion funnel. Much like a one-way door, a one-way squirrel exclusion funnel allows the squirrel to leave, but he can’t re-enter the home. Traps may be more effective as they draw in multiple squirrels who can then be relocated.

Average Cost of Squirrel Removal by Severity of Infestation

Another factor that affects the cost of squirrel removal is the severity of the infestation. If you have a small infestation, such as one or two squirrels who have entered your home looking for food, you will pay less because the trapping process will be shorter. Medium infestations typically involve a family of squirrels where a nest has been made. Large infestations often involve several squirrels and two or more nests. A severe infestation is normally characterized as a dozen or more squirrels in the home with multiple nest sites and significant damage or droppings. Below you will see the average cost you can expect to pay based on the severity of the infestation.

Average Cost of Squirrel Removal by Location

The average cost to remove a squirrel by location is $200 to $1,500. If you just have squirrels outside your home, in your backyard, or near the entry, the cost will be lower because removing them from their natural environment is easier. Squirrels are much easier to trap in outside areas because they are most often found in areas where it is safe to nest. Once they get in your home, they can be more difficult to find as they can fit in small spaces and may cover multiple areas of your home.

The cost to remove a squirrel from the chimney can be higher than removal in other exterior portions of your home. The space is small and difficult to access. Not only will the squirrels need to be removed, but their nest will need to be completely removed to make the chimney safe for use again.

Squirrel Removal Cost by Company

The average cost of squirrel removal depends on the company and runs about $200 to $600. Due to the propensity to become aggressive, squirrel removal should always be done by a trained and insured professional. Many companies offer these services, so it is helpful to know some characteristics of them.

Expel Wildlife Service is a newer regional company that handles wildlife removal and restoration, cleanup, and prevention. Terminix and Orkin are both well-known companies that have been around for decades, are nationwide, and have experience in every aspect of wildlife removal. Wildlife Removal USA is another newer nationwide company that focuses on humane removal processes.

Squirrel Inspection

The first step in getting rid of squirrels is the squirrel inspection. The contractor will thoroughly inspect the home’s interior and exterior for signs of infestation, points of entry, and damage and determine the type of animal that is causing the problem. Some inspections will include work started that day as traps can be set and entry points sealed. Homeowners will find that some companies charge for the initial inspection at the cost of $100 to $250 while others inspect for free. Higher cost inspections usually include the setting of the traps. An additional return visit fee may be charged.

Dead Squirrel Removal

Finding a dead squirrel leaves you feeling gross. Squirrels live about 12 years but can be killed by larger animals, diseases, childbirth, or liver or kidney issues. If you discover a dead squirrel, it is best to call a professional to remove it as they carry diseases. A dead squirrel in the wall can create smells in your home, so decontamination and odor abatement are advised. Often, a dead squirrel in the attic leaves behind babies, so it is best to have an inspection and possible removal done. A professional will charge $100 to $250 to haul away a dead squirrel. The pricing depends on the location and how easy it is to access it.

Emergency Squirrel Removal

An emergency squirrel removal is usually after hours, on weekends, or holidays, or when you need immediate assistance. Most people can wait until normal business hours unless the squirrel is lost in the house or if you find a dead squirrel in the house. It is important to have a dead or lost squirrel removed immediately. Expect to pay at least $100 more for emergency squirrel removal. This brings the cost to $375 to $700, depending on the extent of the removal.

All About Squirrels

Squirrels look innocuous. However, when they find their way inside a house, they can cause all kinds of trouble. Squirrels can give birth to two or three litters of four to six babies each year, with each one living for about 12 years. So, even a single squirrel can turn into dozens in no time. To make matters worse, squirrels tend to be family-oriented social beings that often live in groups. The odds of harboring just one or two of these pesky mammals are not high. Once a squirrel sets up house inside of your abode, they can quickly overtake it. While squirrels tend to take up residence in attics due to the easy access and comfy setting, these critters also commonly settle down inside walls, chimneys, closets, and other quiet, warm, and safe areas.

While other rodents may be more active at night, squirrels tend to follow a more human-like schedule, scuttering about during normal daylight hours. Also, they tend to be more active in the fall, as they look for a place to settle in for the winter.

Types of Squirrels

Many types of squirrels may be found in or near your home. Telling your pest management specialist what kind of animals he will be dealing with may be really useful. One of the most common and most destructive squirrels found in North American neighborhoods is the gray squirrel. It measures between 14 and 21 inches long, features gray coloring with white undertones, and is commonly found in suburban neighborhoods. The pine squirrel is the smallest squirrel species. It is on the smaller side (about seven to nine inches long) and features a reddish color.

As opposed to the pine squirrel, the tree squirrel can reach a whopping 27 inches long and has really sharp claws. It can vary in color from reddish-brown to gray or even black. Flying squirrels do not usually infest homes, but they can fit into the smallest openings when they do. They can glide up to 160 feet using a muscle membrane between their legs and bodies. Ranging in size between 8 and 12 inches, flying squirrels are most active at night.

Where Do Squirrels Nest?

Squirrels love to nest in warm, quiet places. Popular places include your attic, basement, walls, eaves, ductwork, and more. They are very family-oriented and give birth two or three times a year. Thus, the numbers soar fairly quickly. It is quite common to find a squirrel nest in the chimney of your home as it is high up and quiet during the spring, summer, and sometimes into the fall. It is not unusual for a homeowner to discover a nest in the chimney before fire season starts.

Signs of a Squirrel Infestation

Several signs may indicate you have a squirrel infestation in the home. One of the most common signs is noises in the home. Hearing scratching or scampering in the home could indicate that you have squirrels in the attic or walls. Another indication is damage to your home that includes a point of entry, such as holes and broken gutters.

If you have an infestation of squirrels in your yard, you will often see damage to bird feeders and plants. You may also see squirrels fighting in your yard due to overcrowding in an outdoor nest.

You also may realize you have a severe infestation in your home if you begin to notice foul odors. Squirrels leave waste that will eventually smell, especially when exposed to heat. You may also notice the smell of decay if any squirrels have died in your home and have not been found.

Are Squirrels Dangerous?

While squirrels can damage your home, they can also damage your health. It is not often that humans contract a squirrel-borne disease, but it can wreak havoc on your health when they do. Squirrels can also spread disease to your pets.

Coming in contact with squirrel waste can lead to salmonellosis, which leads to flu-like symptoms, and leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can lead to serious illness in pets.

Lyme disease can be contracted from a squirrel infestation if infected ticks are brought inside your home. There is also the risk of rabies if bitten by a squirrel. Finally, some squirrels carry a rare disease called Tularemia which they can transmit. Once contracted, the disease can damage the lungs, eyes, and skin.

What Attracts Squirrels to Your House?

Squirrels enjoy quiet, secluded, warm places. It is best to keep the bushes, trees, and plants cut back, the yard mowed, and areas around sheds and under the house clear and free of debris. Squirrels like to enter through small holes seeking a place to nest, so sealing these areas will prevent entry. Nuts and fruit trees are attractive, especially if food is falling on the ground and left there. Gardens are another area that attract squirrels, so consider installing squirrel deterrents or a statue of a predator such as an owl or fox to avoid damage and infestation. Large trees close to the house allows easy access to the roof and attic area. Food and water sources such as bird feeders, pet food and water bowls, human food left outside or inside, unsealed pantry foods such as bread, cereals, and grains draw squirrels and other rodents to your home.

How to Prevent Squirrels

While removing squirrels from your home is important, they will likely return without implementing prevention measures. Several steps are involved in preventing the recurrence of a squirrel infestation. Start by sealing off any small holes where squirrels could enter. Cover your gutters and downspouts and repair any cracks around the exterior of your home.

You can also make your yard less attractive to squirrels by removing debris, leaf piles, and branches from around your yard. Since squirrels are attracted to the smell of food, make sure that pet food, birdseed, and trash are properly stored and sealed.

If you live in an area with many squirrels, you may want to consider an ultrasonic squirrel repeller that emits a noise, inaudible to humans, that drives them away.

Squirrels' Damage to the House

Not only is the presence of squirrels unsanitary, but they can also cause extensive damage to your home. Repair bills cost anywhere from $150 to $1,500. Squirrel lawn damage includes digging and chewing, as well as yellow patches due to urination. Squirrel damage to the roof can include chewed areas, loosened shingles, and scratches that may decrease the integrity of your roof. Squirrels on the roof can lead to squirrel attic damage such as chewed and destroyed wiring and insulation. Wall damage can ruin drywall. Wire damage can lead to a fire. A squirrel urine stain on the ceiling means you have a real problem as the area above your ceiling is fair game for scuttling through the entire house. Squirrels chewing car wires can result in a car that won’t start. Your house insurance does not usually cover damage caused by squirrels. But, you can check with your agent.

Squirrel Removal vs Squirrel Extermination Cost

Most professionals and homeowners prefer to trap and relocate squirrels whenever possible. For this process, you can expect to spend an average of $275 to $600 for trapping and removing a small to medium infestation of squirrels.

Though sometimes relocating is not as practical, they will need to be rehomed at least 10 miles away to prevent return and in a more open area. Some professionals may also find relocating inhuman because it confuses the animal as their surroundings suddenly change. In these cases, or if the squirrels trapped are sick, euthanization may be the better option. You can expect to pay $375 to $900 to have a small to medium infestation of squirrels trapped, removed, and euthanized. In some cities, the cost may be less if their nuisance control center performs free euthanization.

Chipmunk vs Squirrel

The cost to remove a chipmunk versus a squirrel is very similar at an average of $350. Confusing chipmunks and squirrels happens sometimes when you see a ground squirrel. Chipmunks have stripes from the face to the top of the head down to the bottom of the tail. A ground squirrel has stripes only on its back and tail. Tree squirrels do not have stripes at all. Tree squirrels tend to be much larger than chipmunks or ground squirrels. Squirrels tend to enjoy grassy places. Chipmunks are more prone to be woodland or forest creatures. Chipmunks eat nuts, berries, and seeds. While squirrels like those things as well, they tend to eat plants like corn and wheat.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Regulations. Every community has its own rules and regulations regarding trapping and euthanizing wild animals. Be sure to check with your local animal control office regarding these rules and any requirements regarding licenses needed by your pest management specialist.
• DIY. Using some homemade methods of squirrel eradication, including mothballs, predator urine, ammonia, flashing lights, and squirrel repellent sprays, are possible. The safest and easiest way to rid your home of these unwanted visitors is to hire a professional who has been trained in trapping and relocating them.
• Squirrel babies. If a nest full of babies is discovered, be prepared to pay a bit more to have them removed from your home. The process is delicate, and special care must be taken not to upset the mother. Be advised that it isn’t usually safe to move babies until they are older and stronger. Experts say they will most likely die.
• Sick squirrels. If any of the squirrels are sick, plan on adding 25% to 40% or $750 to $1,000. Whenever a specialist must deal with sick animals, the cost is bound to rise due to increased exposure risk.
• Guarantee. Some professionals provide a guarantee that squirrels will not return. It is generally a 30-day guarantee. The idea is that they will return to remove any squirrels that get back into the area.
• Squirrel droppings. Squirrel droppings in your home can lead to a health hazard. Their droppings can lead to salmonella and spread diseases the squirrel may have. A professional can remove droppings from an area of your home for an average cost of $250 per visit.
• Travel fee. Be prepared to pay a $100 to $175 travel fee if the relocation area is more than 30 miles from you.