Squirrels are one of the larger rodent-like pests that homeowners have to deal with during the year. While not as hated as rats and mice, squirrels can still be a nuisance when they make a nest in your garage.
In this article, we’ll look at how squirrels get into your garage as well as why. Then we’ll offer some tips on how to get rid of them in the most humane way possible.
Looking for a quick answer? In short, there are two best ways to get rid of squirrels in your garage. You can either use repellents or squirrel traps. Use these two together to keep squirrels away for good.
What Are Squirrels Doing In My Garage?
Squirrels come into a garage mostly for nesting. So usually this means a female squirrel has entered with the hopes of having her babies there.
Thankfully, squirrels usually don’t stay long and will leave as soon as the babies are old enough to do so.
They generally won’t return after that, so sometimes people don’t even notice a squirrel has nested in their garage until after it has left.
Keeping Squirrels Out Of The Garage
The best way to deal with squirrels in the garage is to not let them get in the first place.
Close any squirrel entry points
Squirrels look bigger than they actually are and they can squeeze through pretty small openings.
In fact, they prefer small openings because larger predators can’t follow them through and into their nest.
Check the perimeter of your garage, top and bottom, for any openings a squirrel could come through.
Make sure to especially check the roof area and areas around the roof. Squirrels are climbers and usually end up on the roof. So this is often where they can find an unknown entry point.
Use squirrel repellents
There are also natural repellents you can use which will cause squirrels to feel uncomfortable and unsafe.
When this happens, they won’t make their nest there.
Used kitty litter is one option. This makes squirrels think a cat is present, and they will avoid the area.
Vinegar or ammonia can also work for this purpose. Soak a rag with vinegar then place it in a sealed plastic bag. Poke one or two small holes in the bag so the odor gently drifts out but doesn’t become noticeable to people.
Then place this bag where you suspect is a good nesting area for squirrels.
Human voice
Talking actually repels squirrels. So while this may not work in all circumstances, a small radio tuned to a talk station will keep squirrels from coming inside.
It has to be talking though, as the voice is what scares them. Music does not deter squirrels as they just think it’s random noise.
Getting Rid Of Squirrels Living In The Garage
If you already have a squirrel living in your garage, you have a few options to deal with it.
Live traps
These are inexpensive and will usually catch the squirrel in a day or two when properly baited.
One issue to consider here is that if the squirrel is there with her babies, the babies will be orphaned.
So for some people, they may want to confirm there are no babies present.
If you use a live trap, you don’t have to release the squirrel that far away. As long as you’ve fixed your garage and sealed any holes, they won’t come back.
Also, releasing them too far away is generally not a good idea as the squirrels often cannot survive outside of their usual environment.
Bright light
Squirrels don’t like bright lights around their nest and it will cause them to leave.
If you know the general area of the nest, set up a bright light that is fire safe and direct it at the nesting area all day long. The squirrel will most leave as soon as it gets the chance.
How To Keep Away Squirrels From The Garage FAQ
Do mothballs keep squirrels away?
Generally, squirrels do not like the strong smell of mothballs and it will prevent them from building a nest in the area.
The smell has to be near enough where they plan to nest though for it to be effective.
What do squirrels hate?
Squirrels use their sense of smell to find food and avoid predators. Because of this, any odors they find offensive are usually hated by squirrels more than anything.
This includes things like vinegar or predator urine. So used kitty litter can often scare squirrels away very quickly.
How did a squirrel get in my garage?
Most likely through a small opening. Often these openings are around the roof where squirrels can easily get to by jumping or climbing.
Dark areas also attract squirrels since they don’t like bright lights around their nest. So if your garage is unused or often has the lights off, it will attract squirrels.
Attics are often the same as garages when it comes to squirrels. The darkness makes it a perfect nesting ground for them.
Do squirrels hate coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds do have a strong odor and squirrels generally avoid strong odors. So, this method can work if you can place the grounds close to where the squirrel may nest, or where you think the nest may be.
Final Thoughts On Getting Rid Of Squirrels In The Garage
Most homeowners end up only dealing with one squirrel in the garage, so this makes getting rid of them a little easier.
Make sure the garage is as uninviting as possible to squirrels using some of the tips in this article. Next, seal off any obvious openings, especially around the roof area of the garage where squirrels often enter.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to keep squirrels from deciding on making your home their next home.
Using repellents or squirrel traps works best to keep them away from your garage for good.
