My father has had a problem with red squirrels and chipmunks in his house. He's been catching them outside in baited traps and relocating them to a park about a mile away, but either they return or more come. His neighborhood has a lot of trees and squirrel activity.

He's had exterior holes screened over and now a hole at a 90 degree turn (where I witnessed a chipmunk squeezing in) has been plugged. He's put in electronic pest repellers. Since putting in the repellers, a squirrel has chewn two new holes through the bedroom wall. So much for the repellent effectiveness.

They've already done significant damage to the root cellar. They've apparently gotten into the duct work (we can't figure out how) and up into the pantry.

I am very uncomfortable with the idea of squirrels chewing through the bedroom walls
and possibly biting him, since they can be rapid. I've read that squirrels avoid humans under normal circumstances, but this doesn't offer much comfort.


Questions:

1. The Bell & Howell ultrasonic devices he has don't seem to be very effective. I've researched them and found that apparently rodents get used to the sound so if the devices are effective, it's only until the squirrels acclimate.

Does anyone know of any ultrasonic devices that DO work for squirrels and chipmunks?

2. What else can be done? A friend searched today for any other sources of entry but didn't find any. That doesn't mean though that the rodents haven't found a small out-of-the way hole that we haven't discovered.

3. The front porch is deteriorating on the side to the point that the dirt underneath can be seen. Could this be a point of entry? If so, would tuck pointing be appropriate to seal the holes, or more extensive patching required? And wouldn't this seal the squirrels in?

4. I've checked the E-How sites and found that various substances such as ammonia soaked rags, human hair, radio and pepper will deter them, but these are area specific remedies, and would I think work best and only where they're getting in and/or nesting.


Eradication of food source is a definite problem as my father won't cut down his walnut trees. Still, I'm hoping someone has some other suggestions?

Thanks for any responses.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: GardenSprite,

ultrasonic squealers are like fishing lures... primarily designed to catch the shopper.

a mouse can get into a hole that you can barely poke a pen into, so don't discount any failure of solid walls and structure as an entry point.

metal sheet and cement are about the best at plugging. however, the folks had a neighbor who haphazardly poked nails into flashing aluminum around the eaves, and because it was not meticulously installed, the squirrels pried up the metal and got back into the garage.

I'd set some bait trays inside the house at this point and check and clear them often, to kill off the stinkers that are teaching the newbies how to get in. no more live traps inside. the outside has to be tighter than a tick, and if you have low branches that the critters are using to slip into the house on, prune them back.

good luck. any bird feeder can tell you that squirrels are smarter than rocket scientists at the basics... food and shelter.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,

A BB gun works for me. Squirrel make an ok stew.
One gets in the house and they can and do eat the wiring, tear up the insulation, make holes in sheetrock, ect.
It's nice to be nice, but enoughs enough.

Adopt a little terrier dog from your local Humane Society.

Until recent times, terriers were bred to kill rats and mice on European farms. The rats and mice would eat the seed crops like barley and flax that farmers needed to survive the winter. That instinct that's been developed through cross breeding good terriers is still inside every terrier today. So, chasing down a furry little animal and shaking the snot out of it is something that'll just come naturally to a terrier.

The dog obviously couldn't harass the chipmunks as long as they're in the trees (short of barking at them), but with it's keen sense of smell it'll track down any squirrels in the house and leave them with a severe case of shaken squirrel syndrome too.

Also, by noticing that the terrier is sniffing at and scratching at any small holes inside or around your house, the dog will tell you where the squirrels are getting in. Once the terrier learns the scent of squirrels, he'll keep your house squirrel-free.


You say:

quote:

A friend searched today for any other sources of entry but didn't find any. That doesn't mean though that the rodents haven't found a small out-of-the way hole that we haven't discovered.

Squirrels have been known to climb trees.

Maybe get up into your attic or on your roof and see if you can find entry points that are accessible by climbing trees whose branches overhang your roof.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Nestor,

You could try calling animal control. If that doesn't work go to your local sheriffs office and explain to them that these critters are causing major damage and you need get rid of them, have them explain to you your options since hunting in some areas is prohibited. Also, call your insurance company and see if they will cover the damage.
A good 22 rifle with a scope works great but you can get by with a pellet pump rifle. Don't wait for them to come to you shoot em right out of the tree.