How Much Does Squirrel Removal Cost?

Highlights

• The typical cost range for squirrel removal is between $125 and $1,500, with the national average cost at $350.
• The total cost of squirrel removal will depend on several factors, including location of the nest, the removal method, the number of squirrels, the size and type of the property, and the wildlife removal company used.
• Some of the most common signs of a squirrel infestation include scratching noises in the walls or attic, squirrel droppings, unpleasant odors, clear points of entry, damaged wiring and gardens, and the sounds of squirrels fighting.
• Squirrel removal is a task best left to a professional because squirrels can carry and spread disease; a wildlife removal company will know how to remove them from the home safely and humanely.

Squirrels may be enjoyable to watch as they scamper around a park or climb up and down trees, but they are decidedly less enjoyable when they choose an attic or basement for their nesting place. When squirrels nest in a home, they can cause serious damage to wiring, insulation, drywall, roof joists, and more. They can also leave behind hazardous feces and urine, making prompt and effective squirrel removal necessary.

If homeowners notice signs of squirrels in their home, prompt removal can help limit the amount of damage that the animals can do. Squirrels like to nest in dark, quiet areas, making attics, garages, garden sheds, and even the ceiling and walls ideal places for them to call home.

According to HomeAdvisor, removing squirrels from a home, shed, or yard can cost as little as $125 for basic trapping in an easy-to-access location. The average falls at $350, but the cost rises for more difficult areas, more squirrels, and more damage, going as high as $1,500. In some cases, local city or county animal services, the state’s wildlife commission, or environmental agencies may offer free squirrel removal.

Squirrels in Attic Removal Cost vs. Other Location Costs

Squirrels often nest in attics because they are dark and quiet and provide protection from the elements, but they can also make their nests in other areas like the garage or basement; they can even nest in the ceiling and walls. The cost for squirrel removal varies depending on the location and the level of removal difficulty.

• Attic. It’s common for homeowners to get squirrels in the attic, since it’s dark, quiet, and private. The cost to remove squirrels from the attic ranges from $300 to $600.
• Basement. Removal from a basement will cost between $150 and $275. Luckily, basements are relatively easy to access, which can keep the cost to remove squirrels from this location lower than from other, harder-to-access locations.
• Ceiling. Squirrel removal from a ceiling is often the most costly—between $750 and $1,500—because it may be more difficult to find the nest given the larger area. There is also the opportunity for the squirrels to do more damage to wiring, insulation, ceiling joists, and more.
• Shed. Removing squirrels from a shed can cost less than from other areas depending on the type of shed. A small garden shed is likely easier to access than an attic or a ceiling, and there are probably fewer wires as well as less insulation and drywall that may need to be repaired compared to in a home. The cost to remove squirrels from larger, more complex sheds may come closer to the cost to remove them from a home.
• Garage. The cost to remove squirrels from a garage falls between $300 and $500. Squirrels don’t often nest in garages that are in frequent use, but if the space is used for storage and largely left alone, they may find it to be a desirable home.
• Chimney. The cost to remove squirrels from a chimney ranges from $200 to $300. Removing squirrels from a chimney is important because their nests can block the chimney, making it unusable. After the squirrels are removed, the homeowner will want to have a chimney service check it out to make sure it’s clear and safe to use.
• Lawn or yard. Squirrel removal from a lawn or yard can be difficult if the space remains attractive to squirrels. It can cost between $125 and $250 to get rid of squirrels in a yard, but taking measures to make the area less attractive—removing fruit and nuts that have fallen on the ground, installing squirrel-proof bird feeders, and squirrel-proofing a garden—can encourage squirrels to hang out elsewhere.

Factors in Calculating Squirrel Removal Cost

Squirrel infestations that are caught in the early stages may be easier, and thus less costly, to remove. For instance, a squirrel family of babies that are still confined to their nest will likely be easier to trap than mobile juvenile squirrels. Catching the infestation early can also result in less damage from squirrels gnawing on electrical wiring, structural elements, and insulation; leaving droppings and urine; and creating holes as entry points.

Removal Method

Removing squirrels requires a few different methods that can be used individually, but it’s likely that a squirrel removal service will use more than one method to remove the squirrels and prevent them from returning.

• Relocation. If the homeowner sets their own live traps, which cost about $50 each, hiring a relocation service to remove and relocate the squirrels will cost between $75 and $125.
• Trapping. Live traps will catch squirrels alive and allow them to be taken to a different area and then released. It costs between $250 and $550 to hire a service to catch the squirrels using live traps and then relocate them to a more suitable area.
• Exclusion door. Using an exclusion door costs about the same as using traps and also typically includes the cost for the squirrel removal service to relocate the animals.

Number of Squirrels

The number of squirrels in need of relocation will impact the overall cost. If there is a mother squirrel with babies, it’s important to remove the babies as well as the mother, as without her, they will starve and die and be left to decompose. And the dedicated mother will do everything in her power to get back to her babies, likely causing more damage and creating more work —and, therefore, raising the cost.

If babies are present, once the mother leaves, the squirrel removal specialist can remove them after the mother has been trapped or kept out by an exclusion door. Some companies will then leave the babies in a temperature-controlled box outside, and the mother will move them to a new location.

Trapping a single squirrel or a pair will cost between $200 and $350; trapping a family runs between $300 and $600; and handling larger infestations, typically made up of multiple nests, costs between $500 and $800.

Property Size and Type

Depending on the level of infestation and the accessibility of the infestation area, the size and type of the property can affect squirrel removal cost. Squirrel removal from larger properties (3,000 to 4,000 square feet) can cost between $700 and $1,000, while removal from smaller properties (1,000 to 3,000 square feet) can cost between $200 and $700.

Wildlife Removal Company

Wildlife removal companies can charge different amounts for the same service, so getting estimates from a few squirrel control companies can help reveal the best price. Checking reviews from previous clients and asking friends and family for referrals can also help homeowners narrow down the search for a squirrel exterminator. The cost for squirrel removal handled by a wildlife removal company typically falls between $200 and $600. The following are the cost ranges for squirrel removal from some of the most common companies.

Additional Costs and Considerations

Additional costs and considerations related to the total cost of squirrel removal include having a wildlife removal company conduct a squirrel inspection if squirrels are suspected. Homeowners may also need to have dead squirrels removed from the yard or home. Once squirrels are removed, the area will also need to be sanitized and possibly repaired.

Squirrel Inspection

If a homeowner suspects squirrels are present in their home, they can call a wildlife removal or pest control company to inspect the area for signs of squirrels—or for the squirrels themselves. The inspection costs between $100 and $250, but if the presence of squirrels is confirmed, the company may waive the fee and charge just for the removal.

Dead Squirrel Removal

A strong odor of decay can indicate that there’s a dead rodent somewhere in the home, and it’s often a squirrel. A dead and decaying squirrel can cause more problems than an awful smell. As the body decomposes, it can stain the walls or ceiling where it’s located, and the decaying animal can attract maggots and flies. Dead squirrel removal costs between $150 and $250, with the final cost depending on how much cleaning and sanitization need to be done to remove the smell and sanitize the area. Dead squirrels in the yard may cost less to remove, but the area should still be sanitized to mitigate dangers associated with squirrel droppings or decomposition.

Squirrel Cleanup and Sanitization

Squirrel cleanup and sanitization should be included in the total cost of the squirrel removal. Larger infestations will cost more to clean and sanitize than smaller infestations, and a dead squirrel in a less advanced state of decay will likely cost less to remove and clean up than one that has been decomposing for a while.

Repairs

Removing the actual squirrel is just one factor in the actual cost of squirrel removal. If the squirrels have damaged wiring, drywall, or insulation, among other things, these repairs should also be factored into the cost. Some example costs are as follows:

• Drywall. Drywall damage that requires a simple patch can cost around $50 to $75 per square foot. If more repairs are necessary, drywall repairs can cost as little as $294 and go as high as $883 if there is extensive damage.
• Electrical. The cost to repair damaged electrical wiring can run about $3 to $5 per square foot and also depends on the complexity of the project.
• Structural. Repairing ceiling beams and joists can cost between $150 and $1,000, depending on the extent of the damage. If the area can be patched, it will likely cost less than if materials need to be replaced.

The more extensive the damage, the more it will likely cost to repair. Other repair and cost considerations include damage to personal property that’s stored in the attic or garage and potential damage to vehicles if the squirrels have invaded the garage.

Emergency Squirrel Removal

In the event that the squirrel needs to be removed quickly or the job needs to be done on a weekend or after business hours, emergency squirrel removal can cost an additional $100. That said, even emergency squirrel removal may take time, as the squirrels will have to be trapped, which may not happen immediately if they’re out and about or don’t enter the traps right away.

Additional Pest Control Services

Squirrels often carry fleas, which spread quickly and can invade a home. After the squirrels have been removed, it may be wise to bring in a squirrel pest control company or flea exterminator to look for signs of fleas even if the homeowner hasn’t seen any signs of them. If fleas are present, it’s important for a homeowner to take care of them quickly and hopefully prevent them from moving into the main parts of the home. Hiring a flea exterminator costs between $75 and $400.

Types of Squirrel Removal Services

Squirrels can be removed with the help of an exclusion door or live trap, and once they’re caught, they can be relocated to a suitable place away from the home. The following are the three main types of squirrel removal services and their average cost ranges.

Exclusion Door

An exclusion door looks similar to a live trap, but it’s attached to the exterior of the home and features a one-way door, so squirrels can exit but can’t return through the door. Squirrel exclusion door costs range from $250 to $550 and may include the cost of removing babies from the nest and relocating them.

Relocation

Squirrel relocation is necessary if the squirrel is caught in a live trap. Squirrels will need to be released at least 3 miles away from the home, but some experts recommend taking them up to 10 miles away before they’re released. It can also help if they’re moved across a major highway or large body of water. Simple squirrel removal with a live trap and relocation costs between $50 and $175.

Traps

Squirrel traps for sale can cost as little as $50 and as much as $100 or more, and they’re readily available at any home improvement or hardware store. If a neighbor has had a similar problem, it may be possible to borrow a squirrel trap from them to reduce the overall price of squirrel removal. It’s possible for homeowners to set traps themselves and then just pay for relocation, which runs between $75 and $125.

Do I Need Squirrel Removal?

Understanding the signs that there’s a squirrel in the home is the first step in squirrel removal. Some clear giveaways include scratching or scampering noises in certain areas of the home (often in the walls or ceiling), dusty squirrel footprints, squirrel droppings, unpleasant odors, and damage to electrical wires.

Scratching or Scampering Noises

Anyone who’s watched a squirrel for more than a few seconds knows how much and how quickly they run around. And while this may be cute at the park, it’s less cute if it happens in the walls of a home. Scratching or scampering noises are a clear sign that there is squirrel activity where there shouldn’t be.

Dusty Squirrel Footprints

Squirrels like to nest in dark, quiet places. In a home, these are the types of places that tend to accumulate dust. If dusty squirrel footprints are spotted, it’s important for the homeowner to take action quickly. If squirrels are suspected but the homeowner can’t find sure signs, sprinkling baby powder or flour on the floor and leaving it overnight can reveal squirrel activity.

Squirrel Droppings

Squirrel droppings are dark brown, smooth, and barrel shaped. If a homeowner spots squirrel droppings, it’s important for them to address the issue quickly. Squirrel droppings can carry salmonella and leptospirosis. Both diseases can cause severe health issues that range from vomiting and diarrhea to headaches and stomach pains. Attic squirrel droppings or droppings in other, less-frequented areas may not be spotted right away, so when the droppings are found, it’s important for the homeowner to notify a wildlife removal company as soon as possible.

Unpleasant Odors

Unpleasant odors resulting from squirrels in the home can be a result of squirrel droppings and urine as well as a dead squirrel left to decompose. These unpleasant odors are often a sign that there is a serious problem, and the longer the issue persists, the more intense the smells and potential health hazards become.

Clear Points of Entry

Some squirrel entry points will need a trained professional to spot, but clear points of entry can be obvious to homeowners who are on the lookout. Depending on the type of squirrel, some can squeeze through a hole about the size of a golf ball and possibly smaller. To locate possible squirrel entry points, homeowners can inspect the roofline and roof edges, soffits, walls, ceiling, gable vents, and roof-soffit intersections. If it looks like there’s a hole, that could be a squirrel entry point, and the homeowner may need to call a wildlife removal company for a squirrel inspection.

Damaged Bird Feeders and Plants

Squirrels love to eat. If there’s a bird feeder on the property, chances are the squirrels have helped themselves, often damaging the bird feeder or plants on their quest for a full tummy. While squirrels are very active, they don’t stray too far from their nest, typically staying within a few miles. If a squirrel is helping itself to a bird feeder, it probably means the nest is close by. If there are squirrels frequenting the bird feeder or damaging plants, homeowners will want to keep an eye out for other signs of a squirrel infestation.

Damaged Electrical Wiring

Because electrical wiring is typically hidden behind walls and in ceilings, damage can be hard to spot. If electrical wiring is damaged, the lights will likely flicker or stop working altogether. If this happens, it may be the result of a squirrel infestation. Squirrels will need to be removed quickly and a professional electrician will need to assess the situation and repair it as quickly as possible, as home fires can result from damaged electrical wiring.

Fighting Squirrels

Squirrels fight for a few different reasons. Young squirrels play fight much like other animals as a way to build their mobility, coordination, and strength. Older squirrels may chase each other and fight to establish dominance, or the ruckus may be related to mating or nest protection. Fighting and chasing can occur anywhere there are multiple squirrels and can often be observed outdoors, but if there are multiple squirrels in the home, the sounds of fighting may be heard in the ceilings or walls.

Squirrel Removal: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional 

DIY squirrel removal would entail trapping and relocating the squirrel, inspecting the area for damage, repairing the damage, and cleaning and sanitizing the area. However, there are many reasons why a homeowner may want to hire a professional to remove squirrels from their home instead.

Squirrel removal, and pest and rodent removal in general, will most likely need to be done by a trained professional from one of the best wildlife removal services. Squirrels leave behind droppings and urine that, if not properly cleaned and sanitized, can be hazardous to the homeowner’s and their family’s health. Another concern with squirrel removal is their ability to carry rabies and their tendency to become territorial and protective if they or their young are threatened. Professionals know how to handle feisty squirrels.

Professional wildlife removal specialists are also able to identify entry points that homeowners may miss—entry points can be as small as the size of a quarter depending on the type of squirrel. They can also spot damage that the squirrels may have done and recommend local contractors who offer repairs. Finally, they know how to get rid of squirrels safely and humanely, which makes wildlife removal costs worth it for homeowners who want to ensure the animals are handled properly.

How to Save Money on Squirrel Removal Cost

The best way to save money on squirrel removal cost is to identify the problem early and take action quickly. The longer a squirrel lives in the home, the more damage it will do. Preventative measures before there’s an actual problem can also help homeowners save money down the road. The following are some ways to mitigate the cost of squirrel removal.

• Make the yard less desirable. Remove debris, such as piles of leaves and branches, from your yard.
• Squirrel-proof your bird feeders. Look into some ways you can deter squirrels from eating from your bird feeders, and make sure spare birdseed is stored in a sealed container.
• Act early. If you notice any signs of squirrels, it’s a good idea to contact a wildlife removal specialist as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage the squirrels could cause, and the higher the cost will be to fix the problem.
• Keep trees near the home trimmed. Trim branches that may allow squirrels to climb onto the roof of the home or shed.
• Seal off holes. If there are potential squirrel entry points around your roof, seal them off as soon as you can.
• Use squirrel deterrent methods. Use odors, such as ammonia and predator urine, and chemicals, such as capsaicin, for deterrence.

Questions to Ask About Squirrel Removal

Before hiring a wildlife removal company to come to the home, the homeowner will want to ask a few questions to ensure the contractor can provide the service and remedy the problem. It’s also important for homeowners to check out reviews from previous customers and to take a look at the company’s website to see if any of the information is provided. The following are some questions homeowners can ask when looking for a squirrel removal service.

• How much does the inspection cost, and is it waived if I hire you to do the removal?
• Do you offer any warranty or guarantee of your services?
• How much will squirrel removal cost, and is there a chance that the cost will change?
• Do you provide a written quote?
• What is your squirrel removal process?
• Do you use live traps? Exclusion doors?
• Where do you relocate the squirrels?
• Do you handle cleaning up, or do you subcontract or make recommendations?

FAQs

If a squirrel infestation is present in the home, quick action is essential to making sure the problem doesn’t multiply—literally. But it’s normal for a homeowner to have questions regarding squirrel removal. The following are some frequently asked questions that homeowners have when they think there is a squirrel infestation and are looking into squirrel removal costs.

Q. How do I get a squirrel out of my house?

If there’s a squirrel in the house, the homeowner can use one of the best squirrel traps to catch it and then relocate it to a location away from the home. Homeowners will also want to ensure that any babies are removed. A wildlife removal company or other local organizations like the state or local wildlife control services can help ensure the squirrels are trapped and relocated humanely.

Q. Why do squirrels go to my attic?

Squirrels prefer to nest in dark, quiet places away from lots of activity. Female squirrels look for these types of places when they’re ready to have their babies, so the babies will be protected. Attics offer a safe place away from the elements where squirrels feel that they can nest safely.

Q. Are squirrels dangerous?

As a rule, squirrels aren’t dangerous, but they are wild animals, so homeowners will want to avoid them as much as possible and keep a safe distance. Squirrels can become territorial, especially if it is a mother with babies in the nest. Squirrels in the home can pose health risks from their droppings and urine, and they can increase fire risk by chewing and damaging electrical wires.

Q. Can squirrels chew through the wall?

Yes, squirrels can chew through the wall. Because their teeth are always growing, they must constantly chew things to keep their teeth under control. That is why they can cause so much damage to a home. Not only can they chew through a wall, but they can also chew through wires, insulation, and more.

Q. Do squirrels stay in the attic all day?

Squirrels are constantly in search of food, so unless they have a food store in the attic, it’s unlikely that they will stay there all day. Babies, on the other hand, will stay in the attic and won’t venture out until they are older and able to do so on their own.

Q. What smell repels squirrels?

Squirrels are repelled by the smells of ammonia and predator urine, and by capsaicin. Spreading these scents around the house and on branches that squirrels favor or can allow them to get onto the roof can deter them. These scents will need to be reapplied periodically and after rain to keep them fresh.

Sources: HomeAdvisor (1 and 2), Angi, Fixr, Forbes, Bankrate