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overhanging your home so squirrels can't get to your roof. Check the area around your roof for branches that allow easy access to your roof. Then, use a chainsaw to remove the branches, effectively cutting off access to your attic. Squirrels will use tree branches as a bridge to your attic. They may even live in the tree most of the time but venture into your attic for nesting supplies or comfort during bad weather. If you aren't experienced in cutting tree branches, hire a professional to do it. Not only could you get injured, you could also accidentally cause damage to your roof. Check both the exterior and interior of your home for visible holes. Then, use animal-resistant patches to cover the holes, which will prevent the squirrels from coming through them. If you're not sure how to repair the holes, hire a general contractor to do it for you. They'll also be able to double check that every hole is covered. Ask around for a referral to a good general contractor, or conduct an online search to find one in your area. Secure the mesh screen by screwing it down. This prevents the squirrels from entering your attic through the vents. These screens will not interfere with the effectiveness of your vents. A general contractor can also help you install the mesh screens, if you're having trouble doing it yourself. Use a combination of mesh screens, plaster, and caulk to over any gaps around your wiring or plumbing fixtures. This helps reduce the risk of the squirrels squeezing though the holes or gnawing around the gaps to make them bigger. Since squirrels are rodents, they can squeeze through very small holes. Additionally, they can gnaw around an existing hole to make it larger. As with the other repair jobs, you may want to hire a general contractor to take care of this for you. Measure the perimeter of the top of your chimney, called the crown, as well as the size of your flue. Purchase a chimney cap or mesh screen that is larger than the flue but smaller than the crown. Clean the top of your chimney to remove any debris, then fit the chimney cap or mesh over the hole, making sure there are no gaps around it. Use a drill to screw the chimney cap or mesh screen in place. This allows the smoke to escape your chimney but prevents squirrels from using your chimney as an entrance to your home. Make sure you don't leave debris around the chimney, as this could become a fire hazard. Clean your chimney cap or mesh screen every few months during use, as well as before winter arrives. Soot buildup can cause damage or may become a hazard. If you live in the UK,there are rules and regulations for how chimney caps are installed. Once it's in place, a building inspector will need to check your chimney cap to make sure it's installed correctly. For this reason, it's best to hire a professional to do it. Make a funnel out of wire mesh or a thin sheet of metal, then position the large end of the funnel over the final exit hole on the outside of your home. The narrow end of the tunnel should point toward the outside of your home. This allows the squirrels to go outside to find food or water but prevents them from re-entering your home. Ideally, the large end of your funnel should have a diameter of around 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38cm). The small end should slightly smaller than the hole the squirrel is using to enter and exit your home. Make the the length of your tunnel about 12 inches (30cm) long. Put a handful of peanuts, some peanut butter, crackers, or apple slices at the end of the tunnel or just outside of it. This will entice the squirrel to make its exit quickly. You don't need to use bait, as the squirrel will eventually leave to collect more food. However, using bait can encourage the squirrel to leave your home sooner.
Cut tree branches Repair any holes in the exterior of your home. Cover air intake and exhaust vents with a mesh screen. Apply seals around electrical wiring and plumbing fixtures so squirrels can't enter. Put a chimney cap or wire mesh over your chimney. Create a one-way exit hole if you think squirrels remain. Bait the end of the tunnel if you want to speed up the process.