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Original poster

Serious suggestions for squirrel invasion!?

43 replies

Bloodysquirellls · 08/09/2026 20:13

How am I going to get the squirrel out of my house. Ongoing saga now for months. It has defied both private and council pest control capture. Also many personal efforts.

It’s eating my electrics!

I have tried everything I can think of.

The only thing I can think of which I can’t afford is rigging the whole house with thermal imaging camera.

HELP 🙏

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 09/09/2026 02:52

Bloodysquirellls · 08/09/2026 20:58

I think we managed to block one of its entrances. It was suddenly very aggressive in the garden. It then pulled a tile. We got that fixed. Now it’s in there again. Anything we do only lasts a few days

Show quote history

We had squirrels in between floors - we have a loft extension. They had to be poisoned. Then we put chicken wire all round the house to stop any new ones getting in. We’d had them previously in the loft and they shredded my lifetime collection of dress patterns.

parietal · 09/09/2026 01:40

Chilli powder will definitely help. Use lots.

Stinkybooks · 09/09/2026 01:04

Find someone local who has a willing terrier or ferret?

Original poster
Bloodysquirellls · 09/09/2026 01:00

KaitlynFairchild · 09/09/2026 00:57

I admire your attempt to use humane solutions, but as grey squirrels can't legally be released (assuming you are in the UK) once trapped it will be put down.

Given that it will die if trapping works, is having it humanely shot an option?

I have considered shooting. Our gardens tiny and backs onto multiple others so not sure how we could actually do that without potentially shooting someone else.

Plus I would have to hire someone with a gun. So what are the chances that squirrel appears at said time and stands in said location to hired man/ woman’s schedule.

I concluded this strategy would be more likely to kill my bank account than the squirrel.

OP posts:
KaitlynFairchild · 09/09/2026 00:57

I admire your attempt to use humane solutions, but as grey squirrels can't legally be released (assuming you are in the UK) once trapped it will be put down.

Given that it will die if trapping works, is having it humanely shot an option?

Original poster
Bloodysquirellls · 09/09/2026 00:55

Chattanoogachoo · 09/09/2026 00:40

I remember visiting a client whose attic had been destroyed by squirrels culminating in a serious fire.
It's scary stuff really.I'm assuming they're grey squirrels so would be regarded as a pest.
My local rspb reserve cages and kills them which did rather shock me.

Oh god don’t!

And that is regarding the fires.

I too was shocked when the pest man said it, and thought no no no.

But then I saw it aggressively standing me off in the garden with tail ticking before running at me. And then it got back in again. At this stage I have accepted death is the only option. They are so strong and determined. Their food is in there. They aren’t going give up trying to get back in.

OP posts:
Chattanoogachoo · 09/09/2026 00:40

I remember visiting a client whose attic had been destroyed by squirrels culminating in a serious fire.
It's scary stuff really.I'm assuming they're grey squirrels so would be regarded as a pest.
My local rspb reserve cages and kills them which did rather shock me.

Original poster
Bloodysquirellls · 09/09/2026 00:14

Shatteredallthetimelately · 08/09/2026 22:13

Wonder if placing chilli powder in your loft will work, squirrels are very sensitive to the capsaicin in it.

World food aisle in the supermarket sell bags in various sizes.

Ooo interesting. Could atleast sprinkle that over the electrics.

I was saying to DP earlier. I am slowly starting to accept we can’t win this fight. We need to get the electrics rewired anyway. Do we just rewire with armoured cable in giant tubes or something.

But it shits and wees up there 🤢

OP posts:
Original poster
Bloodysquirellls · 09/09/2026 00:12

GreenShady · 08/09/2026 23:19

I paid someone to set a humane trap - the squirrels were way too clever though, they’d sit on the fence scoffing the peanut butter and giving me evils 😆

We have tried traps! With peanut spray. Maybe we need actual peanut butter. Good idea

OP posts:
GreenShady · 08/09/2026 23:19

I paid someone to set a humane trap - the squirrels were way too clever though, they’d sit on the fence scoffing the peanut butter and giving me evils 😆

2kidswelshmum · 08/09/2026 23:16

Squirrels invading a house?! I love squirrels 😆 all the ones in our garden do is forage for seeds and scamper off scared if I so much as blink near them.

WombatStewForTea · 08/09/2026 22:16

My father in law swears by peanut butter bated traps for squirrels

PensionPTake · 08/09/2026 22:15

Is there anyone you can borrow a wildlife camera/ring type doorbell from to see where it's getting in?

Shatteredallthetimelately · 08/09/2026 22:13

Wonder if placing chilli powder in your loft will work, squirrels are very sensitive to the capsaicin in it.

World food aisle in the supermarket sell bags in various sizes.

LauritaEvita · 08/09/2026 21:01

Surely there has to be some like of squirrel whisperer type person who can help? What about the terriers that farmers hire for ratting? Hopefully someone will be along with a solution.

Original poster
Bloodysquirellls · 08/09/2026 20:58

LauritaEvita · 08/09/2026 20:18

Oh feck. This is something I’m scared of as we have squirrels in the garden who are not one bit scared of us. Feel for you.

I think we managed to block one of its entrances. It was suddenly very aggressive in the garden. It then pulled a tile. We got that fixed. Now it’s in there again. Anything we do only lasts a few days

OP posts:
LauritaEvita · 08/09/2026 20:18

Oh feck. This is something I’m scared of as we have squirrels in the garden who are not one bit scared of us. Feel for you.

Anothercake · 08/09/2026 20:14

Well he's clearly your Overlord so you should probably start laying out offerings.

Sorry, nothing sensible to add.