Yes, you can get a squirrel out of your wall using a one-way exclusion door, humane live traps, and strategic sealing of entry points.
The key is to let the squirrel exit on its own while preventing re-entry. Do not seal the hole with the animal inside, or you will end up with a dead squirrel decomposing in your wall cavity. This guide covers every step from detection to permanent exclusion.
- Listen for scratching sounds near dawn and dusk to confirm a squirrel is inside your wall.
- Install a one-way exclusion door over the entry hole so the squirrel can exit but not re-enter.
- Never seal squirrels inside walls, they will die, decompose, and attract pests.
- Seal all gaps larger than a quarter with 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth and galvanized steel flashing.
Signs of Squirrel Activity in Walls
Before attempting removal, confirm you are dealing with squirrels and not another animal. Eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels exhibit distinct patterns:
- Scratching and scurrying sounds during daylight hours, especially early morning and late afternoon. Nocturnal sounds (nighttime) usually mean rats or raccoons.
- Chewed holes the size of a golf ball or larger along rooflines, eaves, or siding corners.
- Droppings in the attic or near wall openings. Squirrel droppings are oblong, about 3/8 inch long, similar to a grain of rice.
- Nesting material like leaves, twigs, or torn insulation visible near wall vents or gaps.
- Grease marks along entry points from the oils on squirrel fur as they squeeze through tight spaces.
Place a crumpled paper towel loosely into the suspected entry hole. Check it the next morning. If it has been pushed aside or pulled inward, you have confirmed active entry.
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Squirrel Out of Your Wall
Follow these steps in order. Skipping steps can trap the squirrel inside or lead to re-infestation.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
- 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth
- One-way exclusion door or funnel
- Exterior-grade screws and drill
- Heavy-duty work gloves
- Flashlight
- Live trap (optional, for stubborn squirrels)
- Low-expansion spray foam
- Caulk and waterproof sealant
- Identify the main entry hole. Go outside and inspect your roofline, eaves, and siding. Look for the most obvious hole near where you hear scratching. Squirrels typically use one primary entry point even if there are multiple holes.
- Install a one-way exclusion door. Cut a piece of 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth slightly larger than the hole. Attach it at the top and sides only, leaving the bottom open. Bend it outward so the squirrel can push out but cannot re-enter. Leave this in place for about a week.
- Confirm the squirrel has left. Listen for scratching sounds for a few consecutive days of silence. Check for fresh droppings near the hole. If you placed a paper towel test, it should remain undisturbed.
- Seal the entry hole permanently. Once you are certain the squirrel is gone, remove the exclusion door and seal the hole with 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth secured with exterior-grade screws every 4 inches. Backfill around the edges with low-expansion spray foam and seal with waterproof caulk.
- Set a live trap near the hole (if needed). For squirrels that refuse to exit, place a baited live trap just outside the entry point. Use peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or whole unsalted nuts as bait. Check the trap frequently and, where legal, relocate caught squirrels a considerable distance away.
Never seal the entry hole while a squirrel is still inside. A trapped squirrel will gnaw through drywall, electrical wiring, and plumbing to escape, causing expensive damage. It may also die inside the wall, creating odor and fly problems.
Sealing Entry Points After Removal
Getting the squirrel out is only half the job. Permanent exclusion after weaning season (late summer or early fall) requires sealing every potential entry point on your home.
Squirrels can squeeze through gaps as small as 1.5 inches (golf ball size) and will test weak spots repeatedly.
| Material | Squirrel Can Chew? | Best for Exclusion |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth | No | The best all-around squirrel sealing material |
| Galvanized steel flashing | No | Rooflines, eaves, foundation transitions |
| Chicken wire / poultry netting | Yes, easily | Do not use; squirrels chew through it in minutes |
| Drywall (interior) | Yes, easily | Must be backed with hardware cloth or steel |
| Wood (pine, cedar) | Yes, with effort | Cover with metal flashing or replace with composite |
| Expanding spray foam alone | Yes, easily | Use only as filler behind hardware cloth, never alone |
- Cover all vents and chimneys with 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth. Do not use chicken wire, squirrels can chew through it.
- Install L-shaped metal flashing at a 45 degree outward angle along rooflines to prevent climbing.
- Trim tree branches well back from the roofline to remove launching points.
- Seal gaps around pipes and wiring entering your home with steel wool and caulk.
- Repair damaged soffits and fascia boards where wood has rotted or warped.
After sealing, inspect your home from the outside using binoculars. Walk the entire perimeter and look for any gap a squirrel could squeeze through. If you can slide a coin into an opening, a squirrel can widen it.
When to Call a Professional
Some situations require a licensed wildlife control operator:
- You suspect a nursing mother with babies inside. Separating a mother from her young is inhumane and often illegal. A professional can locate the nest, remove the babies by hand, and set a one-way door for the mother.
- The squirrel is inside a finished wall cavity with no obvious exterior access. Cutting into drywall is best left to someone who can locate the squirrel precisely and repair the opening properly.
- Damage involves electrical wiring. Chewed wires create a fire hazard that requires an electrician to assess.
- Multiple squirrels over several weeks. Recurring infestations indicate a colony or a hidden entry route a professional can identify.
- Local laws require a licensed professional for squirrel removal. Many states and municipalities prohibit relocating squirrels without a permit.
For trapping equipment and humane removal tools, read my best squirrel traps guide and squirrel repellent review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A squirrel trapped inside a wall cavity can gnaw through electrical wiring (creating a fire hazard), tear apart insulation, and compromise structural wood. Repair costs for undetected wall damage can be significant.
Listen for scratching or scampering sounds during daylight hours (squirrels are diurnal). Look for chewed holes the size of a golf ball near rooflines, oblong droppings (3/8 inch) in the attic, and grease marks around entry points from their fur. Nocturnal sounds usually mean rats or raccoons, not squirrels.
The most effective DIY method is installing a one-way exclusion door over the entry hole. This lets the squirrel exit but prevents re-entry. You can also set a live trap baited with peanut butter or sunflower seeds near the hole. Bright lights and loud noises rarely work on established squirrels.
Laws regarding trapping and releasing wildlife vary by location. Checking with local authorities or wildlife agencies before attempting trapping activities is essential.
With a one-way exclusion door, most squirrels leave within a couple of days. The full process including sealing takes a week or more. Live trapping can take a few days. A nursing mother with babies takes longer, since you must wait until the young can exit on their own.
The Bottom Line
Getting a squirrel out of your wall is a straightforward process when you follow the right sequence: confirm the animal is a squirrel, install a one-way exclusion door, wait for it to leave, and seal the entry permanently.
The entire process usually takes a week or so and costs far less than professional removal for a DIY solution. Act quickly, the longer a squirrel stays inside, the more damage it does to wiring, insulation, and structural wood.
If you found this guide helpful, read my detailed instructions on what to do about squirrel-chewed walls and how to clean up after an infestation.
Compare DIY vs professional wildlife removal to decide the best approach.
