How does one get rid of squirrels in their pole barn attic?

Jary
by Jary
Some squirrels got in the attic portion of the pole barn a few years back. They're ruining some of the insulation in the walls. I have some balance issues and don't dare walk across the trusses up there. I've tried a trap and got two squirrels, but there's more and they're now leery of the trap.

  7 answers
  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Dec 09, 2017

    As you have balance issues and any DIY could be very dangerous for you, please call an exterminator! If this is not in your budget, contact your area agencies that serve the disabled to see if they can give help.

    • Fawn Fawn on Dec 11, 2017

      I had the same problem. I put out extra bird seed, waited for them and my 20 guage did the rest

  • Patrick Morgan Patrick Morgan on Dec 09, 2017

    Air rifle, rat poison, mothballs.

  • Candi Candi on Dec 10, 2017

    What's a pole barn???

    • Jary Jary on Dec 10, 2017

      A pole barn is a building which is built upon 6x6 inch poles or larger which are put about 42 inches in the ground. From the outside, they look like a regular building. This help?

  • Fong-Lie Bavelaar Fong-Lie Bavelaar on Dec 10, 2017

    I wonder to what a pole barn attic is, in the house, in the barn? And mister Patrick, shooting and killing is no option, there are peaceful ways!

    • Jary Jary on Dec 10, 2017

      A pole barn is a building that's built on 6x6 inch or larger treated timbers that are sunk in the ground 42 inches or more to avoid problems with frost. They're usually separate from other buildings. The roof is often held up by trusses which make walking in the attic portion a little treacherous.

  • Mimi Mimi on Dec 10, 2017

    We've had squirrelS in the attics of two different homes, and have had to resort to animal control companies each time. I've been told that when a squirrel is born in a certain place, he will always try to return; I don't know if that's true, since their brains are the size of English peas, but anyway... We tried all the home remedies: moth balls, traps, etc. The little devils are so persistent that we finally surrendered. Haven't had any further problems since the animal control folks came.

  • Fong-Lie Bavelaar Fong-Lie Bavelaar on Dec 10, 2017

    Thank you for the info about the barn. Barn and garage, when there are holes, squirrels, opossums and raccoons will get in. Don't know where you are located, as special with bad winter conditions they try to find a place to shelter. Please be careful with balances issues, stay save, try to find somebody who is able to help you with closing all holes. I would help you when I would be close by. Wildlife protection can help also, with trapping and relocating, no need to kill!!

  • Lane1021 Lane1021 on Dec 10, 2017

    We like the squirrels just didn't want them in our attic where they were determined to dwell. My husband built three simple squirrel houses from plans we found online. We patched up the entry hole to the attic when we were sure the squirrels were not there and didn't have babies and put a new squirrel house over the patch. The other two squirrel houses we put in trees on the property. Solved the problem. Squirrels will chase off newbies looking for living quarters and actually two squirrel houses would have been enough. Six years later, we still have squirrels that live in the squirrel houses and have never had any more try to gnaw into the attic.

    • Jary Jary on Dec 11, 2017

      Never thought of building some squirrel houses. Inspite of some efforts, I haven't found where the squirrels come and go from. I'd probably need to do some more investigation there, but I like the idea of the squirrel houses. Thanks!