Wildlife & birds
Squirrel removal and exclusion in Salt Lake City, UT
Scampering in the attic at dawn, a chewed hole at the roofline, a burrow under the porch. Squirrels do real damage to wiring and insulation, and the fix is getting them out and closing the door behind them.
Most active
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Quick answer
Squirrel removal in Salt Lake City usually means tree squirrels in attics and soffits, or rock squirrels burrowing along foundations and porches on foothill lots. We find every entry, install one-way doors so squirrels can leave but not return, trap where one-way doors won't work, then seal the openings with metal and check the attic for damage to wiring and insulation.
At a glance
- Best for
- Squirrels in attics, soffits, walls and under porches
- Method
- One-way doors, trapping where needed, then sealing
- Most active
- Spring litters and fall food storage
- Follow-up
- Checks until the attic is clear, then repairs
Warning signs
Signs of squirrels
Sign 01
Scratching in the attic at dawn and dusk
Squirrels are active by day, so noise early and late points to them.
Sign 02
Chewed holes at the roofline
Round holes in soffits, fascia, vents or where roof sections meet.
Sign 03
Droppings and nesting in insulation
Shredded insulation and leaves piled in the attic.
Sign 04
Burrows along the foundation
Rock squirrel burrows under porches, slabs and rock walls.
Sign 05
Chewed wiring
Squirrels chew wires in attics, a real fire risk.
Overview
Getting squirrels out, and keeping them out
Tree squirrels get into attics through gaps at the roofline, chewed soffits and vents, especially where tree branches reach the roof. Once inside, they nest in insulation, chew wiring and wood, and raise young in spring.
Rock squirrels are a different problem, common on foothill lots: they burrow under porches, slabs, sheds and rock walls, and their tunnels can undermine landscaping and concrete.
The approach is removal plus exclusion. One-way doors let squirrels leave without coming back, trapping handles the ones that won't use them, and every opening is sealed with metal once the attic is clear. In spring we check for young before sealing so none are left behind.
How the visit goes
How squirrel removal goes
Inspect
Roofline, soffits, vents, attic and foundation for entries and activity.
Install one-way doors
Squirrels can leave but can't get back in.
Trap where needed
Trapping for squirrels that won't use the door or for burrowing rock squirrels.
Seal the openings
Metal flashing and mesh over every entry once the attic is clear.
Check for damage
Wiring, insulation and wood damage noted for repair.
What it covers
Squirrel work we do
Squirrels in attics
Tree squirrels removed from attics, soffits and walls.
Rock squirrels along foundations
Burrowing rock squirrels under porches, slabs and sheds on foothill lots.
One-way doors and exclusion
One-way doors, then metal sealing of every entry point.
Salt Lake conditions
Wildlife, rabies and handling safely
Utah agriculture officials say wild animals may act unusually tame when they're sick, and raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes are considered high risk for rabies, so any wild animal in the house should be handled by someone equipped for it. For squirrels, the bigger risk is damage: Salt Lake City's median home was built in 1965 and about a quarter predate 1940, and aging soffits and roof vents are easy for squirrels to chew through.
Trimming branches back from the roof removes the highway squirrels use to reach the roofline.
Sources: deseret.com, point2homes.com
Timing
How long squirrel removal takes
- First visitInspection and one-way doors or traps installed.
- A few days to a weekSquirrels leave through the doors or are trapped.
- SealingOpenings sealed once the attic is confirmed clear.
- RepairsInsulation and wiring damage addressed afterward.
Your options
Squirrel removal options
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| One-way doors | Attic and soffit squirrels | Must check for young in spring |
| Trapping | Rock squirrels and squirrels that won't leave | Needs regular checks |
| Exclusion sealing | Every job | Done after the animals are out |
| Tree trimming | Branches touching the roof | Ongoing yard maintenance |
Do it yourself?
What you can do
What you can do today
- Trim branches at least a few feet back from the roof.
- Keep bird feeders away from the house.
- Screen attic and roof vents with sturdy metal mesh.
- Note when you hear activity so we can plan around it.
What to leave alone
- Sealing a hole while squirrels are inside.
- Using poison in the attic, which leaves animals to die in walls.
- Reaching into holes or nests.
- Ignoring chewed wiring.
Before we arrive
Before we arrive
- Note where and when you hear activity.
- Clear access to the attic hatch.
- Point out holes or damage you've seen.
- Keep pets inside during the visit.
- Unlock gates for the exterior inspection.
- Tell us about bird feeders or fruit trees.
- Tell us if you've seen young squirrels.
- Leave nests and holes as they are.
Wildlife work is mostly exclusion hardware and trapping; product lines like these cover the rodents and insects that follow.
- Protecta
- Contrac
- Temprid
- Tempo
Cost
What squirrel removal costs
Priced by the number of entry points, the height of the work and how much sealing is needed.
Number of entries
Each opening needs a door or seal.
Height
Roofline and gable work needs ladders or lifts.
Trapping visits
Traps need checking until animals are caught.
Sealing materials
Metal flashing, mesh and vent covers.
Attic damage
Insulation and wiring repairs are separate.
Out, then sealed
One-way doors get squirrels out without trapping them inside. Metal sealing keeps the next ones from moving in.
Call (801) 516-0135Squirrels reach the roofline along overhanging branches.
FAQ
Squirrel removal & exclusion questions from Salt Lake homeowners
Still unsure? (801) 516-0135 is answered around the clock.
Through gaps at the roofline, chewed soffits and vents, often reached from nearby tree branches.
They rarely attack, but they chew wiring, which is a fire risk, and damage insulation and wood.
A device over the entry hole that lets squirrels out but not back in.
In spring we check for young before sealing so none are trapped inside.
Ground-dwelling squirrels common on foothill lots that burrow under porches, slabs and rock walls.
We seal entries with metal and note insulation and wiring damage for repair.
Usually a few days to a week to get squirrels out, then sealing.
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Squirrels in the attic?
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