How Much Does Squirrel Removal Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $250 - $450
Professional squirrel removal costs $300 on average, but this typically varies between $200 and $600, depending on the number of squirrels involved, where they have set up home, and the removal method.
The national average price to remove squirrels from your home or yard is $300, though you could pay even more if the squirrels managed to damage your home. Squirrels are cute, there’s no denying that, but they are notorious chewers and like to make nests in attic insulation. When you notice their presence, it’s time to call in a pro. Here’s how you can budget for that.
- Average
- $300
- Low end
- $200
- high end
- $600
Squirrel Removal Cost Factors
How much you spend on squirrel removal depends on multiple factors. Consider the following when calculating your budget.
Removal Type
| Squirrel Removal Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Trap and release | $200–$500 |
| One-way door | $200–$400 |
| Snap traps | Up to $300 |
| Dead animal removal | $150–$250 |
The methods used for removing squirrels influence your final bill. Local squirrel control professionals may use a multi-pronged approach, depending on the location and extent of the infestation, local laws, and what you’re comfortable with them doing.
Trap-and-release: This common and effective strategy typically costs $200 to $500. It involves setting up baited traps before relocating the critters to a suitable location. You need a license in many states for trapping and relocating, so this job is best left to the professionals.
One-way doors: Costs are typically between $200 and $400. The pros can help you identify squirrel entry points into your home and install doors that allow the critters to get out but not back into the property. While the pros might not need to return, they usually have to make adaptations to install these doors, and the extra time and equipment add to the costs.
Squirrel-specific snap traps: This is typically the least expensive option, costing up to $300 (but can be much less if you DIY this job). However, if the pros are involved, they might need to return to deal with snapped traps and reset them. And, of course, snap traps aren’t as humane as the other options.
Dead squirrel removal: Professional removal of a dead squirrel in a difficult-to-reach place on your property typically costs $150 to $250.
Labor
Labor costs differ depending on the company—some charge per trapped animal and some by visit. There may also be add-ons for the time it takes to set up the traps, relocate trapped squirrels, or make adjustments for one-way doors, etc.
Infestation Size
The cost to trap a family of squirrels is usually more than it will be to get rid of one pesky visitor because it involves extra time for set up and repeat visits. The pros might also need additional equipment.
| Amount of Squirrels | Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| Single | $200–$300 |
| Small group | $300–$450 |
| Large nest | $450–$600 |
| Infestation | $600+ |
Location
Professional removal of squirrels nesting in easy-to-access trees in your yard might cost $200 to $300. Removing a nest from a hard-to-reach spot in your attic could cost $300 to $500. If the squirrels have set up camp inside your wall cavities or chimney, costs may be $600 or more, given it’s especially tricky to set up and access traps in these areas.
Additional Squirrel Removal Costs to Consider
Depending on the extent and location of your squirrel situation, you might have to factor in other expenses.
| Additional Cost Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Inspection | $100–$150 |
| Repairs | $100–$1,000 or more |
| Preventative measures | $50–$300 |
| Supplemental visits | $150–$1,000 |
| Flea extermination | $75–$400 |
Inspection
A squirrel's nest in a tree is usually pretty obvious. If you suspect they’ve set up a home in your house, you might need to arrange a professional inspection. Inspections typically cost between $100 and $150.
Some companies waive the inspection fee if the presence of squirrels is obvious—like when you’ve seen them hanging out in your attic—and begin the removal work immediately.
Infestation Repairs
Squirrels might look cute, but these masterful munchers can quickly wreak havoc on your home. Squirrel damage can range from a little gnawing on shingles or dropping deposits to major holes in your roof, siding, drywall, or electric wiring damage.
Some repair costs you could be looking at if squirrels have been living the high life in your home for a while include:
Roof repair costs: $150–$1,000
Attic cleaning costs: $150–$1,000
Rewiring costs: $2–$4 per square foot
Siding repair costs: $2–$16 per square foot
Drywall repair costs: $300–$900
Preventative Measures
It’s best to adopt an integrated pest management strategy to prevent problems with squirrels in the future. That means you need to consider how to keep squirrels away from your home and how to keep squirrels away from your yard, as well as getting rid of them. Preventative measures could cost another $50 to $300, depending on what you need to put in place.
Professionals can offer advice and assistance regarding things like chemical or ultrasonic repellents, blocking access holes to your home, and removing attractants.
Follow-Up Visits
If your property is in a squirrel hotspot, you might want to hire a company to make annual visits. Frequency will determine the ultimate bill, but these visits typically cost $150 to $1,000 annually.
Permits
Some states require special permits for trapping or exterminating some squirrel species. If you’re going down the DIY route, you need to check this and might pay for the privilege.
Additional Pest Removal
Squirrels can be carriers of ticks, lice, and fast-spreading fleas. When you’ve had a squirrel’s nest in your wall cavities, you might need to consider flea extermination to prevent these bugs from taking over your home. Flea extermination costs $75 to $400.
Cost of Common Squirrel Removal Add-Ons
If you’re calling an animal removal service near you, it’s worth considering if other critters might have set up a home on your property.
You could make savings if the professionals tackle the eradication of multiple species at the same time.
Other common pest control costs include:
Skunk removal costs: $300–$600
Rat removal costs: $175–$580
Mole removal costs: $100–$550
Groundhog removal costs: $150–$200
Bat removal costs: $225–$715
Tips to Reduce Costs While Removing Squirrels
Even if you don’t want to do full DIY squirrel removal, there are ways you can cut costs on the final bill.
Buy and set up traps yourself: Some pros may be happy just to come to do the relocation part.
Get multiple quotes: Ask for prices from at least three reputable, licensed animal removal companies rather than settling on the first one you contact.
Be on point with preventatives: Don’t forget to seal up entry points and remove squirrel attractants. Otherwise, you might be calling in squirrel control again in a few weeks or months.
Cost to Remove Squirrels Yourself
You can make considerable savings by trying DIY squirrel removal, with potential costs being as low as $50 to $100. You might only have to purchase a one-way door or some traps and then set up repellents as part of a preventative strategy.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
While DIY methods are less expensive initially, getting things wrong can cost much more in the long run. Handling squirrels without the proper experience can also lead to extra stress for you both and the potential for being bitten.
Hiring a professional squirrel removal company near you saves a lot of worry and hassle. They know the best squirrel bait for traps, and they’ll deal with the problem promptly, humanely, and effectively. Plus, they’ll offer tips to help you minimize the chance of having more squirrel invasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
If squirrels set up a home in your attic, they can cause considerable damage. It’s not uncommon for them to chew holes in your roof, siding, or joists, and they can eat through electrical wiring. They might also travel to other parts of your home or into your wall cavities. Not to mention all that bacteria-filled feces and urine they spread around.
Squirrels hate not having access to secure shelter or food sources. Your best line of defense is to make your property less attractive by removing access to these things. There are chemical squirrel repellents, but these have mixed success. According to Pennsylvania State University, you can apply products containing the bittering agent denatonium saccharide to a squirrel's favorite fence, tree, or roof spots. However, you need to reapply repellents regularly, which aren’t scientifically proven effective.
According to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, no frightening devices are proven effective for squirrel control. This is likely because the squirrels quickly become habituated to the noises. However, strobe lights show some promise, so motion-activated lighting could be an option worth considering as part of your integrated pest management strategy.
Unlike for rats and mice, poisonous baits and fumigants aren’t a legal option for dealing with squirrel invasions. So, don’t set any traps up using standard rodenticides. Remember that you typically need a permit for trapping and relocating squirrels found on your property. Some states even specify the types of traps you need to use.