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Squirrel Removal and Control in Austin, TX
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Professional Squirrel Removal & Attic Cleanup in Austin, TX
Cen-Tex Wildlife Control specializes in the removal and exclusion of squirrels from all structure types, no matter the shape or size, when it comes to squirrels we've got you covered. Not only do we remove the squirrels, we also cleanup the droppings they leave behind. If you hear noises in your walls or attic and are under the impression there may be a squirrel or family of squirrels living on the property, give us a call and a Cen-Tex Wildlife Control technician can perform a thorough inspection of the property to determine the severity of the problem and in fact if there is a squirrel or squirrels in your home.
Common Signs of Squirrels in the Attic
Squirrels may seem harmless, but when they get into your home they can cause serious damage, including chewed electrical wiring that increases the risk of house fires, structural damage, and contamination in attic spaces. Squirrels chew constantly, damaging wires, wood, and insulation. This creates fire hazards and costly repairs if left untreated.
Like all animals, squirrels can carry parasites, they leave behind excrement, and they can leave both in your attic. Squirrel droppings, like pretty much any wildlife dropping, are associated with leptospirosis and salmonella. If you suspect an infestation, it’s important to act quickly. Here are some common signs you may have squirrels in your home:
- Noises: Scratching, scurrying, or running sounds—often heard during the day, especially in the attic or ceiling
- Roof Damage: Chewed or damaged vents, soffits, roof edges, or eaves
- Entry Points: Small holes or gaps near the roofline or along eaves
- Droppings & Odor: Presence of droppings or a strong, unpleasant smell in enclosed areas
- Nesting Materials: Leaves, twigs, paper, or other debris used to build nests
- Visible Activity: Squirrels seen frequently on the roof or near potential entry points
- Stains & Grease Marks: Dirt or rub marks around openings, walls, or entry areas
How can we help you with your squirrel issue?
Service Locations
We proudly serve homeowners across Austin and the greater Central Texas area, including Leander, West Lake Hills, Spicewood, Manor, Bee Cave, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Hutto, Dripping Springs, Taylor, Tarrytown, Rollingwood, Horseshoe Bay, Driftwood, Lakeway, Liberty Hill, and nearby communities. Local experience means we understand Texas wildlife behavior and seasonal activity patterns.
Why You Should Act Fast on a Squirrel Infestation
Chewed electrical wires create a serious fire hazard by significantly increasing the risk of house fires, while squirrels can also cause structural damage to your attic, roof, and wooden components. Their droppings and urine contaminate insulation, leading to strong, unpleasant odors and potential health concerns. On top of that, squirrels reproduce quickly, allowing a small problem to rapidly grow into a much larger and harder-to-control infestation.
Squirrels in your attic aren’t just a nuisance—they can quickly turn into a serious and costly problem. Delaying removal increases the risk of damage to your home and potential safety hazards for your family. Taking action early helps prevent escalating repairs and health concerns. Don't wait, call Cen-Tex Wildlife Control today!
Step-by-Step for Permanent Squirrel Removal from Attic
Cen-Tex provides professional squirrel removal in Austin, TX, specializing in structural squirrel exclusions for both residential and commercial properties. Our team is trusted for squirrel control services in Austin and offers fast, reliable emergency squirrel removal. We deliver affordable squirrel removal with humane squirrel removal methods and complete squirrel exclusion services. As 24/7 squirrel removal specialists in Austin, we handle full squirrel infestation removal with expert care and long-term prevention solutions.
Inspection & Entry Point Identification
We begin with a comprehensive, top-to-bottom inspection designed specifically for squirrel removal. Our technicians carefully examine the entire exterior and interior of the structure to locate active entry points and conditions that may attract squirrels. Common access areas include soffits, roof vents, fascia boards, chimney gaps, eaves, and intersections where rooflines meet. During the inspection, we look for clear signs of squirrel activity such as gnaw marks, grease rubs along entry holes, nesting materials, tracks, and droppings. Inside attics and wall voids, we assess insulation damage, tunneling, and contamination caused by urine and feces.
Partial Sealing of Entry Points
Our structural squirrel exclusion process in Austin, TX goes beyond simply blocking holes. It’s a strategic, step-by-step method designed for safe and complete removal. We begin by sealing all identified secondary entry points using durable materials such as galvanized steel mesh and professional-grade sealants. This prevents squirrels from escaping into other areas of the structure or re-entering through alternative openings during the removal process. The primary active entry point is intentionally left open at this stage and fitted with a one-way exclusion device. This specialized device allows squirrels to exit the structure naturally but prevents them from getting back inside. By partially sealing the structure in this controlled manner, we ensure that all squirrels are funneled out through a single exit point, eliminating the risk of trapping them inside walls or attics where they could cause further damage or create odor issues. Once we confirm that all squirrel activity has ceased, the primary entry point is permanently sealed and reinforced to match the rest of the structure, completing the exclusion process and securing the home against future infestations.
Installation of Exclusion Device or Trap
Then we install a repeater trap or one-way squirrel exclusion door at the primary entry point. Before installation, the area is carefully prepared by clearing debris, trimming back obstructions, and reinforcing the surrounding structure to ensure a secure and airtight fit. This step is critical to prevent squirrels from bypassing the device or creating new openings nearby. The exclusion device is then custom fitted to the exact size and shape of the entry hole. We anchor it firmly using weather-resistant fasteners and, when necessary, integrate steel mesh around the perimeter to close off any gaps. This ensures that the only available exit for the squirrels is through the device itself. Proper angling and placement are key, allowing squirrels to exit naturally while preventing re-entry. When using repeater traps, we position them directly over or adjacent to the active entry point along known travel paths to maximize effectiveness. These traps are secured to prevent movement and are checked regularly to ensure humane handling and timely removal. Throughout the process, our technicians monitor squirrel activity to confirm that the device is functioning correctly. Adjustments are made if needed based on behavior patterns or structural conditions.
Complete Squirrel Removal / Exclusion Confirmation
Once all squirrel activity has completely stopped, we finalize the squirrel exclusion services in Austin by permanently sealing the main entry point with heavy-duty steel mesh and reinforced materials designed to withstand future chewing or intrusion attempts. We also re-check previously sealed secondary areas to ensure the structure is fully secured from top to bottom. To complete the process, we can recommend or perform additional restoration services such as droppings cleanup, odor remediation, and insulation replacement if contamination occurred. This full-service approach ensures not only complete squirrel removal but also restores the safety, cleanliness, and integrity of your home while preventing future infestations.
Optional Attic Cleanup, Decontamination & Squirrel Damage Odor Remediation
We provide professional odor remediation, squirrel dropping cleanup, deodorization, and insulation removal to fully restore homes affected by squirrel contamination. Squirrels cause extensive damage by entering homes through wood, aluminum siding, light-gauge screening, roof vents, and gable vents. Once inside, they can damage air conditioning ducts, electrical and alarm wiring, and insulation while leaving behind urine and droppings that create strong odors, health risks, and structural contamination requiring expert cleanup and wildlife remediation services. To fully resolve these issues, we offer optional attic cleanup and decontamination services in Austin, TX, including removal of contaminated insulation, squirrel nesting materials, and droppings, followed by professional-grade sanitation and odor neutralization. Our full-service approach ensures effective squirrel control in Austin, complete wildlife cleanup, and long-term protection for your home.
Why DIY Squirrel Removal Methods Don’t Work
The following tactics will NOT effectively solve a squirrel problem:
- Using rat poison: Most squirrels will not consume it, and even when they do, it often does not resolve the full infestation. Dead animals in walls or attics can also create severe odor and sanitation issues. Open entry points will still allow new squirrels to move in.
- Setting traps in the attic: While logical in theory, squirrels rarely enter traps inside enclosed attic spaces. This method is highly unreliable and usually ineffective for full removal.
- Placing traps outside or on the roof: This may capture a few squirrels, but it rarely removes the entire colony. It is a slow, incomplete approach that does not address the root problem—entry access.
- Using repellents (sprays, powders, ultrasonic devices, flashing lights): These products are widely marketed but generally ineffective. Squirrels quickly adapt or ignore them, especially once they have already established a nest.
- Blocking holes without removal: Sealing entry points too early can trap squirrels inside, leading to chewing damage, noise, and contamination inside walls or attics.
- Waiting for them to leave naturally: In most cases, squirrels will not leave permanently if the space is safe, warm, and sheltered. They often return or remain long-term if not properly excluded.
Squirrel removal is not a simple DIY task. Without proper inspection, exclusion, and sealing techniques, infestations often return or worsen over time. Professional wildlife control focuses on identifying entry points, safely removing animals, and permanently securing the structure to prevent re-entry.
Squirrel Diseases & Health Risks in Homes
Squirrels are generally not a major public health threat, but they can carry parasites such as fleas and spread bacteria through urine and droppings. Potential diseases linked to contamination include leptospirosis, salmonella, plague, and squirrel pox. While they are most active in the morning and evening and typically feed on nuts and seeds, squirrels living in attics or homes can create serious issues over time. The primary concerns are not just health-related, but also structural and safety risks. Squirrels often damage insulation, chew electrical wiring (which can increase fire risk), and contaminate attic spaces with droppings and nesting debris. They may also damage exterior wood trim and other building materials. Because of the noise, contamination, and potential for property damage and fire hazards, most homeowners choose professional squirrel removal to eliminate the infestation and prevent further risks.
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Need Squirrel Removal in Austin, TX? We’re Ready to Help
Centex Wildlife Control can rid you of your squirrel problems in Austin, TX through humane trapping and relocation. Followed by guaranteed repair work to provide a permanent solution. In severe cases, we may recommend the removal of saturated insulation and fecal matter, Ask about our attic Deodorization & cleanup services.
Common Squirrel Removal Questions
How Do Squirrels Get Into my Attic?
Squirrels are excellent climbers. Most of the time, they've chosen an attic based on convenience or proximity to their normal home range. Squirrels are excellent chewers, so they often chew through wooden fascia boards or other areas to gain access. If there's an easy and obvious way in, all the better. A house with wide-open holes and easy access stands a higher chance of seeing a squirrel enter at some point. Squirrels can fit through small areas, so most of the time they don't even need to chew their way in - they just find a gap somewhere in the architecture. Easy climbing access, such as trees adjacent to the house, also increases the probability of animal entry and habituation. But even without nearby trees, squirrels have no problem climbing almost anything. The most popular area of entry is any place where an eave meets up against a roof portion of the house, such as a dormer, or any architectural bend leading sections of the roof to meet. They also often get in where the roofline meets the fascia. Vents, both on the roof, the gables, and under eaves, are very common entry points, especially if they are not sealed properly.
What Do They Do Once Inside?
After a squirrel finds a way in and decides to live in an attic, it basically sets up shop. It establishes areas in the attic it likes to live in, establishes feeding and bathroom areas, it flattens and clears out insulation in areas it wants to sleep, and if it's a female, it finds areas in which to give birth and raise its young. During the course of its time in an attic, it expands all of these areas and uses more and more space.
What Damage Does a Squirrel Cause in An Attic?
The squirrel often finds bedding material by shredding roof or wall paper, and shredding vent ducts and insulation around pipes. The biggest problem is that they chew, and I've seen dozens of cases in which they've chewed electrical wires. It's estimated that half of house fires of unknown origin are due to rodent chewing on electrical wires. I've been to several homes that have experienced power outages due to squirrels chewing on wires, along with alarm systems being tripped, and PVC plumbing lines chewed through, resulting in big water damage. Basically, if you've got any wires or pipes in the attic, the squirrels will gnaw on them. Also animals that live in houses also sometimes die in houses, and the odor of a dead squirrel is incredible. I remove many dead squirrels from attics. They also urinate and defecate everywhere. I've seen some attics that have been heavily contaminated with squirrel droppings. This is not only unsanitary and smells bad, but squirrel droppings are host to a number of zoonotic diseases.
What About Squirrels in a Chimney?
Squirrels get into chimneys as well. Some of the same principles as outlined below apply to squirrels in chimneys. However, odor deterrents are more effective due to the concentrated area. DO NOT START A FIRE if you have squirrels in the chimney - you'd have to open the damper to let the smoke out, and they will enter the fireplace instead of climbing out. Even if they don't get into the your house or fireplace, you will cook animals alive and get a horrendous odor that will last a long time. Many professional wildlife removal experts have special squirrel in chimney removal systems if odor deterrents don't work. If you've got a slick metal flu that the squirrel has fallen down, the only way to get the animal out (aside from letting it into the fireplace) is to lower a thick rope, with a weight on the end, down the flu. This will allow the squirrel to climb out on its own.
Will Squirrels Leave on Their Own?
It depends on the situation. If it’s a female with young, she may leave after about three months once the babies are old enough to survive on their own. However, she will often return later to the same safe nesting area for another litter. If the squirrels have simply found a warm, dry, and secure space like an attic, they are unlikely to leave voluntarily. In most cases, squirrels will not leave on their own because attics provide ideal nesting conditions, shelter from predators, stable temperatures, and easy access to food nearby. Even if they are temporarily disturbed, they often return or move to another part of the same structure. For this reason, waiting for squirrels to leave is usually not effective. Without professional exclusion and sealing of entry points, they tend to remain or come back repeatedly, leading to ongoing noise, damage, and contamination.