We Tested 5 Popular Ways to Get Rid of Attic Squirrels (And Found One That Actually Works)

by Emily Park April 26, 2025 Home & Garden

If you've ever had squirrels invade your attic, you know how disruptive and damaging they can be. One day, your home is peaceful; the next, you're hearing scratching noises overhead, finding chewed wires, and discovering nests in your insulation.

Like many homeowners, we wanted to find out what actually works to evict squirrels from the attic, so we put five popular methods to the test.

Some provided temporary relief. Others… not so much.

If you're tired of sharing your home with these uninvited guests, here's what we discovered.

Method #1: Squirrel Repellents

How it works: Various repellents—such as mothballs, ammonia-soaked rags, or commercial squirrel deterrent sprays—are placed in the attic to create an unpleasant environment for squirrels, encouraging them to leave.

Our experience: Initially, these methods seemed to have some effect. The strong odors appeared to deter the squirrels for a short period. However, the smell dissipated quickly, especially in a ventilated attic, requiring frequent reapplication. Moreover, some squirrels seemed undeterred, continuing their activities despite the repellents.

Final verdict: Provides only short-term relief and requires constant maintenance. Not a reliable long-term solution.

Method #2: Playing a Radio in the Attic

How it works: By placing a radio in the attic and tuning it to a talk station, the continuous human voices are supposed to make squirrels feel threatened and encourage them to vacate.

Our experience: We set up a radio to play talk shows around the clock. Initially, there was a decrease in squirrel activity, suggesting they were wary of the noise. However, after a few days, the squirrels seemed to acclimate to the sound and returned to their usual nesting spots.

Final verdict: Temporarily effective, but squirrels quickly become accustomed to the noise.

Method #3: Bright Lighting

How it works: Squirrels prefer dark, quiet spaces for nesting. Introducing bright lights into the attic is intended to disrupt their environment, making it less appealing.

Our experience: We installed bright lights throughout the attic and left them on continuously. This approach did deter the squirrels initially; however, the constant lighting led to increased energy costs, and some squirrels still found shadowed areas to nest.

Final verdict: Partially effective but not practical due to increased electricity usage and the potential for squirrels to adapt.

Method #4: Humane Trapping

How it works: Live traps are set up in the attic, baited with attractive foods like peanut butter or nuts. Captured squirrels are then relocated far from the property.

Our experience: We successfully trapped a few squirrels using this method. However, trapping requires regular monitoring to ensure the animals don't suffer, and relocating them is labor-intensive. Additionally, new squirrels often took the place of those removed, leading to a continuous cycle.

Final verdict: Effective for individual squirrels but not a sustainable long-term solution.

Method #5: Ultrasonic Repellents

How it works: Devices like the Squirrel Fortress Mini emit ultrasonic sound waves that are irritating to squirrels but inaudible to humans. The goal is to create an uncomfortable environment, prompting squirrels to leave and discouraging new ones from entering.

Our experience: Upon plugging in the Squirrel Fortress Mini, we noticed a significant decrease in squirrel activity within a few days. The device required no maintenance, was silent to us, and didn't rely on harmful chemicals. Unlike other methods, the squirrels did not acclimate to the ultrasonic sounds, leading to a lasting solution.

Final verdict: The most effective and hassle-free method for long-term squirrel eviction from attics.

Our #1 Pick for Getting Rid of Attic Squirrels for Good

After testing five of the most popular squirrel removal methods, we found that most solutions either require constant upkeep, lose effectiveness over time, or simply don’t work well enough to stop squirrels for good.

That’s why our top pick is Squirrel Fortress Mini—a simple, plug-and-play ultrasonic device that creates an inhospitable environment for squirrels, forcing them to leave without traps, chemicals, or expensive exterminators.

Unlike mothballs that fade, lights that drive up your energy bill, or trapping that only removes one squirrel at a time, Squirrel Fortress Mini is a set-it-and-forget-it solution that actually works.

Why Squirrel Fortress Mini Works When Other Methods Fail

Through our testing, we learned that squirrels are highly adaptable creatures. They quickly learn to ignore repetitive deterrents like radio noise or bright lights, and they often return to their nests even after being relocated.

Squirrel Fortress Mini breaks this cycle by using a science-backed approach that squirrels can’t get used to.

Here’s why Squirrel Fortress Mini is the most effective attic squirrel deterrent we tested:

• Uses Ultrasonic Sound That Squirrels Can’t Tolerate – Unlike traditional pest control methods, Squirrel Fortress Mini emits high-frequency ultrasonic waves that are silent to humans and pets but unbearable to squirrels. The sound irritates their nervous system, making your attic an uncomfortable place to nest.
• Prevents Squirrels from Returning – The variable frequency technology ensures that squirrels never get used to the sound, making them abandon the area permanently.
• Completely Silent and Non-Disruptive to Humans – Unlike radios or alarms that can be annoying to homeowners, Squirrel Fortress Mini is 100% silent to people and household pets, yet powerful enough to drive squirrels away.
• No Maintenance Required – Simply plug it into a wall outlet in your attic, basement, or crawl space, and it works 24/7 without any need for refilling, adjusting, or resetting.
• Safer and More Humane Than Traps or Poisons – Unlike traditional extermination methods that harm or kill squirrels, this solution drives them out naturally without causing stress or suffering.

The Science Behind Squirrel Fortress Mini

The reason Squirrel Fortress Mini is so effective comes down to how squirrels perceive their surroundings:

1. Squirrels rely on their hearing – Their ears are far more sensitive than humans’, and they use sound to detect predators and assess threats. The ultrasonic waves emitted by Squirrel Fortress Mini create an unbearable auditory environment, forcing them to flee.
2. They have a strong attachment to nesting sites – Squirrels often return to the same nesting spots year after year. But when their environment becomes unpredictable and irritating, they abandon their nests and don’t come back.
3. They learn from experience – Unlike static deterrents like lights or scent-based repellents, Squirrel Fortress Mini continually changes its ultrasonic frequencies, ensuring that squirrels never become accustomed to the sound.

Final Verdict: The Best Way to Get Rid of Attic Squirrels for Good

If you’re tired of squirrels chewing on wires, damaging insulation, and keeping you awake at night with their scratching, Squirrel Fortress Mini is the simplest, safest, and most effective way to get rid of them—without chemicals, traps, or costly pest control services.

1. 100% humane – removes squirrels without harming them
2. No maintenance required – plug it in once and let it work automatically
3. Completely silent to humans and pets
4. Works in attics, basements, crawl spaces, and garages
5. Backed by science – forces squirrels out and keeps them from coming back

If you’re serious about getting rid of attic squirrels once and for all, don’t waste another dollar on temporary fixes.