Squirrels

Homeowner, renter or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ensure pet food, bird food, and food compost are not accessible to squirrels.
• Check your home and other structures for holes that squirrels may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials, such as metal flashing or hardware cloth.

Around home

• Dispose of garbage properly, and secure garbage in an animal-proof receptacle when possible.
• Clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Use squirrel resistant birds feeders and ensure spilled seeds are removed promptly.
• Sturdy fencing with 1.5 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from squirrels and other wildlife. A single or double strand hot-wire/electric fence may help discourage squirrels from gardens.
• To keep squirrels from climbing or jumping onto your roof, cut any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap your chimney to keep squirrels from climbing in your fireplace.
• Cap chimneys and ensure vent screens are used and intact.
• Squirrels will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the squirrels to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Squirrels generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase squirrels, which can lead to injury for both animals.
• Keep poultry feed and other livestock feed secured to prevent squirrel access.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your house are the best ways to reduce squirrel conflicts.
• If a squirrel gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the squirrel. Seal the opening through which the squirrel entered once the squirrel leaves.
• If squirrels are causing issues around bird feeders, install squirrel resistant bird feeders or remove bird feeders for at least two weeks.
• Various squirrel deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If you found an injured squirrel or a young squirrel that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of squirrels other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting or trapping is allowed, a squirrel may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting or trapping license if the squirrel is doing or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a squirrel not related to damage during the regulated season. Note the season for red squirrels, ground squirrels, and chipmunks is year-round, while the season for fox squirrels and grey squirrels is shorter as defined in regulations.
• In areas where hunting and trapping are not allowed, you can contact a nuisance animal control company.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Educate residents about removing food sources like outdoor pet food and bird food that can attract squirrels. Spring and fall are the best times for messaging.
• Check buildings for holes that squirrels may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Your community

• Encourage residents to dispose of garbage properly. Talk to your waste company about providing residents with animal-proof garbage receptacles.
• Educate residents about using squirrel resistant bird feeders and ensure spilled seeds are removed promptly to reduce attracting squirrels.
• Encourage residents to clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Sturdy fencing with 1.5 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from squirrels and other wildlife. A single or double strand hot-wire/electric fence may help discourage squirrels from gardens.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding squirrels and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Encourage residents and park staff to dispose of garbage properly. Consider talking to your waste disposal company about integrating animal-proof trash receptacles.
• Ensure parks have ordinances and signage requiring users to clean grills, not feed wildlife, etc. to reduce attracting squirrels.
• Eliminate or board up abandoned structures that can provide shelter for squirrels.
• Remove large brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures where squirrels may find food and shelter.
• Reduce squirrels from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap chimneys to keep squirrels from climbing in fireplaces.
• Squirrels will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the squirrels to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents about securing poultry and livestock food that attract squirrels.
• Squirrels generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase squirrels, which can lead to injury for both animals.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Preventing squirrels from being attracted to food and shelter resources are the best ways to control squirrel problems.
• If a squirrel gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the squirrel out. Seal the opening through which the squirrel entered once the squirrel leaves.
• Various squirrel deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If squirrels are causing issues around bird feeders, install squirrel resistant bird feeders or remove bird feeders for at least two weeks.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but the type of animal causing it is unknown, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If someone finds an injured squirrel or a young squirrel and they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of squirrels other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows hunting, a squirrel may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting license if the squirrel is doing or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used during the regulated hunting or trapping season to lethally remove a squirrel not related to damage during the regulated season. Note the season for red squirrels, ground squirrels, and chipmunks is year-round, while the season for fox squirrels and grey squirrels is shorter as defined in regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for squirrel management.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Remove or secure food sources like cafeteria waste and bird food that can attract squirrels.
• Check your building and other structures for holes that squirrels may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Grounds

• Ensure that staff and students are disposing of garbage properly, ideally in animal-proof receptacles.
• Use squirrel resistant bird feeders and ensure spilled seeds are removed promptly to reduce attracting squirrels.
• Encourage staff to clean grills of food scraps and grease.
• Sturdy fencing with 1.5 inch or smaller holes can help protect gardens from squirrels and other wildlife. A single or double strand hot-wire/electric fence may help discourage squirrels from gardens.
• Eliminate or board up abandoned structures that can provide shelter for squirrels.
• Remove large brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures where squirrels may find food and shelter.
• Reduce squirrels from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap chimneys to keep squirrels from climbing in fireplaces.
• Squirrels will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the squirrels to climb out.

Pets and livestock

• Squirrels generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Encourage staff and visitors to keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase squirrels, which can lead to injury for both animals.
• If your business or school has poultry or other livestock, ensure feed is not accessible to squirrels.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your building are the best ways to control squirrel conflicts.
• If a squirrel gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the squirrel. Seal the opening through which the squirrel entered once the squirrel leaves.
• If squirrels are causing issues around bird feeders, install squirrel resistant bird feeders or remove bird feeders for at least two weeks.
• Various squirrel deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but the type of animal causing it is unknown, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If someone finds an injured squirrel or a young squirrel and believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of squirrels other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• If hunting is allowed on your grounds, a squirrel may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting license if the squirrel is doing damage or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a squirrel not related to damage during the regulated season. Note the season for red squirrels, ground squirrels, and chipmunks is year-round, while the season for fox squirrels and grey squirrels is shorter as defined in regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for squirrel management.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Keep livestock feed and outdoor pet food stored securely to minimize squirrel access.
• Check outbuildings and other structures for holes that squirrels may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Your farm or orchard

• Metal shielding or sturdy fencing with 1.5 inch or smaller holes can help discourage squirrels from climbing fruit trees and other large plants. Fitting hot-wire/electric fencing around plants may especially discourage squirrels.
• Remove fallen fruits, nuts, and vegetables that may attract squirrels and other wildlife.
• Keep grain bins, hay bales, and similar materials stored securely to reduce squirrels using it for food or shelter.
• Where possible, remove large brush piles, rock piles, and similar structures where squirrels may find food and shelter.
• Reduce squirrels from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap chimneys to keep squirrels from climbing in fireplaces.
• Secure building doors and windows for livestock and outdoor pets to keep squirrels from entering outbuildings.

Pets and livestock

• Secure poultry food and other livestock food to reduce attraction to squirrels.
• Squirrels generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase squirrels, which can lead to injury for both animals.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your farm or orchard are the best ways to control squirrel conflicts.
• If a squirrel gets into an attic or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the squirrel. Seal the opening through which the squirrel entered once the squirrel leaves.
• Various squirrel deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but you are not sure what type of animal is causing it, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If you found an injured squirrel or a young squirrel that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of squirrels other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting is allowed, a squirrel may be lethally removed by the property owner or their designee without a hunting license if the squirrel is doing damage or is physically present to imminently cause damage.
• A hunting or trapping license is required if one of those methods is used to lethally remove a squirrel not related to damage during the regulated season. Note the season for red squirrels, ground squirrels, and chipmunks is year-round, while the season for fox squirrels and grey squirrels is shorter as defined in regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for squirrel management.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Ensure food sources like cafeteria waste and garbage are secured to avoid attracting squirrels.
• Check hangers and other structures for holes that squirrels may use for access. Seal any holes with durable materials.

Around buildings

• Encourage staff to properly dispose of trash and use animal-proof garbage receptacles when possible.
• Reduce squirrels from climbing or jumping onto roofs by cutting any tree limbs within a few feet of the roof. Also be sure to cap chimneys to keep squirrels from climbing in fireplaces.
• Squirrels will sometimes climb into window wells and find themselves unable to climb out. Place a rough board into the well and allow the squirrels to climb out.
• Squirrels generally avoid pets, but may bite if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are likely to chase squirrels, which can lead to injury for both animals.

Airfields

• Minimize shelter for squirrels by maintaining short vegetation and removing features like rock piles or trees with large cavities.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around the airfield are the best ways to control squirrel conflicts.
• If a squirrel gets into a hangar loft or similar space, use noise (loud radio, banging pots and pans) to deter the squirrel. Seal the opening through which the squirrel entered once the squirrel leaves.
• Various squirrel deterrents, such as lights and chemical repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• If damage from wildlife is occurring but the type of animal causing it is unknown, setting up at least one trail camera at that location is a good way to identify the animal.
• If someone finds an injured squirrel or a young squirrel and believes it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of squirrels other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• If squirrels are causing a public safety issue at an airport, a DNR Wildlife Division regional supervisor or district law enforcement supervisor or their designee can issue a removal permit without an investigation.
• If hunting or trapping is allowed on airport property, squirrels can be removed with legal hunting or trapping methods during the regulated season provided a valid hunting or trapping license. Note the season for red squirrels, ground squirrels, and chipmunks is year-round, while the season for fox squirrels and grey squirrels is shorter as defined in regulations.
• You can also contact a nuisance animal control company for squirrel management.