Q&A for How to Get Rid of a Squirrel in Your House

Squirrels don't like the smell of their predator's urine, such as fox or coyote urine.

It's really important to keep your home sealed up. Also, don't feed them, and make sure there aren't bird feeders they can access in your yard. You should also try to keep any trees and bushes around your home trimmed so there's at least a 6-foot gap.

raw peanuts, sweet nuts like pecans, fleshy fruit (pears,peaches,etc.) or commercial baits all work.

Raw peanuts, sweet nuts like pecans, fleshy fruit (pears, peaches, etc.) or commercial baits all work.

No. In my experience, squirrels quickly get used to those and ignore them.

Squirrels feel safer up high (upstairs, rafter, attic) rather than down. You would not find one in your basement, but you may find a squirrel near a food source so you can possibly find them in a first floor kitchen.

Try using a broom or something to coax the squirrel to get out.

Most squirrels could probably enter your home through a hole that's smaller than a baseball.

Mouse traps for squirrels don't work -- they're pretty smart and will spring the trap prior to taking the bait. The best method is to make your home as unappealing as possible to the bugger. Play talk show radio 24/7 for a week, spray a hot pepper solution around the boards he will run on daily, and if you can, borrow a big dog for a day or two. Squirrels are scared to death of big dogs. Wait for him to leave and seal up however he got in.

Not very likely. Unless there is a hole or a scent in your house that attracts them.

Drop a heavy rope down from the top. It allows them to see a new way out and think they aren't stuck. Go for a rope that is coarse and thick, to enable ease of climbing.