The way to get rid of squirrels in Lakewood Ranch is to take away their way in and their food. Trim tree limbs back from the roof, screen or repair roofline gaps, and squirrel-proof your bird feeders. If a squirrel is already living in your attic, call a licensed wildlife trapper. Florida has specific rules for trapping and releasing wildlife, and you don’t want to seal an animal inside your house.
A quick note before we start: Waves Pest Control doesn’t trap or remove squirrels. We handle rats and mice, and we refer squirrel jobs to licensed wildlife trappers. This guide covers what you can do yourself and when to call one.
Which squirrels live around Lakewood Ranch
You’ll mostly see two kinds:
- Eastern gray squirrels are the everyday backyard squirrel. They’re the ones most likely to raid feeders and chew their way into a roofline.
- Fox squirrels are bigger. Their color ranges from buff to gray to nearly black, and many have a black face with a white nose and ears (FWC). Fox squirrels are protected from hunting throughout Florida, so leave them alone.
You may read that the Big Cypress fox squirrel lives here. It doesn’t. That threatened subspecies lives much farther south, from Lee County down through the Everglades (FWC).
Squirrel or rat? Listen to the clock
The timing of the noise is your best clue.
- Squirrels are active by day. Scurrying and thumping in the attic in the early morning and late afternoon points to a squirrel.
- Roof rats are active at night. Scratching in the attic or walls after dark is the classic sign of roof rats, which travel along oak limbs, fences, and utility lines to get to your roofline.
If it’s rats, that’s a job Waves does handle. See rodent control in Lakewood Ranch.
Signs a squirrel has moved in
- Running or thumping overhead during the day.
- Chewed openings at roof edges, soffits, fascia boards, or gable vents.
- Leaves, twigs, and shredded insulation piled in the attic.
- Chewed wires. Treat that as a fire risk and have an electrician look at it.
How to keep squirrels out
These are jobs a handy homeowner can do:
- Trim tree limbs well back from the roof. Squirrels are excellent jumpers, and overhanging branches are their bridge to your roof.
- Screen vents and gaps with sturdy metal hardware cloth, not plastic mesh they can chew through.
- Repair damaged soffits and fascia before a squirrel finds the soft spot.
- Squirrel-proof bird feeders. Put them on a metal pole with a baffle, away from branches, and clean up spilled seed.
- Pick up fallen fruit and keep trash cans closed.
One warning: don’t seal an opening while a squirrel, or a nest of young, may still be inside. Trapped animals chew new holes, or die in the attic. If you think someone’s home, that’s the time to call a trapper.
When to call a licensed wildlife trapper
Call a trapper when:
- A squirrel is living in your attic or walls.
- You suspect there are babies in a nest.
- You’ve found chewed wiring or insulation.
Many trappers use one-way doors that let squirrels out but not back in, then seal the openings once the attic is empty. Ask any trapper you hire how they handle young in the nest and what they do with animals they catch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get squirrels out of my attic?
Don’t seal the opening while a squirrel or its young may still be inside. A licensed wildlife trapper can confirm what’s in the attic, get the animals out, and close up the entry points. After that, trim back tree limbs and screen vents so they can’t get back in.
Are fox squirrels protected in Florida?
Yes. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says fox squirrels are protected from hunting throughout the state. The Big Cypress fox squirrel, a threatened subspecies, lives far south of Lakewood Ranch.
Is the noise in my attic squirrels or rats?
Go by the clock. Squirrels are active during the day, especially early morning and late afternoon. Roof rats are active at night. Scratching after dark usually means roof rats.
Do squirrel repellents work?
Results are mixed, and scents and sprays wear off. Keeping squirrels out of the house comes down to exclusion: trimming limbs, screening vents, and fixing damaged rooflines.
Does Waves Pest Control remove squirrels?
No. We don’t trap or remove squirrels or other wildlife, and we refer those jobs to licensed wildlife trappers. We do handle rats and mice, including sealing entry points so they can’t get back in.
