How to Remove Squirrels From an Attic With Natural Mints

You can remove squirrels from your attic using natural mint. Squirrels do not like the smell of mint and will relocate to another area if the smell is present. Several types of mint will work, including cat nip, a member of the mint family. All types of mint are easy to grow, so a combination of growing natural mints around your home mixed with mint-soaked cotton balls in the attic will deter squirrels from coming back to your home once gone. This method is simple and natural, too, making it appropriate for homes with pets or small children.

Things You'll Need

• Peppermint essential oil
• Mint plants
• Cotton balls
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Make a plan. All attics are different. The square footage of your attic, whether it is a crawl space or a true attic, and whether there is access to the rest of your home from the attic are all factors to consider.

2. Use live plants in entryways. If your attic has window boxes, grow mint or cat nip (a member of the mint family and a good squirrel deterrent) in a window box at an attic window. Hang bunches of fresh mints, such as peppermint, spearmint or even lavender (a member of the mint family) to dry from the attic ceiling, or leave tied bunches of mint around the baseboards or anywhere you feel the squirrels are entering your attic.

3. Clean your attic with a mint-scented cleaner. If your attic is no more than a crawl space, you may skip this step. Otherwise, fill a large bucket with warm water and add 1 tbsp. of peppermint essential oil. Usually, less is more with essential oils, but in this case, add enough oil so that the smell is penetrating. You may need more than 1 tbsp. With rubber gloves and a large sponge, wipe down walls and windows. Use amop clean the entire floor.

4. Spray with peppermint oil. Fill a spray bottle with 100ml of water. Add about 50 drops of peppermint essential oil. Peppermint oil can irritate skin and eyes, so do be careful as you spray. Spray around the attic, paying special attention to areas you feel may be entrances for the squirrels.

5. Saturate cotton balls with peppermint oil. Using pure undiluted peppermint oil, saturate several cotton balls with peppermint oil and place them around the attic, especially near entrance points. Replace the cotton balls as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Once the squirrels have gone, try to patch up all entrances. This will save you extra work should they decide to try to come back.

References

• Urban Nature Information Service, McGill University
• Wildlife Repellents, Colorado State

Resources

• Information on Essential Oils