WHY CONTROL SQUIRRELS?
If you’re hearing scratching, thumping, or fast running sounds in your attic during the day, squirrels have likely already moved in. As temperatures drop, they search for warm, quiet spaces to nest and store food — and attics offer the perfect shelter.
Squirrels chew vents, wiring, and wood, tear insulation, and leave droppings with a sharp musky odor.
The longer they stay, the more damage they cause. Our squirrel removal team identifies their entry points, removes them safely, and seals your home to prevent them from returning.
1. Prevent Health Risks
Squirrel droppings, urine, and nesting materials can introduce bacteria, odor, and airborne contaminants into your home. Addressing the issue early helps protect indoor air quality and reduces the chance of contamination spreading into living spaces.
2. Reduce Fire Hazards and Structural Damage
Squirrels chew constantly, and electrical wires, roof decking, and fascia boards are often the first things they damage. This kind of activity can create fire risks and compromise your home’s structure if not handled quickly.
3. Stop Household Disruptions Before They Escalate
Daytime scratching and thumping are signs of active nesting. Left alone, squirrels expand nests, store more food, and cause greater destruction. Early removal prevents larger messes and keeps attic repairs manageable.
As colder weather settles in across Des Moines and surrounding Iowa communities, squirrel activity inside homes increases significantly.
If you’re starting to hear movement overhead, don’t wait — Schedule Service today to stop the damage before it spreads.
SQUIRREL REMOVAL SERVICES
At Bobcat Wildlife & Pest, we don’t just chase squirrels out — we make sure they stay out. Our approach uses humane, proven techniques that protect your home, your health, and local wildlife.
OUR SQUIRREL REMOVAL PROCESS
At Bobcat Wildlife & Pest, we don’t just remove squirrels; we help you maintain a quiet, clean, and protected home long after the work is complete.
NOT A SQUIRREL INFESTATION?
Sometimes the noises or damage around your home aren’t caused by squirrels at all. Other animals—or even insects—can make similar sounds in attics or walls. Whatever the issue, Bobcat Wildlife & Pest can identify it quickly and provide the right solution.
Not sure what’s causing the problem? Schedule Service and our experts will inspect, identify, and resolve it—whether it’s squirrels or something else.
HOW TO SPOT SQUIRREL ACTIVITY
Squirrels can move quietly at first, so the warning signs often show up before you ever see them. Catching the problem early makes removal easier and helps prevent costly attic damage—especially during fall and winter, when squirrels are most active in Iowa homes. Keep an eye and ear out for these common clues:
1. Daytime Scratching or Thumping
Unlike rats or mice, squirrels are active during daylight hours. If you hear scurrying, rolling, or scratching in the attic or walls after sunrise, they’re likely nesting or hiding food for winter.
2. Chewed Openings and Gnaw Marks
Squirrels can bite through wood, vents, shingles, and even soft metal. Look for fresh chew marks or small holes around rooflines, soffits, and attic vents, as well as damage to wiring or insulation inside.
3. Nesting Materials and Droppings
Squirrels build messy nests from leaves, insulation, and twigs, often tucked in attic corners or near eaves. You might also notice small, barrel-shaped droppings or a musky odor near their entry points.
MAIN ISSUES
Why Choose Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Control
Highly recommend using this company for any pest control needs and or wildlife issues.
Highly recommend this group!!! Within 24 hours of my “something stinks” panic call, one of the techs, Ronnie, was at our place taking care of the animals that found their final resting place in our vents… and patched it up so we wouldn’t have this happen again. On time, efficient, and very knowledgeable!!
Thank you so much! We debated calling for a long time. When I finally did Blake came the very next day and trapped the squirrel who was the culprit of the damage. He fixed the damage too! We are so happy we finally called, wish we would have done it sooner! Thanks Blake!
What a great experience Ronnie Hayes came to our place he came to our place assessed that we had a few raccoons in our attic. He even put a trap on the roof and for them out the same day then the relocated them. For a very responsible place.
Jared was super helpful, set up traps, and we are looking forward to a raccoon free attic.
Knowledgeable, careful, and insightful-I had the opportunity to meet with Nicole Spaulding from Bobcat Wildlife and Pest Management to learn more of what she does and to ask questions about their industry, fearing it affected my own (outdoor aquatic stock growth).She took the time to share with me the ins-and-outs of her industry, genuinely caring for my concerns, resolving them completely in the end.
They do an amazing job with our pest control and keeping all the mosquitos at bay. I really appreciate how caring & respective Gene is towards these animals and rodents…
Bobcat Wildlife & Pest Management came to my house to deal with a serious bat problem. I have had no issues with bats since they came, and the guy who did the work on my house was thorough and took obvious pride in his work. They are knowledgeable and thorough and don’t take the easy way out. It was clear that they really cared about solving my bat issue and I highly recommend them to anyone with a bat problem.
Squirrel Removal FAQs for Des Moines Homeowners
What makes Bobcat Wildlife & Pest different in squirrel removal?
Many pest companies treat squirrels like any other rodent — but we focus on humane, exclusion-based removal.
Our technicians have removed hundreds of attic infestations across Iowa, using live one-way doors and permanent sealing materials that withstand gnawing and harsh winters.
We never use poisons, and every job includes inspection, cleanup, and prevention. That means you get lasting protection, not a temporary fix.
If you’re hearing activity overhead, Schedule Service and we’ll start with a same-week inspection.
How quickly can your team handle a squirrel issue?
Timing matters. The longer squirrels stay, the more damage they cause. We typically schedule inspections within 1–2 business days — often sooner during active seasons like fall.
Our technicians prioritize homes with signs of recent nesting, scratching, or roof damage. Fast response keeps repair costs lower and avoids electrical or insulation issues from worsening.
If you call before noon, we can often confirm a same-day visit window.
What methods do you use to remove squirrels?
We use humane exclusion — guiding squirrels out instead of trapping them inside. One-way doors allow safe exit without re-entry, and any remaining animals are removed using live-catch traps.
Once they’re gone, we seal entry points with steel mesh and weather-grade materials. This approach keeps your attic quiet, safe, and compliant with Iowa’s wildlife regulations.
We’ll walk you through the process before starting so you know exactly what to expect.
Are your squirrel removal methods safe for kids and pets?
Yes — completely. We never use poisons, harsh chemicals, or snap traps. Our tools and techniques focus on physical removal and exclusion.
After the squirrels are out, we sanitize nesting areas using non-toxic products safe for both families and pets. You can stay home during service without worry.
Safety is part of our promise — it’s how we’ve earned repeat clients across the Des Moines area.
How can I keep squirrels from coming back?
Squirrels are persistent, so prevention is key. Trim branches near the roof, secure attic vents, and repair damaged fascia or flashing.
After removal, we can install long-term barriers — like chew-resistant mesh and vent screens — that blend with your home’s exterior. We also provide seasonal checkups if you’d like ongoing protection through winter.
Ask your technician about our annual exclusion maintenance plan.
Why are squirrels getting into my attic this winter?
As the weather cools, squirrels search for warm, dry places to spend the season. Attics, soffits, and roof gaps provide the shelter and safety they need.
Once inside, they begin nesting and storing food.
That’s why squirrel calls increase sharply during Iowa’s fall months. Acting early prevents larger infestations and helps avoid damage before winter sets in.
What time of day are squirrels most active?
Squirrels are active during the day, not at night. If you hear scratching, rolling, or scurrying sounds in your attic early in the morning or late afternoon, squirrels are the likely cause.
They rest at night, which helps tell them apart from mice or rats that are active after dark. Hearing consistent daytime noise means it’s time to schedule a professional inspection.
Can squirrels cause damage or safety issues in the attic?
Yes. Squirrels chew constantly to wear down their teeth, which can damage wood, insulation, and even wiring. This leads to potential electrical issues, insulation loss, and structural damage over time.
They also leave behind droppings and nesting materials that create odor and mess. Our humane removal and sealing process helps protect your home and restore attic safety.
How long does squirrel removal take?
Every situation is different, but most squirrel problems are resolved within a few days to a week, depending on the number of entry points and animals.
Our team begins with a full inspection, installs humane one-way exits, and seals openings once the squirrels are gone. We stay in contact until your home is fully secure and squirrel-free.
Will squirrels leave on their own?
It’s unlikely. Once squirrels find a safe nesting spot like an attic, they rarely leave voluntarily. They often stay through the cold months and return year after year.
Professional removal ensures they’re guided out safely, and sealing entry points keeps them from coming back. Taking action early saves time, repairs, and frustration.
What should I do if I hear scratching but can’t see any squirrels?
Avoid blocking holes or using traps yourself. Squirrels can become trapped inside and cause more damage trying to escape. Instead, schedule an inspection with Bobcat Wildlife & Pest.
Our specialists will track down where the noise is coming from, determine whether it’s squirrels, rodents, or another pest, and use safe, humane steps to remove the problem quickly and completely.
Do you clean up after the squirrels are removed?
Yes. Once the squirrels are out, we can remove nesting debris, droppings, and damaged insulation.
Cleaning and sanitizing affected areas helps prevent odors and secondary pest issues.
This ensures your attic is restored to a clean, healthy state after exclusion work is completed.
How much does squirrel removal cost?
The cost depends on the size of the infestation, how many entry points there are, and the condition of the area.
During inspection, we’ll provide a clear explanation of what’s needed to solve the problem. You’ll always know the work involved before we begin.
Do your squirrel removal services include prevention?
Yes. Every squirrel removal includes identifying and sealing the access points they used to get inside.
We also offer recommendations for long-term prevention, such as trimming branches away from the roof and checking vents or gaps seasonally. The goal is lasting protection — not a temporary fix.
What other wildlife or pests can you remove?
Bobcat Wildlife & Pest handles a wide range of animal and pest problems beyond squirrels. That includes raccoons, skunks, opossums, birds, and common insect or rodent issues.
All services follow the same humane and safety-focused standards we use in our squirrel work. Schedule Service if you’re not sure what’s causing the problem — we’ll inspect and identify it for you.
