Wildlife in the Attic: How to Get Animals Out and Keep Them Out

TL;DR: Squirrels, raccoons, and bats in the attic need to be excluded the right way — seal too early and you trap them inside. Here's the order.

_Last reviewed: July 2026 · 2 min read_

Getting squirrels, raccoons, or bats out of an attic is all about doing the steps in the right order — seal the hole too soon and you trap an animal (or babies) inside, which is a far worse problem. Four steps do it right: find the entry, confirm it's empty, exclude humanely, then seal.

How do I find where an animal is getting in?

Find how the animal is getting in first. Inspect the roofline, soffits, vents, gaps under the eaves, and chimney for holes, chewed openings, and grease/rub marks. Animals are remarkably good at exploiting small gaps and weak soffits/fascia. You can't solve the problem until you know the entry point — there may be more than one.

Why confirm the attic is empty before sealing?

This is the critical step: confirm no animals are inside before sealing the entry. Seal a hole with an animal in there and it'll either die in your attic (odor, decay) or claw and chew a new way out, causing more damage. And in spring/summer, there are often babies that can't leave on their own. Never seal until you're sure it's clear.

What is a one-way exclusion door?

If animals are present, use a one-way exclusion device — a door or funnel mounted over the entry that lets the animal leave but not return. Once they exit to forage, they're locked out without being trapped or harmed. This is the humane, standard method. For animals with young, wait until the babies are mobile or have a pro relocate them.

How do I seal the entry for good?

Once you've confirmed everyone's out, seal the entry point permanently with sturdy, chew-proof materials — heavy-gauge hardware cloth, metal flashing, or solid repairs, not foam (which animals chew through). Also seal other potential entries you found. Permanent, durable sealing is what stops the next animal from moving in. Many homeowners hire a wildlife pro for safe removal plus sealing.

Track the exclusion

Logging the entry points you found and sealed prevents repeat invasions. Okoniq Property Hub keeps it with your home maintenance records in one private place.

Frequently asked questions

Should I remove attic wildlife myself?

Small, clearly-empty entry sealing, maybe. But raccoons, bats, and any animal with young — and rabies-vector species — are best handled by a licensed wildlife professional, who can also handle legal protections (bats are protected in many areas).

How do I keep animals out of the attic long-term?

Durable sealing of all entries, trimming branches away from the roof, capping the chimney, screening vents, and keeping the roofline in good repair. Remove what attracts and admits them.

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FAQ

How much does it cost to remove wildlife from an attic?

Professional wildlife removal typically costs $300 to $600 for inspection and exclusion of common animals like squirrels or raccoons, with sealing and repair work adding $200 to $1,000 depending on the number of entry points and damage. Bat exclusion often costs more due to legal protections and timing restrictions.

What time of year should I not seal attic entry points?

Avoid sealing entries in late spring and summer (May through August in most of the US) when young animals are present and can't leave on their own. Squirrels have two litter seasons, and bats have maternity colonies, so sealing during these months can trap helpless babies inside.

Can animals chew through spray foam insulation to get back in?

Yes, squirrels and raccoons chew through spray foam easily. Use only metal flashing, heavy-gauge hardware cloth (1/4-inch or smaller mesh), or solid wood repairs for permanent sealing — foam is a temporary gap-filler, not an exclusion material.

How long does a one-way door need to stay up before sealing?

Leave the one-way exclusion device in place for three to seven days to ensure all animals have exited, then confirm the attic is empty by inspection or monitoring before removing the door and sealing the hole permanently.