I've Got Squirrels in My House! Looking For Some Advice!

[romantico]

I've been doing some renovations in my house for a few years now. I also house sit for about 6-8 months out of the year so am not home a lot.I'm doing work on the house paycheck by paycheck which is why it seems to be taking me so long. Well, about a month ago I saw a mouse in the kitchen. I bought a safe mouse trap and caught him right away. Then over the weekend I was down in the basement and saw a little chipmunk in the corner of my eye. Then today I was upstairs in the living room and stepped on a acorn shell.A;though I have not seen an actual squirrel upstairs,I tend to think I have either squirrels or chipmunks in the house and I want them GONE!

Now, I noticed There is a small opening in the fireplace door. Needs to be shut tighter and this may be how they are getting in. Then again, we have an open vent downstairs so they may be coming in that way. My question is, does anyone know of a safe way to keep them out? With fall and winter coming up I'd like to take care of this. Plus,the people I house sit for usually come back and stay home from October through March which means I'll be spending more time at home. I'm not looking for any poison or anything. I've tried those Black and Decker plug in electronic gizmos but they don't seem to work(One was plugged in about 2 feet from where I saw the mouse)

Can anyone recommend a good way to keep mice and squirrels out? Blocking off the fireplace door and going to try and find a way to cover the downstairs vent. ANy advice would be helpful. Thanks!

[LeftinOH]

1. Maybe someone has a dog you can borrow? The presence of a dog

(and its scent) just might scare off the squirrels.

[romantico]

2. LOL!

Funny you say that because my Mom suggested just this morning I get a cat.Once I get the house finished I would love to get a Dog.Thanks!

[saras]

3. Galvanized steel "rat wire" or 1/4 inch square screen

It lets air and water through, but blocks mice, rats, squirrels, etc. It's relatively soft and easy to work - wear gloves and use a pair of throwaway scissors. Fit pieces anywhere you find a crack or hole big enough. Fasten it on however is convenient and not ugly. You could probably even make a "gasket" for the fireplace door that leaves it working like it already does, but blocks the gap.

Neither a dog or cat will scare them off completely, they'll just hide deeper, if it's possible. Chipmunks I don't know about, but squirrels will mess with both cats and dogs for fun. The right dog or cat will kill most of them that actually get into the living space, though, and that's (somewhat) a good thing, as long as someone finds the bodies.

[romantico]

4. Thanks!

I'm not using the fireplace and need to have the chimney cleaned before doing so any how so covering that won't be a problem.Was not sure if Wal-Mart or Home Depot sells anything but if so I'm sure its some kind of poison and I really am not interested in killing or harming them,just keeping them out. Was not sure if there was a spray that turns them off that is safe to use. Thanks again!