Caught squirrel attic, don't know where the entry hole is. Help?

[Dust_Remover]

Im in northern ohio and I caught a young-looking red squirrel in my attic. I don't think this squirrel has stashed a ton of food in my attic because id go days without seeing it on my attic cameras and I only started seeing it maybe 2 to 3 weeks ago.

I'm not sure what to do now that I caught the squirrel but have no idea where the entry hole is. If I release it, it'll just go back, but if it takes too long to find the hole, itll be too late to release it. Im trying to avoid overwintering this squirrel (I did this 2 years ago so I have a set up), but if I don't find this hole in like, the next few days, I feel like it'll be too late. Any tips or tricks to find the entry hole? All I can think of is having like 4 people on the roof and releasing the squirrel so we can watch and see where it goes. This seems like a super risky proposition tho.



Does anyone have tips or tricks how to find this hole? The only thing I can think of would be to have like 4 people on my roof, and a few on the ground, and then release the squirrel on the roof to see where it goes.

[Charley Chuckles]

And are you sure it's not a mommy with babies in the attic? I no nothing of reds they all look like babies to me🤔
I can only think of a a huge bright light or a few in attic then walk around house see if you can spot any light 🤷

[TomahawkFlyers]

Speaking from experience (ugh!) reds can get in anywhere there is a hole in chewable material large enough to get their teeth into. They will chew until the hole is big enough to enter. Charley Chuckles has a good idea - go up there and turn out all the lights. Before your eyes get used to the dark, look around for light entering. Also, from the outside, check your soffits - especially where gables bee the roofline. These are areas where they can comfortably sit and chew. And chew. And chew ... until voila! they've made their door. Vented soffits (if you have them) that are in these areas are particularly vulnerable.

Your idea is a good one too - not sure about a bunch of people standing on the roof - they might be able to get a pretty good idea from the ground.

Most important, do go into the attic with a good light and check everywhere for a nest with babies in it. They will die without mom or without your removing them and becoming their surrogate mom.

Good Luck!

Jamie

[Dust_Remover]

I was actually worried about this too. I got a good look at the squirrels underside and didn't see any visible nipples so I don't think she's ever had a litter. Would I hear babies up there? I have relatively new blown in insulation so it'll be near impossible to search the whole thing. I can take a heat camera up there to check for hot spots.

I don't mean to be dense but what does it mean to bee a roofline? I think I might know what you're talking about, because what im visualizing is a similar location to where the squirrel got in last time

[Spanky]

Another option requiring less folks... and maybe just one? Turn on bright light(s) in the attic after dark, turn the rest of the house lights off. Walk around the house and look for light that may be coming out of the entry hole...

Flashlights on each side of the house with a person on the outside as you shine the flashlight along the walls and what not.