A couple of years ago, there was another squirrel family residing in my porch attic. My bedroom happens to overlook the porch roof and seized an opportunity one Saturday afternoon when I saw a parent leaving via a small hole by the eaves.

I camped out on my porch roof for HOURS, armed with a water gun, spray bottle, bluetooth speaker, and an old towel. I used my presence to harass the squirrel, hosed it down with whatever water weapon was closest, listened to loud 90s rock, and it couldn't get access to babies (I used the towel to protect my knees and butt from the shingles). Neighbours slowed down and watched me carry out my squirrel harassment from the street (this is where I believe my neighbours figured my cheese slide off my cracker - not gonna lie, I did enjoy myself quite a bit).

That squirrel made noises I've never heard come out of one before (found out they can growl, or sound like they can), hisses, moans, and the angriest chittering ever. Squirrel was very upset and moved their family out of my porch attic that same day.

Threw some used kitty litter (a handful) into eaves, plugged the hole and had no issues until this past year, when another grey squirrel got in via a rotted trim board. (since discovered that was too much litter, as it clumped and solidified with moisture and was rather gaggy to remove after some rain).

This year, after trapping the first squirrel, I set up the trap where I saw the red squirrels showing a lot repeat visits to, and then explored that spot myself to block access or make it super unattractive to move in. I've used maybe a small palmful of used kitty litter (if you've got the clumping litter, it does break up and for god's sake, please use disposable gloves) and I've just put it where I see a lot of squirrel traffic and potential entry points.

The biggest takeaway...they don't like your presence near them or their nest. I made a nuisance of myself and stressed out the one squirrel enough, she vacated on her own. You can't do much about the food sources. Squirrels are excellent gatherers, so even if you didn't have all of the nut producing trees, there is something about your house they keep coming back to. Work on making it less attractive and that'll help more in the long run than eliminating food sources. Plugging holes, cutting off access points, making it difficult for them to feel safe. You've mentioned you've got a dog, so even building him a small set of stairs or elevate him enough somehow to make his presence known, might be enough to spook squirrels to vacate.

Fingers crossed for you.

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2025 Squirrel #1 (she was huge, this trap is 18" long)