If you’ve been hearing scratching noises above your head, or maybe you’ve noticed the odd bit of insulation or chewed wires in your attic, you might have a furry little tenant you weren’t expecting—squirrels! While these critters may seem cute when you’re watching them scamper up trees, they can quickly turn your attic into their playground, causing damage and even posing health risks. Don’t panic—I’m here to walk you through how to evict those pesky squirrels and restore peace to your home.
How to Spot a Squirrel Infestation in Your Attic
First things first: How do you know if you’ve actually got a squirrel problem? A lot of the time, homeowners don’t realize they have squirrels until the damage is done. It’s easy to dismiss the occasional scurrying noise as something minor, but it’s important to pay attention to the signs. Here’s what to look out for:
Signs of Squirrel Activity
- Scratching Noises:
If you’ve ever heard what sounds like little feet running across the ceiling, you might have squirrels in your attic. This noise is usually most noticeable early in the morning or late at night when the squirrels are most active. I had a client once describe hearing what she thought was a “small animal circus” overhead. Turns out, she had a whole family of squirrels living up there! - Chewed Materials:
Squirrels are notorious for chewing on things—whether it’s insulation, electrical wires, or even wood beams. If you’ve noticed chew marks or shredded insulation, it’s likely from a squirrel making a cozy nest. A quick story: A neighbor of mine had a squirrel infestation that went unnoticed for months until they noticed a strange burning smell in their kitchen. After an inspection, it turned out a squirrel had chewed through an electrical wire. It was a close call! - Squirrel Droppings:
Squirrel droppings are small, dark pellets. If you find them in the attic, it’s a sure sign of an infestation. Not only are droppings unpleasant, but they can also carry diseases and parasites that you don’t want in your home. - Visible Nests:
A pile of leaves, twigs, and other materials can often be found in the corners of your attic or in spaces between insulation. This is where squirrels build their nests, especially during colder months. If you’ve got one of these in your attic, you’ve got a squirrel problem.
Where Are They Getting In?
Squirrels are excellent climbers, so they can get into your attic through small gaps and holes. Common entry points include:
- Roof Vents: If your roof vents are damaged or poorly sealed, squirrels can easily squeeze through.
- Eaves and Soffits: Gaps in the eaves are an open invitation for squirrels looking for a cozy space.
- Chimneys and Air Vents: If there’s an opening around your chimney or ventilation system, that’s another prime spot for a squirrel to slip inside.
If you’ve got a few of these issues on your property, it’s worth taking a walk around your home to look for entry points—squirrels can get through surprisingly small spaces.
Why Squirrels Love Your Attic
Squirrels are opportunistic, and your attic offers a perfect combination of shelter, warmth, and safety. As we head into the cooler months, squirrels are looking for a place to stay snug and warm, and they can’t resist the shelter your attic provides.
Seasonal Behavior
In the fall, squirrels begin looking for a safe place to hunker down for winter. Your attic is like a five-star hotel for them—quiet, undisturbed, and with plenty of materials for nesting. During spring and summer, squirrels might use your attic to raise their young. They can cause even more trouble at this time because baby squirrels are especially curious (and prone to causing chaos).
Food Sources
If you’ve got bird feeders, fruit trees, or even pet food outside, you’re offering up a buffet to the local squirrel population. Squirrels are great foragers, and if your yard is offering easy food sources, they’re going to find their way into your attic to store it for winter.
The Dangers of Squirrel Infestations
While squirrels may seem harmless, they can actually cause a lot of damage to your home. And the worst part? This damage can sometimes be hard to notice until it’s too late.
Structural Damage
Squirrels chew. A lot. They’re constantly gnawing on things to keep their teeth filed down, which means they’ll chew through insulation, wires, wooden beams, and even the roof itself. I once had a client who didn’t realize how bad their squirrel problem was until a few beams in their roof collapsed from the damage. Not only was it an expensive fix, but it could have been dangerous if it had gone unnoticed.
Health Risks
Squirrels can carry diseases such as leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and even rabies. Plus, they bring in parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites, which can pose health risks to your family. In one instance, I worked with a family whose young child developed a rash after coming into contact with the attic space where the squirrels had been. The rash turned out to be caused by flea bites from the squirrels.
Fire Hazards
Chewed electrical wires are one of the most dangerous risks of a squirrel infestation. The damage squirrels cause to electrical wiring can lead to short circuits and, in the worst case, fires. So if you’re hearing scratching and notice chew marks on wires, take it seriously!
How to Remove Squirrels from Your Attic
If you’ve discovered that you’ve got squirrels living in your attic, don’t panic. There are steps you can take to remove them safely and humanely.
Step 1: Assess the Situation
Before you start trying to catch the squirrels, take a moment to assess the situation. Check for signs of activity, like droppings or nests. Look around the outside of your home to find potential entry points, like gaps in the roof or damaged vents.
Step 2: Humanely Remove Squirrels
Once you’ve confirmed that squirrels are living in your attic, it’s time to remove them. There are several humane ways to do this:
- Live Traps:
These are a common solution. You can buy live traps from a local hardware store or online. Place the traps along the squirrel’s usual travel paths (near entry points or where you’ve seen droppings). After capturing the squirrels, release them at least 10 miles away from your home to ensure they don’t come back. - One-Way Doors:
One-way exclusion doors are a great option for letting squirrels leave without being able to get back in. You install the door at the point of entry, and the squirrels can exit, but they can’t re-enter. It’s a fantastic, humane option, especially for larger infestations.
Step 3: Seal the Entry Points
Once the squirrels are out, the next step is to seal up any potential entry points. Use materials like steel wool, hardware cloth, or caulk to block holes and gaps. Be sure to check around vents, chimneys, and pipes. If you’re unsure, this is where a professional wildlife removal expert can come in handy—they’ll have the tools and experience to seal up the attic properly.
Step 4: Clean and Sanitize Your Attic
Once you’ve removed the squirrels and sealed the entry points, it’s time to clean up. Remove any nests, droppings, or debris from the attic, and sanitize the area thoroughly. This will help eliminate parasites and reduce any lingering odors.
Prevent Future Squirrel Infestations
Now that you’ve taken care of the immediate problem, let’s talk about how to keep squirrels from coming back.
Trim Tree Branches
Squirrels are great climbers and can easily jump from trees to your roof. Trim any tree branches that are within 6-10 feet of your roof to make it harder for squirrels to reach your attic.
Secure Food Sources
Remove bird feeders, store pet food in sealed containers, and make sure trash cans are tightly closed. By removing food sources, you’ll make your home less attractive to squirrels.
Install Squirrel Deterrents
If squirrels are a persistent problem in your area, consider installing squirrel-proof bird feeders or using natural deterrents like peppermint oil. Squirrels dislike strong smells, so peppermint oil can be an effective way to keep them away from your attic.
When to Call a Professional
If you’ve tried the DIY route and you’re still hearing scratching or suspect there are more squirrels to deal with, it might be time to call in a professional. Wildlife removal experts can conduct a thorough inspection, humanely remove the squirrels, and help prevent future infestations. They can also repair any damage caused by the squirrels and sanitize the attic to ensure your home is safe and secure.
