One of the most common ways squirrels get into residential properties is through the roof. Therefore, if you’ve been hearing scratching and squealing sounds coming from your ceiling, there’s a chance squirrels may have made a home inside your Central Florida attic. However, a part of your home’s structure, known as a bird box soffit, could possibly be the reason nuisance squirrels have gained access to your attic.
What Is a Bird Box Soffit?
A soffit is a part of a home’s structure that is commonly located on the outer edge of most roofs. The intersection where the roof’s two sections meet creates an overhanging area that sticks out about one foot from the home and often doesn’t meet flush with the shingles from the lower roof. Therefore, homeowners will cover this gap with a bird box soffit. Meant to be a decorative cover that can also serve as a house to local birds, bird box soffits ultimately help to encourage and aid infestations.
Is a Bird Box Soffit Good at Keeping Squirrels Out?
Unfortunately, bird box soffits aren’t effective at keeping squirrels out of your attic. In fact, it’s usually the opposite. Not only do they attract nuisance birds, but if the soffit isn’t properly installed, gaps can form between the layers of the roof, allowing air to vent out and critters to get in. While it may not be visible, the gap is usually wide enough for squirrels or other pests to squeeze through. If the gap isn’t wide enough, invasive squirrels can stand on the ledge created by the soffit and claw and gnaw their way inside.
The Damages Squirrels Cause
While they may seem cute and harmless, squirrels can cause a lot of property damage the longer they live in your attic. They’ll chew through any material to make their nest, including insulation, drywall, and electrical wiring. Squirrels will also leave foul-smelling droppings in your attic and make disturbing noises at night, keeping you and your loved ones awake. That is why you should call the animal removal experts at Animal Wildlife Trappers as soon as you notice squirrel activity on your home or inside your property.
Keeping Squirrels Out with Animal Wildlife Trappers
If you’re dealing with a growing squirrel problem, rely on the professional squirrel removal experts at Animal Wildlife Trappers to permanently remove the pests from your property. Our licensed and trained technicians have the equipment and experience to provide you with effective, high-quality rodent removal services.
To schedule an appointment and receive a free estimate, connect with one of our team members today by calling 352-267-0546.