While squirrels may appear to be harmless, their noisy scurrying and destructive behaviors will make you go nuts if they manage to nest inside your attic. Invasive squirrels will destroy stored belongings and insulation, chew electrical wires and saturate your attic flooring with waste, spreading contamination and transmitting diseases in the process. Lucky for you, there are ways to keep nuisance squirrels from accessing your attic and causing costly damage.
The Signs of a Squirrel Problem
While the most common signs of a squirrel in your attic are scurrying, scratching and chewing sounds, other indications of a squirrel problem typically include visible pawprints, foul odors, round waste pellets and chew marks around your property. As rodents, squirrels’ teeth never stop growing. And with their special enamel coating, squirrels can find ways into your home through siding, decking and ventilation. They’ll also peel up roof shingles, leading to water damage, and chew through wood, creating structural issues.
Why Are Squirrels in Your Attic?
Squirrels establish nests in residential attics for several reasons. Mainly, they desire protective shelter away from harsh outdoor elements and predators. They also seek close access to food and water sources. Therefore, the cool, dark crawl spaces of your attic provide the ideal environment for a squirrel to nest, breed, and scavenge for food.
How To Prevent Squirrels in Attic
Here are a few steps you can take to keep squirrels from getting into your attic.
- Prune Your Trees: Trees are natural bridges for squirrels as they provide direct access to your attic. To limit pests’ access to your roof, trim the branches around your home so that they are at least 6-8 feet away.
- Remove Food Sources: Garbage, pet food and seeds attract hungry squirrels to your property. To keep them from rummaging through your scraps, make sure that all trash containers are securely closed. Also, make sure to move bird feeders away from your house and store pet food inside.
- Seal Gaps: Sealing any gaps in your home is critical to prevent squirrels and other rodents from entering. Start by inspecting your property’s exterior for any chew holes, cracks or damaged openings.
Effective Squirrel Removal Services
If squirrels are in your attic, don’t try to solve the issue on your own. Most states have strict laws on trapping and removing wildlife and effective removal can be both dangerous and tedious if you lack the proper training and safety gear. Instead of risking your health, rely on the squirrel removal experts at Animal Wildlife Trappers. Our team of licensed professionals will humanely remove all squirrels, nests and odors, sanitize and sterilize any mess they left behind, and seal your property to prevent future infestations. To schedule an appointment and receive a free squirrel removal estimate, call us today at 352-267-0546.