Attic Intruders: Squirrels and Rodents on the Loose

As spring arrives, squirrels and rodents become more active in their quest for shelter and nesting sites. With the warmer weather, they seek refuge in the cozy confines of people’s attics. Their agile movements allow them to easily navigate rooftops and find entry points, such as gaps in eaves or vents. Once inside, they begin to build nests and seek out food sources, often causing damage to insulation and wiring in the process. Homeowners may start noticing scratching noises and droppings of these critters. Addressing the issue promptly is crucial to prevent further damage and ensure a peaceful coexistence with these furry springtime visitors.

Squirrels

Squirrels are highly adaptable rodents known for their agility and climbing skills. During the spring season, squirrels become more active as they engage in mating rituals and seek out suitable nesting sites to raise their young. Attics provide an ideal environment for squirrels to nest due to their sheltered and warm nature.

Squirrels can access attics through various entry points, including:

Rooflines: Squirrels can easily climb trees and jump onto rooftops, where they search for weak spots in the roofline to gain entry. They may exploit gaps in soffits, damaged shingles, or uncovered vents.

Trees and branches: Squirrels are quick climbers and can use overhanging tree branches to access the roof of a house. From there, they can explore and find entry points into the attic of your home.

Utility lines: Squirrels can get through by using utility lines, such as electrical wires or cables, to reach the roof of a building. They may then find openings around utility penetrations or gaps in the roofline to enter the attic space.

Once inside the attic, squirrels will seek out suitable nesting materials, such as insulation, leaves, and twigs, to construct their nests. They may also gnaw on wood, wires, and other materials, causing damage to the structure and posing potential fire hazards. Additionally, squirrels are known to be active during daylight hours, so homeowners may hear scratching noises or detect signs of activity during the day.

To prevent squirrels from gaining access to attics during the spring season, regular inspection and maintenance of the exterior of the home can help deter squirrels and other wildlife from seeking shelter indoors.

Ways To Prevent Little Creatures From Invading Your Home:

As squirrels and rodents often climb onto your roof, it is advisable to conduct regular inspections to ensure there are no potential entry points into your home. Here are some effective ways to prevent them from happening:

Seal Entry Points: Inspect the exterior of your home for any gaps, cracks, or openings that squirrels and rodents could use to gain access to your attic. Seal these entry points with durable materials such as metal flashing, hardware cloth, or foam sealant to prevent entry.

Trim Trees and Vegetation: Squirrels and rodents often gain access to attics by climbing trees and accessing the roof from overhanging branches. Trim back trees and vegetation around your home to create a barrier and prevent easy access to your roofline.

Use Repellents: Consider using natural or commercial repellents to deter squirrels and rodents from entering your attic. Options include predator urine, mothballs, peppermint oil, or specially formulated repellent sprays. Follow product instructions carefully and reapply as needed to maintain effectiveness.

Our Services

Our one-year service plan is perfect for preventing bugs and unwanted critters from coming into your home. You can set it and forget it! Click here to learn more about what our one-year service plan entails!

We treat every room inside your home, garage and attic; power spray the outside foundation; flush-out all weep holes; treat around all windows, doors, eaves, and inspect for termites, carpenter ants, and rodents. With the services we provide at Alcon Services, we can absolutely help! If you want to know more, Contact us for details!