Greenville and Spartanburg Counties and the surrounding Upstate South Carolina communities are home to several species of squirrels, including the Eastern gray squirrel, American red squirrel, and flying squirrel. Unfortunately, your attic can provide these curious animals with a safe, quiet environment and access to shelter and food, making it an attractive place to nest. With a few preventative measures, homeowners can reduce the chances of squirrels finding their way inside. If squirrels do make your attic their home, signs of an infestation may include scratching or scampering noises, damaged roofing or soffits, gnawed wood and electrical wiring, disturbed insulation, and other signs of wildlife activity. The good news is that there are several things homeowners can do to reduce the chances of squirrels entering their attic.
How do squirrels get into attics?
Squirrels are excellent climbers and can take advantage of surprisingly small openings around your roofline. Common entry points include:
- Damaged or loose soffits
- Gaps around roof vents
- Uncovered attic vents
- Damaged fascia boards
- Openings near chimneys
- Gaps along the roofline
- Areas where roofing materials have deteriorated
- Holes created by previous wildlife activity
A squirrel may also enlarge an existing opening by chewing through wood, plastic, or other materials.
Because squirrels can climb trees and reach the roof easily, homes surrounded by mature trees may have additional opportunities for wildlife to reach the roof.
1. Inspect your roof and attic for entry points
One of the best ways to prevent squirrels from entering your attic is to identify potential entry points before an animal discovers them.
Walk around the exterior of your home and look for damaged or missing materials around the roofline. Pay particular attention to soffits, fascia, vents, and areas where different roofing materials meet.
You can also inspect the attic for signs that an animal has already gained access.
Signs of squirrel activity may include:
- Scratching or scampering sounds
- Droppings
- Nesting material
- Damaged insulation
- Chewed wood
- Chewed electrical wiring
- Daytime noises coming from the attic
If you find evidence that squirrels are already inside, do not immediately seal the opening. You could trap an animal inside the attic, or separate a mother squirrel from young squirrels that may be inside the structure.
2. Repair damaged soffits, fascia, and roof areas
Damaged areas around your roof can provide squirrels with an easy way into the attic.
Inspect your soffits and fascia for loose sections, holes, or areas where materials have pulled away from the house. Also check roof vents and other openings for damage.
Repairing these areas can help prevent squirrels and other wildlife from exploiting an existing weakness in your home’s exterior.
3. Protect attic and roof vents
Roof and attic vents are important for proper ventilation, but they can also become potential entry points for wildlife.
Inspect your vents for damage or missing protective material. Properly installed wildlife-resistant vent protection can help prevent squirrels from chewing or forcing their way through vulnerable areas.
Any repairs should preserve the ventilation function of the vent while preventing wildlife from gaining access.
4. Keep Tree Branches Away From Your Roof
Trees provide squirrels with a natural highway to your roof.
Branches that extend close to or directly over your home can make it easier for squirrels to reach the roofline. Keeping trees properly trimmed can reduce some of the opportunities squirrels have to access your roof.
However, trimming branches alone will not prevent squirrels from entering your attic if there is already an accessible opening.
Your home’s roofline should still be inspected for gaps and damage.
5. Don’t ignore small openings
A small opening around your roof may not seem like a major problem, but wildlife can exploit weak areas and enlarge them.
Regularly checking the exterior of your home can help you find problems before they become wildlife entry points.
Consider inspecting your roofline after:
- Severe storms
- High winds
- Roof repairs
- Tree damage
- Home renovations
Early repairs can be much easier than dealing with an animal that has already established itself inside your attic.
What If squirrels are already in your attic?
Preventing squirrels from entering is much easier when there are no animals inside.
If you are already hearing squirrels in your attic, the situation requires a different approach. Simply closing the suspected entry point may trap the animal inside or prevent a mother from reaching her young.
A proper squirrel removal process should determine:
- Whether squirrels are currently inside
- Where they are entering and exiting
- Whether young animals are present
- How the animals can be safely removed
- How the entry point can be repaired or excluded afterward
Once the animals are safely out, the entry points can be addressed to help prevent them from returning.
When should you call a wildlife removal professional?
Consider contacting a wildlife removal professional if you hear squirrels in your attic, find evidence of nesting, or cannot determine how the animals are getting inside.
Professional wildlife removal can be especially helpful when the entry point is difficult to reach or when there is a possibility that young squirrels are present.
A professional can identify the access point, determine whether wildlife is currently inside, and develop an appropriate removal and exclusion plan.
Prevent squirrels before they become an attic problem
The best time to deal with a squirrel entry point is before a squirrel uses it.
Regularly inspect your roofline, maintain your soffits and fascia, protect vulnerable vents, and keep tree branches properly trimmed. These simple maintenance steps can reduce the opportunities squirrels have to enter your attic.
If you are already hearing scratching or scampering sounds overhead, however, prevention may no longer be the first step. The animal should be safely removed before entry points are permanently sealed.
Need help with squirrels in Your attic?
If squirrels have entered your attic or you suspect wildlife is getting into your home, RealTech Wildlife LLC provides wildlife removal and prevention services throughout Upstate South Carolina.
We help homeowners address wildlife problems and identify ways to prevent animals from getting back inside. Realtechwildlife.com
Serving communities including Greenville, Spartanburg, Greer, Landrum, Simpsonville, and surrounding areas.
Don’t wait for a small entry point to become a major wildlife problem. Contact RealTech Wildlife to discuss your squirrel removal or wildlife prevention needs.