How can squirrels get in your attic? Are you concerned about squirrel presence in your attic?
One thing that’s most common with most homeowners is concern over how these pests got into the attic in the first place.
This is a logical way to look at the problem as you seek to address it.
We are all for finding lasting solutions to squirrel problems. As such, we’ll be providing you with all the information you need regarding the entry points used by these rodents.
That way, you’re able to get these rodents out and block access to your attic.
The Signs
Every pest issue is identified by signs.
These may be subtle or very evident. Common signs of squirrels in the attic include foul odors, unusual noises, nests in the attic, and damage to your property.
Others include acorn deposits and droppings.
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Foul Odors
One of the first signs of squirrel presence you’re like to notice is the foul smell given off by their urine. This can permeate your home surroundings. In worst-case scenarios, these squirrels may get stuck and die.
Here, the odor worsens as they decompose.
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Unusual Noises
Squirrels are never silent. They announce their presence with noises made when they dash or scuttle across your attic. Such noises are mostly audible in the mornings and at dusk.
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Nests in Attic
Your attic provides a perfect nesting ground for squirrels.
This is especially true for those with ample insulation. Here, you’re likely to find torn or destroyed insulation plus other possible nesting materials like debris and leaves.
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Damage to Property
One of the signs of squirrel presence that’s never in doubt is the damage caused to property. These rodents will readily chew through anything they can find.
This includes wiring, molding, and whatever else they can.
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Acorn Deposits
There’s no doubt at all that squirrels love to gather acorns. So, whenever you find these around your home or in your attic, it’s a strong sign that squirrels are not far away.
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Droppings
An easy way to identify squirrels’ presence is by their droppings. These droppings are mostly scattered across your attic and roof areas. When these are spotted, it’s a confirmation to act.
How Squirrels Get Into Attic
In a bid to find the perfect nesting spot, squirrels will readily enter the attic.
Other possible reasons why these rodents find your attic attractive include safety from predators, shelter from the cold, and mating purposes.
Whatever the reasons are is immaterial. What matters most is how they got in and how they can be removed. Squirrels access your attic through roof-soffit intersections, roof vents, and wall vents.
Other possible entry points include gable vents, roof edges, chimneys, and plumbing mats.
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Roof Soffit Intersections
This is also known as the hidden entry point for rodents and other pests. It’s one of the vulnerable points of a building that provides easy access.
For readers having a little confusion about this part of a building, the soffit is basically the horizontal area of your roof which covers the attic ventilation.
Here, squirrels can easily take a stroll into your attic through the roof soffit intersections to cause all sorts of trouble.
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Roof Vents
Roof vents serve as ready access points to squirrels due to the warmth being emitted.
Squirrels are driven by self-preservation and will escape the cold to areas with warmth. These rodents will chew through just about anything they can to access your attic through this point.
Plastic or aluminum vent covers may not be enough to prevent squirrels from gaining access to your attic. As such, frequent inspection of roof vents is necessary to keep these rodents out.
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Wall Vents
While wall vents serve an important function (as exhausts for installed fans), they’re also considered weak points from which squirrels gain access into your attic.
These squirrels will readily nest in such areas, thus creating all sorts of issues as mentioned earlier.
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Gable Vents
All installations aimed at providing ventilation (such as gable vents), though effective in that regard, serve as weak points through which squirrels get into attics.
Gable vents are made from different types of materials including plastic, wood, and aluminum.
Now, squirrels are notorious for chewing through a wide range of materials including those mentioned.
These rodents may be resolute in getting access to your attic by sustained chewing on wood, plastic, or aluminum components of gable vents.
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Roof Edge
Have you considered the possibility of squirrels gaining entry to your attic through the roof edge? They do!
Construction materials underneath the roof edge tend to degrade faster due to being wetter for a significant period of time.
Degraded materials such as rotted wood are easier for squirrels to chew on, thus, gaining faster entry into your attic than would have been the case when materials aren’t degraded.
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Chimneys
A chimney left uncapped is an open invitation to squirrels and other pests. Also, the warmth of such a chimney during cold weather will easily lure squirrels in.
These may find their way into your attic when there are cracks on the chimney walls.
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Plumbing Mats
As holes are cut for plumbing vents on the roof, the wider spaces created need to be patched up with plumbing mats.
Now, such patches create a weak point through which squirrels can exploit by constantly chewing on them. Before long, sustained chewing gives them access to your attic.
Fighting Back
Taking back control of your property is the most logical approach to adopt. Preventive action is the best control option. Here, you’ll need to find all openings used by these rodents to gain access.
Have all such holes sealed off.
Another approach is to have a reputable pest control service provide comprehensive treatment for your squirrel problem. This approach is more reliable as it ensures all access points are blocked off and squirrels exterminated.
Also, professional pest treatment comes with a guarantee. After the initial treatment, a reliable pest service will inspect after some time to find out if the squirrels are gone for good.
These are the many ways by which squirrels get into your attic. Now that you know the likely spots for entry, you’re able to take decisive measures to ensure they’re eliminated.