Squirrels may seem like harmless creatures as they scurry around your yard, but when they invade your home, they can cause significant damage and create a serious nuisance. These agile rodents are known for chewing through wood, insulation, and even electrical wiring, which then creates costly repairs and potential fire hazards. If you’ve heard scratching noises in your attic or noticed signs of squirrel activity, you might already have an infestation.
Understanding why squirrels enter homes and learning how to prevent them is crucial for protecting your property. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons squirrels seek shelter in homes, the damage they can cause, and effective prevention methods to keep them out for good.
Why Do Squirrels Invade Homes?
Squirrels are resourceful creatures, and while they naturally live in trees, they often seek out homes as alternative nesting spots. Here are the main reasons why squirrels invade homes:
1. Seeking Shelter from Weather and Predators
Squirrels prefer warm, dry spaces to build their nests, especially during colder months. Your attic, chimney, or crawl space provides them with a safe environment because it’s free from predators like hawks and owls.
2. Nesting and Raising Young
Female squirrels often seek out secure locations to give birth and raise their babies. Attics and walls offer the perfect hiding spots where their young can grow without the threat of predators.
3. Easy Access Points
Homes often have weak points such as loose shingles, damaged soffits, and small openings that squirrels can exploit. If they find an entryway, they’ll take advantage of it.
4. Food Availability
Squirrels are constantly searching for food. If your yard has bird feeders, fruit trees, or easily accessible trash bins, your home becomes even more attractive to them.
5. Attractive Nesting Materials
Squirrels chew on insulation, wood, and even electrical wiring to gather materials for their nests. Your attic provides an abundance of soft and fibrous materials they can use for building shelter.
The Damage Squirrels Can Cause in Your Home
Once inside, squirrels can cause significant destruction. Their constant chewing and nesting behaviors lead to numerous problems, including:
1. Structural Damage
- Squirrels chew through wood, shingles, and insulation, weakening the integrity of your home.
- They create holes in siding, vents, and soffits, allowing for water intrusion and additional pest infestations.
2. Electrical Hazards
- Squirrels increase the risk of short circuits and house fires because they have strong teeth that can gnaw through electrical wires.
- Damaged wiring can lead to expensive repairs and potential safety hazards.
3. Contamination and Odors
- Squirrel droppings and urine can accumulate in your attic, leading to unpleasant odors and potential health risks.
- Their nests may contain fleas, ticks, or mites, which then can spread to other areas of your home.
4. Noise Disturbances
- Squirrels are active during the day and often make scratching, scurrying, and gnawing noises in the attic or walls.
- Their activity can be particularly disruptive in the early morning or late evening.
5. Damage to Insulation
- Squirrels shred insulation for their nests, which then reduces its effectiveness and leading to higher energy bills.
- Compromised insulation can make it harder to regulate your home’s temperature, costing you money in heating and cooling expenses.
How to Prevent Squirrels from Entering Your Home
Preventing a squirrel infestation requires a combination of sealing entry points, making your home less appealing, and using deterrents. Here are some effective strategies:
1. Seal Entry Points
The first and most important step in preventing squirrels from getting inside is to block any potential access points.
- Inspect your roof, attic vents, soffits, and chimney for gaps or holes.
- Seal any openings with durable materials such as steel mesh or heavy-duty caulking.
- Repair damaged siding or loose shingles because they could serve as an entryway.
- Install a chimney cap to prevent squirrels from climbing in.
2. Trim Trees and Overhanging Branches
Squirrels use tree branches as a bridge to your roof.
- Trim tree limbs at least 8-10 feet away from your home.
- Remove any ivy or vines growing on the walls, because they provide easy climbing access.
3. Protect Bird Feeders and Food Sources
Squirrels are attracted to food sources near your home.
- Use squirrel-proof bird feeders or place them far from your house.
- Store pet food and trash bins in sealed containers.
- Clean up fallen fruit or nuts from trees in your yard.
4. Use Squirrel Repellents
Natural and commercial repellents can discourage squirrels from nesting in or around your home.
- Sprinkle peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, or predator urine around potential entry points.
- Install ultrasonic repellent devices because they emit high-frequency sounds that deter rodents.
- Use motion-activated sprinklers to scare them away from your yard.
5. Install Metal Barriers
Squirrels have strong teeth, but they cannot chew through metal.
- Cover vulnerable areas such as vents and soffits with wire mesh or metal flashing.
- Install metal guards around trees or poles to prevent climbing.
6. Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Prevention is an ongoing process.
- Conduct seasonal inspections of your roof and attic.
- Look for signs of gnawing, droppings, or nests.
- If you suspect an infestation, take immediate action to prevent further damage.
What to Do If You Have a Squirrel Infestation
If you suspect squirrels have already invaded your home, here’s what you should do:
1. Identify the Problem
Look for signs such as scratching noises, droppings, or chew marks around entry points.
2. Avoid DIY Removal
Trapping and removing squirrels yourself can be risky because they may bite or carry diseases. Additionally, many states have regulations regarding the humane removal of wildlife.
3. Contact a Professional Wildlife Removal Service
Hiring a professional wildlife removal company such as Covenant Wildlife ensures safe and humane removal of squirrels from your home. Our expert team can:
- Identify all entry points and seal them properly.
- Safely remove squirrels without causing harm.
- Provide long-term solutions to prevent future infestations.
Why Choose Covenant Wildlife for Squirrel Removal?
At Covenant Wildlife, we specialize in humane and effective squirrel removal services. Our trained professionals use eco-friendly methods to keep your home safe while protecting local wildlife.
Our Services Include:
- Thorough inspections to locate all squirrel entry points.
- Humane trapping and relocation following local wildlife laws.
- Damage repair and exclusion to prevent future invasions.
- Ongoing monitoring and prevention plans to keep your home pest-free.
Squirrels can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Don’t wait until the problem escalates—contact Covenant Wildlife today for expert squirrel removal and prevention services!
Keep Squirrels Out of Your Home
Squirrels are persistent creatures that can wreak havoc in your home if they gain entry. Understanding why they invade, recognizing the damage they can cause, and taking proactive steps to prevent them is essential for protecting your property. When you seal entry points, trim trees, secure food sources, and use deterrents, you can keep squirrels at bay.
If you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation, Covenant Wildlife is here to help. Our experienced team provides safe, effective, and humane solutions to remove squirrels and prevent them from coming back.
Call us today to schedule a squirrel inspection and keep your home protected!
