Squirrels can sometimes find a safe place to live in your attic, which is supposed to be a place to store things or keep warm. It’s more common than you might think for these quick and clever animals to get into attics. Figuring out the most common ways squirrels get into attics is the first thing that can be done to keep them out.
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Use of the Roof
It’s easy for squirrels to get to your roof from nearby trees or utility poles because they are good at climbing. To get to the roof, they often jump from trees that hang over or climb up walls. Once they’re on top, they look for weak spots that they can use to get inside, like vents, chimneys, or shingles that are loose or broken.
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The roof and eaves
The horizontal base of your roof’s overhang is made up of eaves and soffits. Squirrels will sometimes chew through these places to get into your attic. Their strong teeth can quickly cut through wood, aluminium, or plastic, which gives them a secret way in.
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Gaps and vents
Even though attic vents are necessary for air flow, squirrels can get in through them. They can chew through vent covers or push them away to get in. Access can also be gained through holes in the roof or around utilities like plumbing or electricity lines.
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Front porch boards
Fascia boards go around the edge of your roof and join to soffit boards. Sometimes squirrels can chew through the fascia board or find holes in it that let them into your attic. Their very sharp front teeth make this job surprisingly simple.
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Shingles that are broken or missing
Squirrels are known to take advantage of any holes or weak spots in your roof’s structure. When you have missing or broken shingles on your roof, squirrels can use this as an opportunity to get into your attic. Regular checks and fixes on the roof are very important to avoid this.
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Fire Places
A chimney, especially one that isn’t being used, can be a great place for squirrels to get in. They can get to the chimney from the roof or by climbing down it. Then they can get through the fireplace and into your living areas.
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Trees that hang over
If your roof is close to any trees, squirrels can use those branches as a bridge to get into your attic. From there, they might use weak spots like rooflines or vents to get inside.
Stopping squirrels from getting in
You need to take action to keep rats from getting into your attic. Here are some things you can do to stay safe:
- Cut Back Overhanging Branches: Cut back tree branches that hang close to your roof to make it harder for people to get to them.
- Cover Vents: To keep rats out of your attic, cover vents with secure mesh or screens.
- Regular Roof Inspections: Check your roof and attic often for damage or holes that people can get into. Take care of any problems right away.
- Fill in Gaps: Fill in any gaps around where utilities enter your home and any holes in the roof, soffit boards, or eaves.
- Chimney caps: Put chimney caps on your chimney to keep squirrels and other animals out.
- Get Professional Help: If you think squirrels have already gotten into your attic, you might want to hire a professional squirrel removal service. Professionals can safely take them off and help with safety steps.
As you can see, squirrels are smart animals that can get into attics through a variety of openings. The best way to keep these attic invaders away and protect your house is to do regular inspections, maintenance, and preventative measures. You can keep your attic from becoming a squirrel home by fixing any holes or cracks right away.
Squirrel removal Newmarket, our dedicated squirrel removal service is your solution for safe and humane removal of unwanted squirrels from your property. We specialize in efficient trapping and relocation techniques, ensuring your home remains pest-free and your attic space is reclaimed with minimal disruption to your daily life.