Have you been hearing strange noises coming from your attic lately?
Scratching sounds, the pitter-patter of tiny feet, or even the sound of chirping? If so, you may have squirrels living in your attic space.
Squirrels are known for their curious nature, and they’re quick to find new homes. Unfortunately, your attic is a prime spot for squirrels, as it provides a warm and cosy place for them to nest and easy access to food and water.
Why Do Squirrels Choose Attics?
1) Warmth and Comfort
Squirrels are active throughout the year but need a warm and cosy place to nest in winter. Your attic provides the perfect environment for this, as it’s typically warmer than the outside temperatures.
2) Easy Access to Food and Water
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, taking advantage of any food source. For example, your attic might be a food source for them if you store items like nuts or birdseed up there. Squirrels can also easily find water sources in your home, such as leaky pipes or standing water.
3) Safe from Predators
Attics provide squirrels with a safe place to nest where they can avoid predators such as birds of prey, foxes, and cats.
What Damage Can Squirrels Cause?
While squirrels might seem cute and harmless, they can actually cause a lot of damage to your home. For example, squirrels chew through wood, insulation, and electrical wires. This chewing results in structural damage to your home and can even start fires if they chew through electrical wires.
Squirrels also require nesting material; therefore, they’ll use insulation, drywall, and even clothing. Again, this damages your home’s insulation, making it less effective at keeping it warm.
Squirrels can carry several diseases, including rabies and Lyme disease. If you come into contact with squirrel droppings or urine, you could be at risk of contracting these diseases.
How Do You Get Rid of Squirrels?
1) Identify Entry Points
The first step in removing squirrels is identifying how they got into your attic. Look for holes or gaps in your roof, walls, or eaves. Squirrels can squeeze through tiny spaces, so be thorough in your search.
2) Seal Entry Points
Once you’ve identified the entry points, you must seal them up. Use a strong wire mesh to cover any holes or gaps. Be sure to secure the mesh tightly so that squirrels can’t chew through it.
3) Trapping and Removal
Live trapping is a humane way to get rid of squirrels. However, once you’ve trapped them, you must release them five miles away from your home to prevent them from returning.
If you’re not comfortable doing this, contact a professional pest controller. Squirrels can attack and bite you when they feel threatened. Handling squirrels is best done by professionals with knowledge, skills, and better equipment to safely remove squirrels from your home.
So, if you think you have squirrels in your attic, take action as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your home.
The Pest Experts Ayrshire provides a fast and effective Squirrel Control service throughout Ayrshire and the West of Scotland. Get in touch for a quick response from our team of pest experts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I tell if squirrels are living in my attic?
Common signs include scratching or scurrying noises during the day, chewing sounds, droppings in loft spaces, and visible damage around roof edges or entry points where squirrels may be gaining access.
Why do squirrels choose attics as nesting sites?
Attics provide warmth, shelter, and protection from predators, making them ideal nesting locations. They may also be attracted to insulation materials used for building nests.
Are squirrels in the attic dangerous?
Yes. Squirrels can cause damage by chewing wood, insulation, and electrical wiring, which may lead to structural issues and potential fire hazards if left unresolved.
How do squirrels get into the attic?
Squirrels typically enter through gaps in roof tiles, soffits, vents, or damaged fascia boards. They are agile climbers and often use nearby trees or structures to access the roof.
Will squirrels leave the attic on their own?
It is unlikely that squirrels will leave voluntarily once they have established a nest, especially if they have young. They tend to return to safe, sheltered spaces repeatedly.
What should I do if I suspect squirrels in my attic?
If squirrels are suspected, it is important to avoid disturbing them and assess potential entry points. Professional pest control is often recommended to safely remove them and prevent re-entry.
