Do you need to know how to get rid of squirrels in the attic? Keep squirrels out long-term with these tips from Atticare, a leading provider of attic and crawl space services.
Atticare has been carrying out effective rodent proofing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and New Jersey for over a decade, so we know all about squirrels and how to remove them.
Let’s take a closer look at squirrels, the threats they pose and how to get rid of them.
Can A Squirrel Harm You?
The short answer is yes. They may look cute but they can pose a serious threat to people and pets alike. So it’s important to keep squirrels out of your attic for the following reasons.
Attacking
Squirrels are generally shy and will run away if they can. However, if they’re cornered they may put up a fight against you or your pets. They get especially aggressive if they have babies, known as “kits” or “kittens.”
Diseases
Squirrels are rodents, which carry diseases. If squirrels bite, they can infect humans with plague, typhus or ringworm. Rabies in squirrels is extremely rare, but you should be aware that it’s a possibility if you’re within biting range. Ouch.
Parasites
Fleas and ticks may also be hitching a ride on the squirrels in your attic, and they can transfer onto you or your pets. The last thing you need is a pet with fleas or ticks from coming into contact with squirrels.
Ticks, as illustrated above, are no joke. Both humans and dogs can catch Lyme disease from ticks, a serious condition that attacks joints and organs.
What Damage Do Squirrels Do?
Apart from the dangers to your health, squirrels can wreak havoc on the structure of attics and roofs. Here’s what they can do when they have free rein of your attic.
- Weaken critical support beams.
- Tear into gas and water pipes.
- Remove roof shingles creating entry points for rain and other pests.
- Gnaw through electrical wiring.
- Chew up attic insulation.
As you can see, left unchecked there’s a danger that your roof and attic beams could collapse, as well as the risk of fire and leaks.
What Does A Squirrel Sound Like In The Attic?
Squirrels are most active in the daytime so that’s when it’s best to listen out for them. They’re heavier than other pests so you may be able to hear them running along with claws, and scratching.
Like rats, squirrels are loud chewers so you will sometimes be able to hear them gnawing.
Have you heard a funny sound, too? Kind of like something rolling along? One of the signs of squirrels in the attic is this rolling noise. It’s actually the squirrels rolling their food along a hard surface.
How To Tell If You Have Squirrels In The Attic
Not sure what’s up there? Here are the most typical signs of squirrels in the attic.
- Gaps in your roof.
- A strong musty smell of feces and urine.
- Seeing more squirrels than usual in the yard and on the roof.
- Items in the yard like bark or bird feeders being chewed or destroyed.
- Globe-shaped nests, also called dreys, in the attic.
- Chewed up wood in the attic.
- Seeing squirrels fighting outside, indicating a dispute over your attic as their territory.
What Is The Best Way To Repel Squirrels?
The most effective way to keep squirrels out is rodent proofing, which means getting them out then sealing all the entrances so they can’t get back in.
However, you can also repel squirrels from the attic with smells they don’t like. This can work if we’re only talking about a couple of squirrels. Squirrels with nests and young won’t leave your attic however much they object to the smell.
Here are some natural smells you can introduce in your attic that squirrels hate. You can dilute them and soak fabric in the mixture to lay around your attic, or make a spray.
- Cider vinegar
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Thyme
- Cinnamon
It’s also possible to repel squirrels from the attic using the following, as long as pets and young children can’t access the area.
- Mothballs
- Ammonia
- Fox urine
It’s important to bear in mind too that the bad smell technique is a temporary fix until you can get a professional team like Atticare in to fix the gaps in your attic.
How Do You Get Squirrels Out Of The Attic?
Here’s our clean, simple and humane process that works.
Cleaning Your Attic
The first step Atticare takes is to clean the attic of squirrel nests and debris such as feces or urine. It makes it easy to see what we’re dealing with.
Rodent Proofing
The most humane and effective way to keep squirrels out is through rodent proofing. This means blocking the entrances into your attic with wire mesh and foam. No traps means no rotting squirrels to deal with in the future.
Air Sealing
We also caulk any tiny cracks so your home is well-insulated. Rodents can tell if a home is warm and can make a small opening larger in order to gain entry.
Insulation Replacement
If you’ve had several squirrels they will probably have soiled your insulation. Damp or torn insulation doesn’t work as well and dirty insulation is terrible for your indoor air quality.
So the best course of action is to have Atticare lay new insulation in your newly cleaned attic.
How To Keep Squirrels Out Of The Attic Long-Term
You can get rid of squirrels once, but more will try to get back in the future.
With this in mind, it’s important to keep an eye out for the first signs of squirrels in the attic. It’s much easier to kick squirrels out when there are a couple than when there’s a lot.
The Atticare team is happy to come to your home for a free inspection if you suspect the squirrels have come back.
Keep Squirrels Out Of Your Attic Effectively With Atticare
Wondering who to call for squirrels in the attic? If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles or New Jersey, simply get in touch with Atticare for top-rated, long-lasting squirrel removal and rodent proofing.
Our knowledgeable team is waiting for your call at (866) 692-5449.
