It’s not uncommon for squirrels to try to get inside residential roofs. You may have noticed one scrambling around on your roof or heard the telltale signs of scratching and scurrying in the attic. Squirrels are just looking for a place to hibernate over the winter, but they can cause a lot of damage to your home if left unchecked. Squirrels are known to displace insulation and chew through electrical wiring. If you are having trouble with a squirrel in your roof, you can try to get rid of them yourself, but if that doesn’t work, we’re here to help. Contact the pest control professionals at Birch Fumigators, and our technicians will help you deal with the problem. We have the experience and know-how to get rid of squirrels quickly and efficiently.
What to Do If You Have a Squirrel in Your Roof
If you have a squirrel in your roof, the first thing you should do is try to determine how the squirrel got inside. Check for any openings or holes in your roofline, and if you find any, seal them up with a suitable material, like wire mesh. Once all the openings are sealed, you can try to get rid of the squirrel yourself by using a live trap baited with a favorite food, like peanut butter or nuts. Once the squirrel is caught, you can release it into the wild, far away from your home. Make sure to release them at least five miles away from your home to make sure they don’t come back. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can always call a pest control professional to help.
Why Do Squirrels Get into Roofs?
As autumn approaches and temperatures start to dip, squirrels will start looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Your roof offers them shelter from the cold weather and protection from predators. Once a squirrel has made its way into your roof, it can be difficult to evict them. Squirrels hibernate during the winter, so once they’re inside, they will be looking for a place to stay until spring arrives.
What Damage Can Squirrels Cause?
Squirrels are known to displace insulation and chew through electrical wiring. If the animals are left unchecked, they can cause some serious damage to your home that will be expensive to resolve. In extreme cases, squirrels have been known to cause fires by chewing through electrical wires. Not only is this a danger to your home, but it also poses a risk to the health and safety of you and your family.
How Can I Prevent Squirrels from Getting Into My Roof?
There are several things you can do to prevent squirrels from getting into your roof in the first place. Protect yourself from future problems by following these tips:
- Trim back any trees or shrubs that are close to your house so that animals can’t use them as a bridge to access your roof.
- Seal up any cracks or holes on the exterior of your home, including around vents and chimneys.
- Install metal flashing around the base of your chimney.
- Install caps on vents and chimneys.
If you think you may have a squirrel in your roof, it’s important to take action right away. Not only do they have the potential to cause extensive damage to your home, but they can also pose a serious health and safety risk to you and your family. The best way to deal with a squirrel problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place by taking some simple precautions like trimming back trees and bushes, sealing up cracks and holes, and installing metal flashing around the base of your chimney. If you have tried these measures without success, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Birch Fumigators so we can help resolve the problem before it gets out of hand.