As winter approaches, squirrels begin looking for warm, safe places to keep warm. Unfortunately, your home may become their favorite retreat. Squirrels are clever, fast and agile climbers. They can enter attics, walls, or roofs through spaces that seem incredibly small compared to their size. If you’ve been hearing noises or scratching or scurrying above your ceiling, you likely have a squirrel already living in your home.
In this blog, we’ll specify common entry points for squirrels in homes during winter, discuss why squirrels enter your homes and explain how some form of squirrel removal and squirrel control may help you keep your home safe from squirrels.
1. Roof Vents and Soffits
Squirrels are expert climbers and jumpers. They often access your roof by climbing trees, or drain pipes next to your home. Once furry friends are on the roof, roof vents and soffits are an easy access point. These spots lead to a warm attic space squirrels can nest in during the winter.
Squirrels can chew through a plastic or aluminum vent easily and quickly. Once inside your vent, they start to build nests with insulation materials, wood and anything else they can find. This is where squirrel removal from the attic comes in because squirrels have no trouble chewing through wiring, wood and insulation.
2. Chimneys
Chimneys can resemble a hollow tree trunk. They provide shelter, warmth and safety from predators. In the winter, it is not unusual for a squirrel to try traveling down your chimney and set up its winter nest.
If you hear scratching or chirping in your fireplace area, do not try to start a fire to scare them away. This action can risk harm to the animal or cause damage due to the smoke. The best option is to contact a service experienced in squirrel removal. They will take care of the animal safely and humanely.
3. Openings at Roofing Edges and Fascia Boards
The edges of your roof or fascia boards are often vulnerable to weathering and deterioration over time. Squirrels take great advantage of even the smallest opening in that area. If they find a weak point, they will chew and expand until they can fit through the hole.
They usually target roof edges or fascia boards, as they have direct access to the attic from that area a warm and quiet place to nest. From a squirrel control perspective, this is where to start – inspect for gaps or openings at the edges of the roof and through the fascia boards to seal these areas with permanent materials.
4. Attic Vents and Gable Ends
Attic and gable vents are another common entry point for squirrels. They will easily chew through vent screens made of flimsy material. Once a squirrel gets into the attic space, they will look for insulation to nest in and may even have babies.
This will cause noise and create a fire hazard; squirrels love to chew on electrical wiring. If you think you have a squirrel in your attic, you should have it removed immediately.
5. Openings Around Windows, Pipes and Utility Lines
You might not think about it, but small openings around windows, pipes or utility lines can easily become areas of entry. Squirrels are curious and persistent creatures – if they find a crack or a hole, they’re going to try to work on getting through and making it bigger over time.
This opening could allow a family of squirrels to nest in your walls or your ceilings, and you may not know about it until you hear noises. Regularly inspecting these areas is part of all squirrel control efforts for homeowners.
Why Squirrels Choose Your Home in the Winter
Squirrels don’t intend to be a nuisance they are simply looking for warmth and safety. In the winter, the food sources are limited and the temperatures drop quickly. Your home offers warmth and a haven from predators. However, when they start taking up residence, they have the potential to cause damage to your property, develop smells and cause health issues.
This is why it is pertinent to remove the squirrels promptly. Professional experts can assess the situation, humanely remove the squirrels, clean up the mess and seal off the entry points so you don’t get any more.
Conclusion
Squirrels are adorable little creatures, but when they invade your house, they can cause significant problems. Knowing how they enter your home is a good first step to keeping them out.
If you have squirrels living in your attic or walls already, do not try to handle the squirrel situation by yourself. There are professional squirrel removal services that can provide safe, humane, and effective removal of squirrels. Not only do they remove the squirrels, they also help prevent future infestations!
Keep your home a happy, cozy place for your family, not the squirrels!
