The habits of our animal friends also change with the seasons. Squirrels, which are known for being quick and able to change, can often be seen in our neighbourhoods. These animals like to hang out in our yards and parks, but they can also move into places we’d rather they didn’t: our attics. In this guide, we’ll talk about when and why squirrels usually get into attics. This will help you understand their habits and protect your house.
How and When Squirrels Take Over
Squirrel attacks tend to happen at certain times, and if you know when they will happen, you can be ready for them. The two main times of year when squirrels get into attics are:
- In the spring, squirrels often look for places that are safe and warm to build their nests and raise their young. Attics are great places to hide. As the weather gets warmer, they move around more and you may hear them.
- Fall: Squirrels get ready for the colder months ahead in the fall. They start looking for warm places to spend the winter, and the insulation in your attic looks like a good choice. This is when you might see more squirrels as they get ready to sleep for the winter.
How come squirrels like attics?
Squirrels are attracted to attics for a number of reasons:
- Warmth and shelter: Attics are great places to go when the weather is bad. They keep you warm in the winter and protect you from the weather.
- Safe Places to Nest: Squirrels often make houses for their young out of insulation. The insulation in your attic can become a cozy place for birds to nest.
- Closeness to Food: Squirrels eat when they can. If your house is close to trees or bird feeders, they might see it as an easy way to get food.
- Squirrels are good at climbing, so they can easily get into your attic through tree branches or holes in your roof.
Signs That You Have a Squirrel Problem
To deal with squirrel problems quickly, it’s important to know what to look for. Here are a few signs that squirrels might be living in your attic:
- Strange Noises: In the morning and evening, there are sounds of scratching, scrambling, and running coming from the attic.
- Materials that squirrels chew on include wires, insulation, and wood. Check your attic for signs of damage.
- Unpleasant Smells: Squirrel poop and pee can make your attic smell bad.
- Entry Points That Can Be Seen: Look for holes or gaps in the structure of your attic.
Keeping Squirrels from Taking Over
The best way to protect your attic and home from squirrels is to stop them from getting in. Here are some ways to stop it:
- Seal Entry Points: Check your attic and seal any holes or broken vents that could be used to get in.
- Cut Back Trees: Cut back any trees that make it easy for people to get onto your roof or attic.
- Secure Attic Vents: Cover attic vents, roof vents, and chimney holes with screens or caps.
- How to Store Food: If you have bird feeders or store food for your pets, keep them in containers that keep air out.
Getting to Work
If you think there are squirrels in your attic, you need to take action right away. If you don’t deal with the problem, it could get worse and cause health problems. Think about these steps:
- Identify the Problem: Make sure that there are squirrels by seeing them or looking for strange sounds.
- Choose Your Own Adventure: Choose whether you’ll get rid of the squirrels yourself or hire someone to do it.
- Block Entry Points: Once the squirrels are gone, block all the places they could get in to keep them from coming back.
- Clean and Fix: If your attic needs it, clean and cleanse it and fix any damage.
- Prevent Future Invasions: Take protective steps to stop squirrels from coming back.
If you know when and why squirrels tend to get into attics, you can better protect your home and plan for their arrival. By taking action and putting in place protective measures, you can keep squirrels out of your attic all year long.
Professional and effective squirrel removal in Cobourg. Our services are performed by fully trained and experienced wildlife control specialists that have a wide set of tools available to get the job done.