Many neighbourhoods are used to seeing squirrels, with their bushy tails and funny acts. But if these seemingly innocent animals get into your home, especially your attic, they can quickly become unwanted guests. Understanding the most common ways squirrels get into your attic is important if you want to get rid of the problem quickly.
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Skirt and Roof Gaps
Because squirrels are quick movers, they often get into your home by taking advantage of holes or other weak spots on the outside. Squirrels can easily get into your attic through gaps between the roof and the eaves, soffits, or fascia boards. They can chew or widen these holes over time to make room for themselves.
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Openings for vents
Attic vents are made to let air flow while keeping wetness from building up. It’s possible for squirrels to get in through these holes, though. They can get into the attic by chewing or scratching through vent screens. To avoid this, vent covers and screens should be checked and fixed up on a regular basis.
Getting to the chimney
A second way for squirrels to get into your attic is through a chimney. These smart animals can climb down the chimney and get into your home if they find holes or openings at the base. A key way to stop this from happening is to make sure your chimney is well covered with a chimney cap or spark arrestor.
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Tree limbs and branches that hang over the edge
Trees are great for squirrels because they can jump and climb them easily. Near your home, tree limbs or branches that hang over can be used as a bridge to get to your attic. Squirrels will happily jump from a tree to your roof and look for ways to get in. These acrobatic thieves might be scared off by cutting back trees that make it easy for them to get to your roof.
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Ways to get into the attic
Some homes don’t properly close off places that people can get into the attic, like dormers or vents. These holes are easy for squirrels to get through, so it’s important to make sure that all access points are sealed tightly with the right materials to keep out pests.
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Roof shingles or flashing that aren’t strong
Animals like squirrels can get into your home through loose or broken roof shingles and flashing. It is known for squirrels to pry up shingles or chew on flashing to make holes in roofs. To find and fix these holes in the roof, it needs to be inspected and maintained regularly.
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Roof vents
Gable vents are meant to let air into the attic, but squirrels can get in through them. There are often holes in these vents that squirrels can use to get through. Squirrels can’t get into your attic through gable vents if you put protection covers or screens over them.
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Damage to the fascia and siding
By chewing on fascia boards and walls to make holes for themselves, squirrels can do a lot of damage. To keep the outside of your home in good shape and keep squirrels out, you need to carefully check these areas and fix any problems right away.
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Power and cable lines
There may be holes or breaks in the utility and cable lines that run into your home that squirrels can use to get in. Squirrels can be kept away by checking these places often for signs of intrusion and sealing off possible entry points.
Understanding these common entry places and taking steps to keep squirrels out are important for keeping your home safe. If you think or know you have a squirrel problem, you should get professional help to get rid of these annoying guests from your attic safely and effectively and stop them from coming back.
Squirrel Removal Barrie guarantees complete removal of the squirrels in question and uses safe and humane techniques to rid the property of the squirrels. Our technicians can use a combination of techniques and alternatives when the situation asks for it. We have resolved and excluded countless squirrels throughout the Barrie area and continue to do so with pride.