Squirrels look cute outside as they climb trees and hunt for nuts. Catching one inside the home, however, isn’t so cute. If you have squirrels in the home, you’ll need wildlife removal services to get them out. Below are some of the common ways squirrels can enter your home.
Uncapped chimneys are an easy entry route that can lead to serious problems. The outcome of the squirrel that decided to venture into that chimney all depends on the material said chimney is made of. Brick-lined chimneys are no challenge, as squirrels can grip the walls with ease as they climb up and down. The signs of squirrel in house lead to a nest on top of your fireplace.
A clay or steel-lined chimney poses a new challenge. Squirrels are unable to grip this material, and should they choose to venture down this way, they often end up trapping themselves and sliding down into the bottom of the chimney. You might notice a strange odour coming from the house, and you’ll likely have to dispose of a dead squirrel. Cap your chimney as quickly as possible to eliminate this entry point.
Squirrels may have an option of three different vents for entrances: roof, gable, and wall vents. All have a similar function, despite different locations in the home, and they’re all attractive to squirrels. Easy chewing materials, such as plastic and aluminum, presents little challenge for squirrels.
The gable and roof vents circulate attic air, where gable vents are found on either side of a gable roof, versus one regular roof vent. Squirrels are attracted to the feeling of warm air escaping, and they realize there’s a space underneath—if only they can get inside.
Wall vents are found by the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. Those flimsy plastic covers are nothing for squirrels to chew through. A wall vent’s circular cavity resembles a tree, making it an attractive spot to build a nest. Unfortunately, living in this “tree” is a major safety hazard. Pretty soon you’ll find more signs of squirrel in house.
Plumbing mats are placed around the cylindrical vents of your roof, connecting the home’s plumbing system and exhausting sewer gases. The whole is often cut wider than necessary to allow the pipe to run through. The remaining space is covered by this rubber matting—a material easy enough for squirrels to tear. This minor obstacle is hardly a challenge, and in no time a squirrel will have chewed a hole through the rubber and made its way into the home.
This is the point where two roofs meet, as the shingles from the upper section coincide with the lower section. Installed soffits rarely, if ever, meet flush with the shingles below. In its wake is a large gap, an appealing entrance, for squirrels to scurry inside. To keep squirrels from entering here, this soffit hole needs to be sealed tight.
Homeowners should keep a close eye on fascia boards, shingles, and eaves—all areas along the roof edge. These squirrel hotspots are advantageous entry points because of how quickly the shingles here can deteriorate.
The roof edge is susceptible to erosion from snow and rain buildup, and vegetation stuck in the gutters. Some squirrels may even build nests using the vegetation in the gutters—one of many unfortunate signs of squirrel in house. When moisture builds and ice melts, the shingles dampen and the wood weakens. Squirrels now have an easier time chewing away at the fascia boards to create a space large enough to scurry through.
Don’t let squirrels invade your home. Inspect your property for regular maintenance to keep squirrels out.