Squirrels in the Attic: Why They Are More Dangerous Than You Think

It starts with a scratching sound at dawn. Then, running footsteps across the ceiling. If you are hearing noises in your attic during the day, you likely have squirrels. While they are entertaining to watch in the park, squirrels are among the most destructive pests to have inside a home.

The Fire Hazard No One Talks About

The biggest danger of a squirrel infestation isn’t just the noise; it’s fire. Squirrels belong to the rodent family, which means their front teeth never stop growing. To keep them filed down, they must chew constantly.

In an attic, the most convenient things to chew on are wooden support beams and electrical wiring.

• Exposed Wires: When squirrels chew through the protective plastic coating of electrical wires, they leave live copper exposed.
• Nesting Material: Squirrels build nests out of dry materials like insulation, leaves, and paper.
• The Spark: If a squirrel chews a live wire near dry nesting material, it creates a perfect storm for an electrical fire. Statistics show that a significant percentage of “unknown cause” house fires are likely attributed to rodent damage.

Signs of a Squirrel Infestation

• Daytime Noise: Unlike raccoons or mice, squirrels are diurnal (active during the day). You will hear them most in the early morning and before sunset.
• Chewed Entry Points: Inspect your roofline, fascia boards, and vents. Squirrels can chew through wood, plastic, and even soft metals like aluminum. Look for fresh, light-colored wood chips.
• Acorns in the Attic: Finding nuts or nesting debris stored in your insulation is a sure sign.
• Water Damage: Sometimes, holes created by squirrels allow rain to enter, causing water stains on your ceiling that mimic a roof leak.

How They Get In

Squirrels are acrobatic and persistent. They can jump up to 5 feet vertically and 10 feet horizontally. Common entry points include:

1. Gable Vents: Often screened with flimsy insect wire that squirrels can easily tear through.
2. Soffit Intersections: Where rooflines meet, construction gaps often exist that squirrels exploit.
3. Rotten Fascia: Any water-damaged wood is easy for them to chew through to gain access.

The Humane Removal Process

At Humane Wildlife Control Solutions, we do not use poisons. Poisons are cruel, pose risks to pets, and result in dead squirrels rotting in your walls. Instead, we use a systematic exclusion process:

1. Installation of One-Way Doors: We identify the main entry point and install a specialized one-way door. This allows the squirrels to exit the attic to find food but prevents them from re-entering.
2. Sealing Secondary Points: We seal all other potential entry points with steel mesh and heavy-duty sealants so they cannot chew a new hole.
3. Monitoring: We monitor the situation to ensure all animals have left.
4. Permanent Sealing: Once the attic is clear, we remove the door and permanently seal the entry.

Don’t let “cute” pests put your home at risk. If you suspect squirrels in your attic, contact HWCS for a professional inspection and exclusion plan.