Here are some steps you can take to prevent squirrels from invading your attic.
For trees within six to eight feet of your house, prevent squirrels from climbing them by fastening a two-foot band of sheet metal around the trunk of the tree six to eight feet above the ground. Wrap wires around the trunk and attach them together with springs to secure the sheet metal. Trim tree limbs so they are no closer than six to eight feet from the house.
Check the exterior of your house for places where squirrels may have entered your attic. Squirrels can squeeze through openings the size of an adult’s fist. Also check for gaps and weak or rotted areas.
Look inside the attic for openings or places where light shines in from outside. This could indicate a potential entry point. Seal all entry points securely and replace any rotting wood. Seal openings at joints of siding and overhanging eaves and places where utility cables or pipes enter the house. Install caps on chimneys and check for gaps in the flashing at the chimney base.
Securely fasten quarter-inch or half-inch wire (not mesh) hardware cloth (available from hardware and box stores) over attic vents. Extend the cloth two inches beyond the hole in all directions to prevent squirrels from gnawing around it. Secure it with a staple gun, U nails, or regular nails, and re-enforce it with sheet metal screws. Spray the area with a repellant available at garden, hardware, pet, or feed stores.
If you think squirrels may have already entered your attic, you don’t want to accidentally trap them inside. To find out if the squirrels are inside or outside, ball up some newspaper, stuff it inside the possible entry point, and wait two days. If the newspaper is still intact, it is likely that the squirrels are outside, and you can seal the hole. If the paper has been moved, the squirrels may be inside, in which case you should call a professional pest removal company. Anderson Wildlife Control LLC has the tools and experience necessary to take care of all your nuisance wildlife problems.
