By Roger Maul, Region Sales Manager for Critter Control
As Houston grows and expands, so does the risk of squirrel infestations. While they may seem cute and harmless, squirrels are responsible for significant damage to homes and infrastructure. As a professional in wildlife management, I’ve seen firsthand how these furry creatures can wreak havoc, especially in urban settings like ours. Let me walk you through some key points to remember when it comes to squirrel infestations, particularly in Houston.
The Impact of Land Development on Local Wildlife
Houston’s land development directly contributes to the displacement of native species, including squirrels. When one species is displaced, the entire ecosystem feels the effects. Squirrels, like all animals, are driven by their need for three things: food, water, and shelter. As we build new homes, offices, and infrastructure, we’re inadvertently providing these animals with more shelter, driving them into attics, vents, and even weep holes in our homes.
Squirrel Behavior and Why They Love Your Home
Squirrels are highly adaptive animals. They can jump 5 to 6 feet vertically and 8 feet horizontally, which means even if you think the tree branches are far enough from your house, they can easily find their way in. Their natural ability to chew, particularly to file down their teeth, poses a serious threat to homeowners. Texas homes commonly use PVC and PEX piping, both of which squirrels can chew through, causing costly water damage. In addition, they can gnaw on wires, leading to electrical issues or even fires.
One of the most common entry points for squirrels is the roof, especially through vents created for attic air exhaust. Weep holes, which allow ventilation in homes, are another weak spot that squirrels exploit. In Houston, with its hot and humid climate, homes are particularly vulnerable to these types of entry points.
Recognizing the Signs of a Squirrel Infestation
Most people don’t realize they have a squirrel problem until it’s too late. Because squirrels are diurnal, they’re active during the day and often spend time outside, returning to your attic at night. This sneaky behavior means you might not notice them until you hear scratching or gnawing sounds at sunset, or worse—discover plumbing issues due to chewed pipes. Other telltale signs include fresh wood exposed under paint (from chewing) or tic-tac-shaped droppings scattered around your attic.
One particularly deceptive aspect of a squirrel infestation is their ability to create paths through attic insulation without leaving obvious signs. Squirrels also leave small piles of debris where they chew and build nests.
Year-Round Problem in Houston
Unlike in colder regions, squirrels in Houston don’t hibernate. The warmer climate means that squirrels breed year-round, doubling their birthing season and multiplying their numbers at an alarming rate. This is especially true right now as land development in Houston is displacing more wildlife than ever.
Houston is home to several species of squirrels, including the gray squirrel, ground squirrel, and fox squirrel. These species are now thriving in our urban environments, creating a year-round headache for homeowners.
Squirrel Prevention: It’s Not About Chemicals or Traps
If you think the solution to a squirrel infestation is a quick spray or a trap, think again. The real preventative measures involve physically blocking off potential entry points. Sealing small holes, gaps in roofing, and weep holes are crucial steps to keep squirrels out. However, it’s important to note that common sealants like spray foam are no match for squirrels’ powerful teeth—they can easily chew right through wood.
The best solution is a professional wildlife inspection to identify potential entry points and secure your home. We at Critter Control focus on proactive strategies like sealing gaps and reinforcing vulnerable areas to prevent squirrels from entering your home in the first place.
A Delicate Balance: Protecting Wildlife and Your Home
One final point to remember: in Texas, squirrels are considered a state resource, which means they are protected by law. While they can be incredibly destructive, shooting or harming squirrels is illegal. Instead, if you suspect a squirrel infestation, it’s best to call in a professional wildlife service to handle the problem humanely and legally.
Squirrel Removal in Houston
As Houston continues to expand, the issue of squirrel infestations will only grow. It’s important to be aware of the signs and take preventative steps to protect your home. Remember, squirrels aren’t just pests; they’re part of our ecosystem, and managing them responsibly is key to preserving the delicate balance between urban development and native wildlife.
Stay vigilant, and if you hear that telltale scratching in your attic, don’t wait. Contact Critter Control to assess and address any rodent or wildlife issues before they lead to costly damage.
About the Author
Roger has over 20 years of experience in sales, management, and business development. Roger has over five years helping customers identify nuisance wildlife problems throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisana, New Mexico, and Colorado. As Region Sales Manager, he recruits, trains, and mentors Critter Control’s wildlife sales consultants throughout the South Central region.
Over 65 species of squirrels (Sciuridae) live in North America, and they are some of the most common animals in urban habitats. You’ve probably even seen one today.
Squirrel Problems
Most of the time, squirrels climbing through your trees are not a problem. Squirrels become problematic when they nest inside your house or on your roof. Squirrels will enter your home because competition for resources has increased from unchecked populations, land development eliminates habitats, or even escaping from natural predators like coyotes.
Squirrels easily access your roof by climbing tree branches. They only need a gap the size of a golf ball.
- Soffits – These are the finishing material, mostly made of wood or fiber cement, that covers the underside of a roof overhang. In addition to helping to make the roofline look aesthetically nice, soffits help keep moisture away from the rafters, reducing the chance of mold. Soffits that are not flush with the siding create a gap for squirrels to enter.
- Fascia Boards – These are thin longboards that run along the lower outer edge of a roof, covering the entire roofline. They help keep water out.
- Ridge Vents – Ridge vents are air exhaust vents installed on the peak of a roof that provides continuous exhaust ventilation at the highest part of the attic. Squirrels are attracted to the warm air that comes out of these vents.
- Gable Vents – On a gabled roof, these vents are located at the peak where the two sides meet. They usually have louvers, allowing air to flow into the attic, which works to cool it down in warm weather.
- Roof Returns – This is the part of the roof that doubles back to the wall of the house. It is between the end of the roof and a home’s walls.
- Chimneys – Chimneys conduct smoke and combustion gasses up from a fireplace, stove, or furnace and can run through the attic of a house.
- Siding Corners – This is the trim used to keep your siding in place where the corners meet.
- Gutters – Gutters capture rainwater and melting snow and channel it away from the house. Clogged gutters that prevent precipitation from running will cause deterioration along the roof edge through which a squirrel can enter.
- Plumbing Mats are rubber matting covering cylindrical vents on the roof that connect the plumbing system used to exhaust gasses.
Photos of Squirrel Entry Points & Damage to Exterior
Squirrel holes in metro Atlanta.
Squirrel Damage
Squirrels are determined creatures and will chew and rip their way into your attic, creating a hole that can let rain and snow enter. Once inside, they will continue gnawing on wood, tearing insulation to use for their nests, and chewing on electrical wires. These chewed wires create a fire hazard. In addition, they will defecate, and this causes rot as well as a health concern. Squirrels also carry parasites such as ticks, mites, and fleas that can infest your home.
Squirrel Exclusions- the Best Squirrel Control
The best squirrel control is exclusion. Squirrel trapping solves the immediate squirrel infestation. Your home has already been shown to provide ample resources for squirrels. Without exclusion, you are still at risk for future squirrel infestations.
Because squirrels only need a small entry point, finding all the potential weak spots takes skill and experience.
Exclusion methods keep squirrels from entering your home. Squirrel exclusions are a chemical-free squirrel control method that works immediately. Because squirrels can gnaw through plastic, wood, vinyl, and even metals like aluminum, using the right materials for squirrel control is vital.
The most effective exclusion seals the current squirrel entry hole and strengthens other potential entry points. At Critter Control, we seal all vulnerabilities in the roof, soffits, vents, fascia, and chimneys.
The Best Repellents for Squirrel Control
The internet is full of squirrel deterrent products, but none work well. There is no such thing as an effective squirrel repellent. Stores and the internet show products packaged in striking colors that they market as a cure-all.
Squirrels are attracted to rather specific areas of the home, making them relatively easy to locate. Inside the house itself, squirrels prefer areas that are elevated and not frequented by humans, such as roofs and attics.
How Critter Control Gets Rid of Squirrels in Attic
Getting rid of squirrels on your own can be tricky and dangerous. Squirrels are smart, aggressive, and can transmit disease. If you suspect squirrels in your attic, the best defense is to call a Critter Control wildlife specialist.
Supplies | Tools |
Sheet Metal or | Gloves |
Hardware Cloth | Respirator |
32 x 10 x 12 inches squirrel trap | Ladder |
3×3 in one way squirrel door | Flashlight |
Step 1: Identify Squirrel Entry Points
Look for entry points eaves, soffits, vents, or chimneys. Small openings with gnaw marks are a sign of squirrels.
Step 2: Squirrel Trapping in Atlanta
A one-way door is the safest method of squirrel removal. It will allow squirrels to exit your home, but not re-enter. To use a one-way door, you must first locate all the entry points that the squirrels are using. Live traps with bait are another effective method to remove squirrels from your attic.
Note: If babies are present, you will need to retrieve the babies with proper animal handling gloves.
Step 3: Exclusion Repairs
The most effective squirrel control is home exclusions. The exclusion repairs block all current and potential squirrel entry points.
Step 4: Attic Clean-up and Sanitization
Depending how long a squirrel lived in your house will determine how much damage it caused. After squirrel removal, Critter Control will clean up droppings, remove squirrel nests, apply sanitization agents, and in extreme cases install new insulation.
What are the Signs of Squirrels in the Attic?
Squirrel noises. There’s a good chance you’ll hear a squirrel before you see any visual evidence, especially during winter months, when you’re less likely to notice exterior damage. The sounds squirrels make are often described as scurrying, scampering noises. You might also hear chewing or gnawing sounds. Squirrels like building their nests in attics, so sound will often emanate from there. Squirrel sounds are often mistaken for rat sounds, but there’s one key difference: squirrels are diurnal, so you’ll hear them during the day, whereas rats are nocturnal, and will make more sound at night.
Squirrel nests. Squirrels are well known for nesting in attics, as they provide a safe hideaway for squirrels to raise their young. The inside of an attic is also full of things for them to nibble and sharpen their ever-growing teeth on, like wood and insulation. When a squirrel chews the insulation on electrical wiring, the possibility of a house fire arises. Squirrels enter attics through crevices, gaps, and cracks in soffits, fascia boards, and eaves, or open vents or broken shingles in the roof. Once squirrels reach the attic, they have free reign of the house.
Damage to roof. Another popular nesting site for squirrels is in the roof. Typically, they build these nests with roofing insulation. Take some time to carefully analyze your home’s exterior. Squirrels commonly damage roofs by:
- Chewing holes in soffits. This can allow other small pests to invade your home.
- Biting through shingles. This can lead to water damage.
- Gnawing through joists and siding. This can weaken your home’s structure.
Squirrel Droppings Inside Your Home. Squirrel droppings are often confused for rat droppings, and vice versa. While rat and squirrel droppings do look similar—dark brown to black in color with blunted ends, around 3/8 of an inch long—they are found in different places around the home. Squirrel droppings are often found in attics or around tree trunks, while rat droppings are more common along baseboards, in cupboards, and behind large appliances like washing machines.
What Damage Can Squirrels Cause in Attics?
Squirrels often cause damage to attic insulation or electrical wiring in the attic. But the most damage is done over time as multiple litters of squirrels are born in or near the home. As these squirrels grow and leave the nest, they often will set up their own nests within the same attic. If the initial intrusion is not addressed in time, the damage to your home will increase quickly. Not only will they continue to chew through wiring and damage insulation, but in doing so, they will create more entry points for other squirrels.
Should I Call an Exterminator to Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic?
Using an exterminator for squirrel control in Atlanta is not a good pest control strategy. Exterminators are state-licensed technicians trained to control pests using chemicals. They apply solutions to interior and exterior spaces of homes, offices, restaurants, warehouses, and other structures.
Chemical and natural repellents will occasionally work but provide a short-term solution. Most mammals will grow accustomed to the repellent or deterrent. There are no toxicants registered for squirrel exterminators. It is inhumane. Also, killing a squirrel in your house creates another problem for you.
Who Should I Call for Squirrel Removal?
The professional wildlife control operators at Critter Control understand everything about squirrels, especially those that become a nuisance to property owners. They are certified and trained in methods to prevent, remove, and exclude wildlife from your home or office. Wildlife control operators avoid using chemicals and toxic products that kill, as they are unethical, inhumane, and rarely provide long-term squirrel control solutions.
Critter Control in Atlanta specializes in squirrel removal. To remove a squirrel or family of squirrels on your property, our wildlife specialist will perform a thorough inspection to determine the severity of the problem. After the inspection, they will build a custom solution to trap, remove, and seal all entry points. They will also provide warranty options as well as an estimate for preventative services.