Hearing scratching sounds earlier in the morning? Finding debris inside your attic? Did you see a squirrel disappear from your roof?
As squirrels spend their days running up and down trees and jumping from branch to branch, they have a bird’s-eye view of your roof and its weaknesses. Squirrels can jump four feet vertically and jump six to eight feet horizontally.
Signs of Squirrel Infestation in Wilmington, NC
What Sounds Do Squirrels Make?
The number one complaint from homeowners about squirrels is strange noises early in the morning or at dusk. They search for food during the day, so they leave at dawn and return at dusk.
Common sounds include:
- Scurrying or scratching noises in the attic or walls
- High-pitched chirps, barks, or whistles
- Rolling or dragging sounds as they store nuts or build nests
How to Identify Squirrel Nests
Squirrels use twigs, leaves, shredded paper, cardboard, and even insulation, bunched together. In spring and fall, squirrels use these nests to give birth and protect their kits.
Droppings and Urine Stains
Squirrel droppings are pill-shaped and cylindrical, sometimes with tapered ends. You will find them near nesting areas in the attic. Urine stains on ceilings or strong ammonia-like odors can indicate a long-term infestation.
When Are Squirrels Causing a Problem in Eastern Carolina?
Squirrels can cause problems for homeowners year-round. Mild winter weather in Eastern Carolina lets squirrels stay active throughout the colder months. In spring, squirrels can become even more active as females look for safe places to give birth and raise their kits.

Do Squirrels Cause Problems During the Winter?
Because squirrels do not hibernate in winter, the warmth they feel coming from gaps makes an ideal winter nest. Squirrels will use their teeth to gnaw through damaged or unscreened vents or tiny gaps to enter your attic. They often use nearby tree branches or wires to reach the roof. While squirrels may seem harmless, their presence can damage your home and pose health risks to you and your family.
Squirrel Problems
Squirrels don’t just cause a mess or disrupt your sleep. They can damage property and spread diseases.
Fire Hazard
Gnawed electrical wires can create serious risks.
Health Risks
They carry diseases like rabies and raccoon round worm.
Structural Damage
They damage wood, ductwork, and stored belongings. Squirrels could puncture pipes, creating leaks and water damage.
Fleas & Ticks
Their presence can introduce other pests into your home.
How Critter Control in Wilmington Gets Rid of Squirrels
We’ve provided safe, humane squirrel removal throughout the Wilmington since 2016. DIY squirrel removal often fails because people either miss potential entry gaps or use materials that can’t withstand gnawing.
Our service provides a fast, effective squirrel removal solution supported by our 100% money-back guarantee.
Squirrel Trapping & Removal
The best way to get rid of a squirrel is to use a one-way door or a squirrel trap near an entry point. Squirrels leave your attic every day to forage for food. We can let them go while preventing re-entry. If squirrel kits are present, we will follow proper protocol to safely remove the juveniles and either reunite them with their mothers or foster them with a wildlife rehabilitator.
Squirrel Exclusion & Prevention

The most effective squirrel control is home exclusions. The exclusion repairs block all current and potential squirrel entry points. Squirrel problems do not stop once the squirrel is gone. How long a squirrel lived in your house will determine how much damage it caused. After removing squirrels, we will clean up droppings, apply sanitizing agents, identify gnawed electrical wires, and, in extreme cases, install new insulation.
Squirrels are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, so homeowners often hear loud scratching, running, or thumping noises during the day. Other common signs include chewed entry holes near the roofline, damaged soffits or vents, shredded insulation, droppings, and nesting materials in the attic. A Critter Control inspection can confirm activity and identify entry points.
Yes. Squirrels can cause serious property damage by chewing electrical wiring, which increases the risk of fire. They also damage insulation, wood framing, and HVAC ductwork. While squirrels generally avoid people, they can introduce parasites like fleas or ticks and contaminate attic spaces with urine and droppings.
Critter Control uses humane, science-based wildlife removal methods. In most cases, squirrels are removed using one-way exclusion doors that allow them to leave safely without re-entering. Trapping may be used when exclusion alone is not appropriate. Our methods follow state wildlife regulations and prioritize the animal’s safety.
DIY squirrel removal often leads to incomplete results or costly mistakes, such as trapping animals inside walls or separating mothers from babies. Professionals are trained to identify species, locate all entry points, handle nesting situations properly, and prevent re-entry. Hiring Critter Control helps ensure the problem is resolved safely and permanently.
The cost of squirrel removal depends on factors like the extent of damage, the number of entry points, attic conditions, and whether repairs or exclusion work are needed. Critter Control provides a detailed inspection and customized solution, so you understand the scope and cost before work begins.
After removal, Critter Control seals and reinforces entry points using durable wildlife-proof materials. We may also recommend habitat modifications, such as trimming tree branches away from the roof and securing vulnerable vents, to reduce the chances of future squirrel activity.
If baby squirrels are present, timing and technique are critical. Critter Control technicians carefully remove or reunite young squirrels using species-appropriate methods before completing exclusion work. This ensures humane outcomes while preventing orphaned animals or lingering odor issues.
Yes, it is legal to trap squirrels. But relocating squirrels generally is not allowed. They need to be released at the location of capture.

