The Impact of Squirrels in Gutters and How to Handle Them

If you have squirrels in the gutters, find a Critter Control near you.

Found in every part of the country, squirrels are skilled climbers that jump from tree to tree and scurry onto roofs or up drainage pipes with ease. Squirrels take every opportunity to collect and eat foods they enjoy, regardless of location. Unclean gutters are an excellent place for squirrels to find nuts, leaves, and twigs from nearby trees. Squirrels are more likely to nest in gutters in the fall and winter. If you encounter one, it is crucial to contact a professional to remove it safely. Critter Control experts use humane methods to get rid of squirrels in gutters.

What Does a Squirrel Nest in Your Gutter Look Like?

When these pests nest in gutters, they cause many issues for homeowners. If a squirrel is in your gutters, there will be signs, such as:

Scratching and scampering sounds
Squirrel droppings
Nesting materials
Tree nuts and shells
Obvious damage to the gutter and surrounding area

Why Is There a Squirrel in Your Gutter?

Squirrels get into your drainage systems for many reasons. Leaves and twigs in gutters make great nesting material, and enclosed ducts keep these animals out of the reach of predators. It is also possible that there is a squirrel stuck in your gutter. The pests sometimes squeeze into downspouts and are unable to escape.

Problems With Squirrels in Gutters

A squirrel living in a gutter creates hazards for your home and family. Squirrels clutter pipes and gutters with twigs, leaves, nuts, shells, and other natural materials, which can cause damage that is costly and time-consuming to fix.

Drainage Issues

The main problem with squirrel nests in the gutter is that they disrupt normal drainage. Squirrels in downspouts clog ducts, leaving water with nowhere to go. As a result, stormwater builds up and spills over roofs, soffits, and siding. That, in turn, leads to water damage over time.

Carcass Removal

When a squirrel is stuck in a gutter, the animal has a high chance of dying inside or damaging ducts as it struggles to get out. In addition to creating foul smells and attracting insects, dead squirrels can transmit diseases. Leave the dead carcass removal to trained wildlife experts.

Critter Control technicians have the proper equipment to remove gutter squirrels to keep you and your family safe.

Future Attic Infestation

Squirrels in gutters are already comfortable near homes and people, so they may be tempted to move indoors. When trying to enter your attic, the pests often rip up shingles, bend vents, and tear at the siding. Once inside, the damage continues with ripped insulation and accumulations of waste.

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Gutters

Keeping squirrels out of your gutters can prevent further damage to your home. There are techniques you can follow to resolve current squirrel problems and prevent future squirrel invasions, like the following:

Install Gutter Protections

Gutter guards are one of the best ways to prevent squirrels from accessing downspouts and gutters. Typical options include:

Foam inserts
Wire or mesh screens
PVC cover or cap
Drip edge
Roof and tree barriers

A professional should install gutter protection to avoid accidents and injuries. Even skilled do-it-yourself homeowners find hiring an expert is the right way for such an important project.

Exclusion Methods

Exclusion methods prevent squirrels from trying to reach your gutters in the first place. They make your home unattractive to squirrels and may include the following:

Cleaning your gutters regularly
Squirrel-proofing your bird feeders
Removing food sources
Trimming back tree branches

If you don’t enjoy cleaning gutters or regularly keeping up with exclusion methods, professionals can do it for you. You can then have confidence that they are implemented correctly based on your home’s unique needs.

Deterrents

Homeowners may try to use deterrents to keep squirrels out of their gutters. Some deterrents work better than others. However, deterrents are often a temporary solution, as squirrels can become used to them and less afraid over time. Deterrents may include:

Toxic and non-toxic chemicals
Sound or light machines
Predator urine
Fake owls in trees
Mothballs
Apple cider vinegar
Motion-activated sprinklers

Deterrents are not always effective and can have adverse consequences for you, the squirrel, or newborn squirrels living in your gutters. To avoid further problems, consider hiring an expert. They will know which deterrents work for the climate, region, squirrel type, and property.

Contact a Wildlife Control Expert

Squirrels in gutters often require the help of a wildlife control technician with appropriate training, licensing, and experience to safely and humanely remove them or prevent future activity.

When you call Critter Control, our technicians offer the following:

A complete and thorough inspection to locate signs and damages of squirrel activities
Safe and humane removal of existing squirrels according to local, state, and federal laws
Damage repairs caused by squirrel activity, such as cleaning gutters and sanitizing the area if necessary
Implementation of exclusion methods to prevent future squirrel visits

Wildlife control experts have the proper certifications, permits, training, and experience to resolve any squirrel-related problems quickly and efficiently.

Contact Critter Control for Squirrel Control

Avoid injury or further property damage by calling the professionals at Critter Control. Before you search “squirrel removal near me,” follow this link to discover a Critter Control office nearby. Here, you can also learn more about removing or preventing squirrels in gutters. Prevention can’t begin until all existing squirrels are removed from gutters and downspouts. Because squirrels can become hostile when threatened, our experts use special equipment for safe and humane removal.

If you suspect squirrel activity around your home, contact Critter Control today.

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