Squirrel on Roof
Squirrels navigate their way through treetops seamlessly, so the pests have no problem climbing onto roofs or into soffits. Residents may also see the pests climbing downspouts, running along telephone wires, or jumping from nearby trees to gain access to roofs. Squirrels can jump a distance of six to eight feet.
From there, damaged soffits, loose shingles, and structural gaps provide an easy way for the animals to move into homes.
Squirrel on Roof Damage
Squirrels on your roof can damage it sometimes requiring expensive roof repair. Squirrels running across your roof can damage roof shingles. Gutters provide nesting materials which can lead to drainage problems. Once they have access to your roof, squirrels can find a way inside via vents, soffits, and eaves.
After moving into an attic, the rodents gnaw on electrical wiring and damage insulation or lead pipes. Over time, squirrel droppings stains ceilings and spreads unpleasant odors. A squirrel infestation also exposes residents to diseases and creates scurrying and squeaking noises.
How Do Squirrels on Roof Get into the Attic?
Squirrels only need a gap of 1.5 inches to gain entry through the roof. We find squirrel entry holes along fascia boards, on soffits, and through roof vents. When squirrels enter homes through the roof, sometimes they can get trapped or build nests in eaves. Once inside, squirrels can cause damage by chewing holes.
Squirrels in Eaves
The eaves are part of the roof that extends past the wall and are one of the more vulnerable places on your roof. Roof eaves have access points like fascia boards, soffits, and soffit vents. The roof return is where the exterior wall meets the roof under the eaves. It is one of the most accessible places for squirrels. They can easily climb onto the roof to find loose soffits.
Fascia Boards and Squirrels
Fascia boards are thin longboards that run along the lower outer edge of a roof, covering the entire roofline to help keep water out. In certain parts of the country, homes have construction gaps above the fascia for ventilation. Squirrels use gutters to access these gaps to squeeze into your attic. If the gap isn’t big enough, they can gnaw a big enough hole.
Squirrels in Soffits
What is the best way to keep squirrels from nesting in soffits? Plug the holes! Squirrels will chew holes in soffits and make their way inside for nesting. Before you can plug the holes, however, it is important to make sure all of the squirrels are out of the soffit. It is most effective to trap squirrels nesting in soffits using a baiting method. Critter Control professionals are expertly trained in getting squirrels out of soffits to keep them out of your home for good.
Squirrel in Roof Vents
Roof vents allow proper ventilation to address excess heat and moisture. Not only do they extend the life of your roof and reduce energy costs, but also they provide an access point for squirrels. Two of the most common squirrel entry points are ridge vents and gable vents.
How Critter Control Gets Rid of Squirrels on Roof
To reduce the chance of problems with squirrels on roofs, homeowners can modify their houses and yards to keep these pests away. Critter Control can prevent squirrels from gaining access to your roof and stop them from entering your attic.
Supplies and equipment to get rid of squirrels
| Supplies |
Tools & Equipment |
| Galvanized hardware cloth, 1/8 or 1/4-inch mesh |
Power-lever pole pruner |
| Galvanized roofing nails |
Aviation shears or tin snips |
| Drip edge flashing |
Extension ladder |
| Metal collars |
Flashlight |
| Plastic pipe |
Tape measure |
| Box vent cover |
Hammer |
| Chimney cap |
Flashlight |
Install metal collars on trees
Trim tree branches away from buildings
Seal fascia board with harware cloth or a drip edge under your first row of shingles and hangs over your fascia’s edge.
Install a sturdy chimney guard
Seal gable vents with hardware cloth
Cover ridge vents
Enclose box vents
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Prevention methods are not always a surefire way to guard against the pests. Hiring local Critter Control experts is always the safest and most effective way to remove squirrels in the soffits or on the roof.
Learn more about squirrel removal.
Get them out.
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Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
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Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
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We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
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