Squirrels in My Attic – Why They Moved In and How to Get Them Out
You wake up one morning to strange scratching noises overhead. Maybe it sounds like tiny feet running laps above your bedroom, or like someone is rolling marbles across the ceiling. You rub your eyes, wonder if you’re losing your mind, and then it hits you: I’ve got squirrels in my attic.
If you’re hearing noises overhead, it’s likely that you have squirrels in my attic, and you need to act quickly.
You are not alone. Squirrels are one of the most common wildlife invaders in Florida homes, and once they decide your attic is their new condo, they can be surprisingly hard to evict. In this blog, we are going to dive into why squirrels love attics so much, the problems they cause, and how professional wildlife removal can help get them out safely. We will also share some funny truths about squirrel behavior that might make you laugh—at least until you remember they are currently partying in your roof.
Understanding the reasons behind why squirrels in my attic choose your home is essential for effective removal.
Many homeowners find themselves dealing with squirrels in my attic, which can lead to various issues.
Why Do Squirrels Love Attics?
Understanding the Challenges of Having Squirrels in My Attic
Squirrels are survival experts. In the wild, they live in tree cavities or build leafy nests called dreys. But in Florida, attics are like squirrel luxury resorts. Why bother with a drafty tree hole when your attic offers:
The comfort of your attic is a perfect attraction for squirrels in my attic.
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Free shelter from rain, wind, and predators.
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Warmth during cooler months.
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Plenty of materials to shred for nesting (insulation is basically squirrel bedding).
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Safe space for raising babies without hawks, owls, or snakes getting in the way.
When you discover that you have squirrels in my attic, it’s time to consider professional help.
To a squirrel, your attic is prime real estate. The only problem is that they never pay rent, and their idea of home improvement is chewing holes in everything.
How Do Squirrels Get Into Your Attic?
You might think your house is sealed tight, but squirrels only need a small gap to squeeze in. Some of their favorite entry points include:
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Roof returns – where shingles meet soffits, leaving just enough space for a determined squirrel.
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AC chases – gaps around utility lines leading right inside your attic
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Vents – attic vents, ridge vents, and gable vents are easy targets for chewing.
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Soffit junctions – weak spots where soffits meet rooflines.
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Chimneys – like an elevator straight into your attic.
Once inside, they rarely come alone. A female squirrel looking for a nesting spot will bring her babies, and before you know it, you have a whole family making themselves at home.
What Problems Do Squirrels Cause in Attics?
Many don’t realize that having squirrels in my attic can lead to significant problems.
Some homeowners shrug and think, “It’s just a squirrel, how bad can it be?” Here’s the truth: squirrels can cause serious and costly problems, including:
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Chewed wiring – Their teeth never stop growing, so squirrels gnaw constantly. Wires are a favorite target, and chewed wires can spark house fires.
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Damaged insulation – They rip insulation apart for nesting, leaving your home less energy efficient.
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Urine and feces buildup – Not only does this smell terrible, but it can also soak into wood and drywall.
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Noisy mornings and nights – Squirrels are active during the day, and they are not exactly quiet roommates.
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Health concerns – While squirrels are not aggressive toward people, their droppings can carry parasites and bacteria.
So yes, having squirrels in your attic is a lot worse than having a noisy neighbor. At least neighbors don’t chew through your electrical system.
Why DIY Squirrel Removal Rarely Works
After pinpointing the signs of squirrels in my attic, taking action is crucial.
Plenty of homeowners have tried to handle squirrel problems on their own. Maybe you’ve thought about putting out traps or blocking the entry hole. Unfortunately, DIY attempts often backfire. Here’s why:
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Trapping the wrong way can separate a mother from her babies, leaving the young squirrels to die in your attic.
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Blocking the entry hole too soon can trap squirrels inside, forcing them to chew new exits.
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Squirrels are persistent. If they’ve chosen your attic, they will try over and over to get back in.
That’s why professional squirrel removal is the best solution. Our wildlife removal experts know how to handle the problem humanely and permanently.
The Affordable Wildlife Removal Process
At Affordable Wildlife Removal, we have dealt with more squirrels than we can count. Our process is designed to be safe for both the animals and your home. Here’s how it works:
For those with squirrels in my attic, our comprehensive approach ensures a thorough solution.
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Inspection – We locate every entry point and look for signs of damage inside the attic.
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Removal – We use humane traps and exclusion techniques to get the squirrels out. No poisons, no shortcuts.
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Baby check – During nesting season, we make sure no babies are left behind.
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Seal-up work – Every gap and hole gets sealed with squirrel-proof materials.
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Clean-up – We can replace soiled insulation and sanitize the attic if needed.
The goal is not just to get the squirrels out, but to keep them out for good.
Funny Truths About Squirrels in Attics
Let’s be honest: squirrels in the attic can be a headache, but they are also ridiculously funny creatures. Here are a few squirrel “truths” you might appreciate if you’ve ever heard them in your attic:
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They sound ten times bigger than they are. One squirrel running overhead can sound like a full-blown stampede.
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They treat your attic insulation like a giant pillow factory. Why buy bedding when they can shred yours?
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They will chew through wood, shingles, and even metal if it stands between them and their new hideout.
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If you hear what sounds like marbles rolling across your ceiling, that is probably just a squirrel dropping acorns. Yes, they actually store food up there.
Funny as it is to imagine, the comedy ends when you see the repair bills.
Preventing Future Squirrel Problems
To prevent future issues, it’s important to address the fact that squirrels in my attic can return.
Once you’ve had squirrels in your attic, you will want to make sure they never come back. Here are a few prevention tips:
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Trim tree branches away from your roof.
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Inspect your attic vents for chew marks or weak screens.
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Check soffits and roof edges for gaps.
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Schedule annual inspections with a wildlife removal company to catch issues early.
Remember, squirrels are opportunists. If you leave an opening, they will find it.
Final Thoughts – Don’t Let Squirrels Run the Show
Hearing squirrels in your attic can be frustrating, funny, and stressful all at once. They may seem harmless, but left unchecked, they can cause thousands of dollars in damage. The good news is that you don’t have to handle the problem alone.
Awareness about the potential for squirrels in my attic can save you future headaches.
Affordable Wildlife Removal is veteran owned and operated, and we specialize in keeping squirrels, rats, raccoons, bats, and other nuisance wildlife out of Florida homes. If you have squirrels in your attic, give us a call before they throw a housewarming party you did not approve.
Affordable Wildlife Removal
Veteran Owned and Operated
AWRemoval.com