Squirrels are always on the move. If you think about it, you’ve probably never seen one standing still for more than just a few seconds. At the same time, squirrels are also notorious for nesting in the confined space of residential attics. Considering their incredibly active lifestyle, you might be wondering what it is about the attic that attracts so many squirrels to settle down.
Why Squirrels Choose the Attic
When you were on the hunt for your home, were there certain features that drew you to the particular property you settled in? You and just about every other homeowner probably put the most focus on finding a safe community with quiet neighbors and convenient access to nearby restaurants. Turns out, squirrels happen to have the exact same requirements when looking for a place of their own.
In fact, these rodents are commonly attracted to the attics of local homes because of the easy access they provide to food, safety, and shelter. Attics are also filled with plenty of materials to help squirrels survive through any season. Of course, they’re likely to bring in some outside twigs, sticks, and snacks, but squirrels will still take advantage of your attic insulation and use the material to create a comfortable nest.
How to Keep Squirrels Out
To stop squirrels from crawling into your attic, you’ll need to block each and every point of entry. Because attics are filled with gaps, cracks, and other openings, there are almost always a handful of potential entry points on the roof and around the upper area of your home. Some of the most common places to check include:
- Soffits
- Roof vents
- Gutters
- Shingles
After you’ve found the places that squirrels and other animals are likely to use for entry, seal each opening with high-grade materials. To make sure your system is in order, be consistent with checking the holes you’ve sealed. Without setting up a system to check the barriers every few weeks or bi-monthly, you could end up backtracking in your pest control progress.
Protect Your Entire Property
Even if you find a way to successfully keep squirrels out of your attic, there could be plenty of other vulnerable parts of your home. Stop squirrels and other problem wildlife from choosing your property by partnering with the animal experts at Critter Control® of Tampa. Our list of Critter Safe® services were made to help keep homes like yours free from wandering squirrels. To get started on your squirrel prevention strategy with a complimentary inspection of your attic, call us today at 813-948-0870.
