Who doesn’t love a squirrel? They’re cute with big eyes and a fluffy tail. You’d give them a hug if they weren’t full of disease and the fact they’d bite your finger off without a second thought!
Nevertheless, squirrels are cool so long as they know their place – and that’s up a tree, storing nuts – not creating mayhem in your attic.
The problem of squatting squirrels is most significant at this time of year.
During fall and early winter, squirrels are trying to find somewhere warm and cozy to protect them from the elements.
And if they can find a home under your roof, they’ll happily take it.
Of course, they won’t announce their arrival at the front door.
In most cases, a squirrel will use a tree branch that overhangs your home as the first step in their strategy to find a warm and secure place.
Then, they’ll make a secretive entry through the chimney, a vent or soffit (the horizontal material covering the underside of a roof overhang. It connects the fascia board to the home’s exterior wall.)
Once a squirrel has successfully broken in, the chaos begins.
Usually, they’ll rip into your roof insulation to create their nest. Their attention soon turns to electrical wiring and the wooden structure of the roof itself. (And let’s not mention the droppings and urine.)
Here are six ways to stop a squirrel becoming your new neighbor:
Trim branches – Squirrels use the limb of a tree as a bridge onto your roof or to access the home through an upper-story window. Make sure tree branches are at least 8 feet from the nearest exterior wall.
Seal entry points: Check for any gaps or holes in your roof, attic and eaves. Squirrels squeeze through the smallest openings and can chew through many materials, including wood. All vents should have secure metal screens or caps. If you find any openings, seal them with heavy-gauge, galvanized mesh or metal flashing.
Fix rotting boards – Repair any damaged fascia boards, soffits or roofing shingles immediately, as deteriorating materials are easy for squirrels to chew through.
Secure garbage cans – Squirrels love a free lunch, and you don’t want your home to be seen as a food source. Animal-proof lids on garbage cans are advisable. Bird feeders will attract squirrels, too. Think twice about using them if you have a squirrel problem.
Tidy your garden – By denying a squirrel material to build their nest, you’re encouraging them to move elsewhere for the winter. So clear away piles of wood, debris and excessive leaf litter near your home’s foundation, as these provide shelter.
Odor strategy – Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil, cayenne pepper or apple cider vinegar in areas where you think a squirrel may be hiding out. Squirrels dislike strong smells. Unfortunately, this is not a set-and-forget strategy. Reapplication is required regularly, especially after rain.