Squirrels in The Attic: How to Prevent Furry Intruders

That scratching sound above your ceiling isn’t your imagination. Squirrels in the attic are one of the most common wildlife problems homeowners face, especially here in The Woodlands and greater Houston area. We’ve dealt with hundreds of these situations over our 15 years in the wildlife removal business, and we’re here to help you understand what you’re dealing with.

Signs You Have a Squirrel Problem

Squirrels aren’t exactly subtle roommates. Here’s how to know if they’ve moved in:

• Noises in attic – Scratching, scampering, or running sounds, typically most active at dawn and dusk
• Strange thumping or rolling sounds (that’s nuts being stored)
• Squirrel droppings scattered in attic spaces
• Damaged insulation that looks pulled apart or flattened
• Chewed wood, especially around entry points
• Distinctive musky odor

A single squirrel can be bad enough, but a mother with babies? That’s a whole different ballgame.

Why Squirrels Choose Your Attic

Squirrels aren’t trying to ruin your day, they’re just following their instincts. They see your warm, dry attic as the perfect place to:

1. Escape predators
2. Build nests for raising young
3. Store food for winter months
4. Stay protected from harsh weather

Your home provides everything they need to survive, which is why they’re so persistent about getting in. And once they find a good spot, they’ll tell their friends. Not good.

Dangers of Attic Squirrels

A squirrel infestation might seem like just a noisy annoyance, but these rodents can cause serious problems:

Property Damage

Squirrels have teeth that never stop growing, so they MUST chew constantly. This means:

• Insulation damage that increases energy bills (by 10-20% in some cases)
• Chewing wires in attic that creates fire hazards
• Gnawed structural wood that weakens your home
• Destroyed family heirlooms or stored items
• Torn ductwork that reduces HVAC efficiency

Health Risks

Beyond property damage, squirrels bring:

• Parasites like fleas and ticks
• Squirrel droppings that can contain harmful bacteria
• Potential disease transmission
• Allergens that trigger respiratory issues

A study by the Centers for Disease Control shows that rodents (squirrels are in the rodent family) can spread over 35 diseases to humans. Not something you want hanging out above your bedroom.

DIY vs. Professional Squirrel Removal

When facing a wildlife in attic situation, many homeowners try the DIY route first. Let’s be honest about the pros and cons:

DIY Approach

Pros:

• Initially cheaper (about $30-150 for basic supplies)
• Can be attempted immediately
• Satisfaction of solving it yourself

Cons:

• Often ineffective against determined squirrels
• Risk of getting bitten if handling animals
• No guarantee all entry points will be found
• Potential to orphan baby squirrels
• Time-consuming trial and error process

Professional Wildlife Control

Pros:

• Complete solution that addresses all aspects
• Humane squirrel removal techniques
• Identification of ALL entry points
• Warranty protection
• Proper sanitation after removal
• Knowledge of local squirrel behavior patterns

Cons:

• Higher initial investment (typically $300-1000 depending on complexity)
• Scheduling required

In our experience, DIY methods work about 30% of the time for simple cases, but nearly always fail for established infestations or when baby squirrels are present.

7 Steps to Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Attic

If you’re dealing with squirrels in attic problems, here’s our proven approach:

1. Identify Entry Points

Squirrels typically enter through:

• Damaged roof vents
• Gaps in soffits
• Loose fascia boards
• Spaces around pipes or cables
• Damaged roof edges

The entry hole might be surprisingly small – squirrels can squeeze through openings as small as 1.5 inches in diameter.

2. Set Up a One-Way Door or Live Trap

For humane squirrel removal, use:

• One-way doors that allow exit but not re-entry
• Squirrel traps baited with peanut butter or nuts

Check traps frequently to prevent unnecessary stress to captured animals.

3. Remove All Squirrels

Make sure ALL squirrels are out before sealing anything. This might take 3-7 days of monitoring.

4. Seal Entry Points

Use heavy-gauge hardware cloth, metal flashing, or commercial-grade sealants to close all entry points. This squirrel prevention step is crucial.

5. Clean and Sanitize

Remove:

• Nesting materials
• Squirrel droppings
• Contaminated insulation

This prevents odors that might attract new squirrels and eliminates health hazards.

6. Repair Damage

Fix any:

• Damaged wiring
• Insulation damage
• Structural issues

7. Implement Preventative Measures

• Trim tree branches at least 8-10 feet from your roof
• Install squirrel guards on downspouts and pipes
• Consider metal flashing around roof edges

We’ve found that skipping any of these steps usually results in the squirrels returning within weeks. The complete approach is always most effective for long-term results.

When to Call Professional Wildlife Removal

Some situations definitely call for professional squirrel removal services:

• You hear baby squirrels in the attic (removing the mother could orphan them)
• Multiple failed DIY attempts
• Large-scale insulation damage
• Evidence of chewing wires in attic
• Squirrels have been present for weeks or months
• You’re uncomfortable handling wildlife
• You want guaranteed results with warranty protection

Professional wildlife control experts have specialized equipment, training, and experience to handle even the most stubborn infestations. Most importantly, they know how to remove squirrels without creating orphaned babies or causing unnecessary suffering.

Prevention Tips to Keep Squirrels Out

After you’ve dealt with one squirrel infestation, you definitely don’t want another. Try these prevention strategies:

• Schedule regular roof inspections (spring and fall are ideal)
• Install mesh guards over vents and chimney openings
• Maintain your roof and fix small problems before they become squirrel highways
• Keep trees trimmed away from your house (minimum 8-10 feet clearance)
• Store bird seed in sealed metal containers
• Consider installing motion-activated sprinklers near likely climbing spots

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of squirrel removal. Trust us on this one.

Cost of Squirrel Removal

What can you expect to pay for professional help? It varies based on:

• Size of infestation
• Number of entry points
• Amount of damage needing repair
• Location of your home
• Warranty options you choose

For a typical home in The Woodlands area, professional squirrel removal costs between $300-1000, with additional charges for extensive repairs or attic pest control cleanup. Most companies offer free inspections and estimates.

For more detailed pricing information, check out our article on the cost of removing animals from the attic.

Common Questions About Squirrels in Attics

How long do squirrels live in attics?

Squirrels have a lifespan of 6-12 years in the wild. Once they find a cozy attic, they’ll stay indefinitely if not removed.

Is it one squirrel or many?

A single squirrel makes scampering noises. Multiple squirrels create louder noises with distinct chattering sounds. Female squirrels might have 4-6 babies twice yearly.

Will squirrels leave on their own?

Probably not. Once they’ve established a nest, particularly if babies are present, squirrels consider your attic their home and won’t leave voluntarily.

Can I use poison?

We strongly advise against poison for several reasons:

• It’s inhumane and causes suffering
• Poisoned squirrels might die in inaccessible areas, creating odor problems
• Secondary poisoning can harm pets or other wildlife
• It’s often illegal depending on local regulations

What about mothballs or ultrasonic repellers?

Our experience shows these methods are largely ineffective. Squirrels quickly become accustomed to unusual sounds or smells when motivated to stay in their chosen habitat.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a squirrel in the attic situation requires patience and a systematic approach. While DIY methods might work for minor problems, established infestations usually need professional intervention for complete resolution.

If you’re in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, or anywhere in the greater Houston area and dealing with attic squirrels, our team at Woodlands Wildlife Elimination specializes in humane squirrel removal with a satisfaction guarantee. We’ve handled thousands of wildlife cases and can help restore peace to your home.

Remember, the sooner you address a squirrel problem, the less damage they’ll cause. That scratching above your head isn’t going to stop on its own!