The attic is often an area where home owners have little reason to visit. For many, it is a small, empty place that is insulated to prevent heat from escaping. Unfortunately, the same warmth and coziness the attic helps maintain in the household below is what squirrels find so inviting. As winter sets in, squirrels are looking for a place that will provide them with shelter and storage for their food. They find their way into attics and walls where they can find warmer temperatures and safety from predators. Once squirrels access a home, the owners may hear scratching or rolling sounds. Squirrel removal by a professional animal removal company is the best solution for removing live animals from your home but you also need to take steps to prevent the squirrels from returning to the area they now consider to be their home as well.

These squirrel prevention tips will help you safeguard your home against these persistent intruders:

– Check for hanging tree branches that could give squirrels access to your home. Although there are different jumping capabilities among various species, the most common squirrel in the United States is the gray squirrel, which can jump, on average, about nine feet. Cut hanging tree branches back to at least ten feet away from your home.

– Remove bird feeders. At the very least, place bird feeders away from your home and trees. They love the same feed that the birds do and are both agile and clever when it comes to getting inside the feeders. Guards that are placed on the post and supposed squirrel-proof bird feeders are available, but most people find them to be less than 100% effective. Placing a bird feeder near your home is an open invitation that will often result in unwanted house guests.

– Repair holes and crevices in your home’s outer structure. Even small places in soffits, rooflines, and air conditioner lines that seem impenetrable to you can serve as a convenient access hole to a squirrel. They love to chew and will do so to wood, vinyl, or metal mesh screens allowing them to make even the smallest hole into one that is big enough to accommodate them. Before cold weather sets in, make sure there are no holes or crevices that will give squirrels access to your home.

– When a fireplace is not in use, place metal caps on the chimney. Sometimes squirrels gain access to the living space when they fall down the chimney.

Once squirrels have made their way into your home, professional squirrel removal provides a cost-effective, humane method of eliminating the immediate problem. Squirrels can cause damage to your home’s structure and electrical wiring while also causing disturbing noises and odors. They frequently tear down insulation for use as a nesting material and create hazardous conditions by chewing on wiring.

Squirrel prevention is an important part of the removal process. Getting squirrels out of your home now will prevent them from causing damage now and in the future. Taking some simple steps to prevent them from returning will ensure that the squirrels will not return and cause damage in the future as well. The best time to start thinking about keeping squirrels out of your home during cold weather is right now! Call Intrepid Wildlife Services at 914-293-7593 at any time 24/7 for fast removal of squirrels in your home.