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Squirrel Scramble: Preventing Attic Invasions in Portland

October 16, 2024/Gabe Seymour/No Comments

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As the leaves change and fall in Portland, squirrels are busily preparing for the colder months. While they usually stick to trees, your attic can become an attractive alternative when the weather turns. Here’s how to prevent these furry intruders from taking up residence in your home.

Why Squirrels Invade Attics in the Fall:

Squirrels are excellent climbers and can easily access your roof via trees, power lines, gutter downspouts, or even straight up walls. As they gather food and prepare for winter, attics offer a warm, dry space that’s ideal for nesting.

Attic insulation provides an ideal warn environment for squirrels and other rodents to dwell in. Sometimes squirrels can just walk right into attic spaces but other times they will chew their way in.

Common Entry Points for Squirrels:

Roof vents and chimneys: Squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps in roof vents or chimneys. Remember: squirrels can chew through any type of wood or plastic material so roof vents can often get chewed through if they aren’t made out of metal.

Gaps in the roofline: Any openings along the roofline, such as those around eaves, soffits, or fascia, are potential entry points. Gutters are a very common way that squirrels enter homes around the Portland area.

Overhanging branches: Trees that are too close to your home provide a convenient bridge for squirrels to reach your roof.

Signs of Squirrel Activity in Your Attic:

Scratching or scampering sounds are the biggest way that people realize that they have squirrels in their attic. Squirrels are active during the day, so you might hear them moving around in your attic. Rats and mice tend to be more active at night, so that is a helpful way to determine if what you’re dealing with is squirrels or other rodents.

Nesting materials: Look for shredded insulation, leaves, or twigs that squirrels might use to build nests.

Droppings: Squirrel droppings are small and rounded, similar to rat droppings but slightly larger.

Preventive Measures:

Trim trees: Keep tree branches at least 10 feet away from your home to prevent squirrels from easily accessing your roof.

Seal entry points: Inspect your roof and attic for gaps, and seal them with sturdy materials like hardware cloth or metal flashing. Note: be very careful that you do not seal a squirrel into your attic. Trapped squirrels can chew through interior walls, damage plumbing/electrical, and make a lot of noise.

Install chimney caps: A secure chimney cap can prevent squirrels from entering your home through the chimney.

Conclusion & Call to Action: Don’t let squirrels turn your attic into their winter nest.

If you suspect a squirrel invasion or want to squirrel-proof your home, call Pest Patrol at 503-985-6523. Our team can help you protect your attic and keep your home safe.

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