How Many Feet Do Trees on Your Roof Have?
The first question that arises when you see squirrels on your roof is how many feet do trees on your roof have? The answer varies from six to eight feet. Trees with more than six feet of height are ideal for squirrels, but anything taller than that is a prime candidate for squirrel problems. Here are some tips to protect your roof from flying squirrels. Read on to discover the solutions to your squirrel problem.
6 to 8 feet
To prevent tree squirrel infestation, keep trees at least six to eight feet from the roof. If you can’t prevent squirrels from climbing, remove them from your roof. A squirrel’s leap can extend up to 8 feet, so you’ll need to take action to prevent them from entering your home. If you notice the squirrels making nests in your roof, consider trimming branches. In addition, you should check your roof regularly for gnaw marks.
To discourage squirrels from climbing your roof, consider installing a metal collar that is two feet wide and six to eight inches in height. Attach the collar to the tree with wires or springs, allowing room for the trunk to grow. Wires are also another way to deter squirrels from climbing the fence. These collars will keep squirrels from climbing and will also help prevent damage to your roof. Some homeowners have seen success with strobe lights.
Baffles
The first question you might be asking yourself is how to install a squirrel baffle. If you are not familiar with the task, you can build your own squirrel baffles with inexpensive materials. To start, you will need a round metal pipe or duct cap and a few clamps. The baffle must be installed at least 5 feet above the tree’s trunk. This height is critical, because squirrels can jump from five to six feet in the air.
To prevent squirrels from climbing on top of bird feeders, place a squirrel baffle on the poles at six to eight feet. If you can’t reach the top of the pole, use a toy Slinky. When the toy touches the ground, cut it to fit over the baffle. The toy Slinky works perfectly as a squirrel baffle. Just make sure the Slinky does not go below the baffle.
Pruning
The best solution to the problem of roof squirrels is exclusion. Installing aluminum flashing around roof junctions and siding is a good way to keep out squirrels. Chimney caps also help to keep squirrels from nesting in chimney flues. While live trapping is the best option, pruning tree limbs can prevent squirrels from accessing roof areas. Putting a wire mesh around tree trunks will discourage squirrels from using a tree limb as a path.
If you have a tree on your roof, it is important to keep it at a safe distance from the roof line. A squirrel can jump up to 10 feet, so you need to make sure your roof is at least 6 to 10 feet away. If you can’t get rid of squirrels from your roof, consider calling an arborist to trim your trees. Remember, a little bit of trimming goes a long way!
Squirrel guards
Squirrels can jump from trees to your roof, so you need to install a squirrel guard on your tree at least five feet above the ground. The guard prevents them from climbing the roof by protecting the gutters. You can use a metal sheet attached to the tree trunk at least six feet above ground. These guards are also effective at keeping raccoons and other pests out of your attic.
Sheet metal is the best option for protecting your roof from squirrels and rats. Sheet metal is smooth and makes climbing difficult for the animals. Make sure you buy a sheet metal sheet that is at least eighteen to twenty-four inches wide. Be sure to allow a 2-inch overlap between each side. Once you buy the sheet metal, run wire through the openings on both sides and bend it outward to secure the guard. You can also use a metal cone to protect the nest. The metal cone should be about eighteen inches wide and mounted all the way around the tree. Be sure to place it at least three feet away from the nest area.
Keeping them off your roof
A few methods for keeping squirrels off your roof include installing a deterrent, using steel wool to cover small holes, and using bird repellent gel or ultrasonic repellent. These methods may help keep squirrels away from your house or roof, but they do not eliminate them completely. To discourage the squirrels from coming near your home, make sure to use non-toxic foods. Squirrels tend to have very short digestive tracts, so food containing poisonous chemicals can be harmful.
Installing squirrel guards on the poles that are closest to your roof is an effective way of preventing them from reaching your roof. These guards should be placed at least five feet above ground level to discourage the squirrels from climbing up your roof. Keeping the roof free of squirrels is very important to keep your home safe. Squirrels enter your house through many different methods, including roof flooring, chimneys, and attics.
Prevention
Squirrels love to climb. Hence, trimming tree branches can prevent them from climbing the roof. Another effective squirrel prevention method is to use predator guards around electric poles. These guards can prevent squirrels from accessing your roof and will keep the tree at a safe distance. However, it is imperative to remove bird nests after the first hard freeze. These critters can chew through electrical cables and wires.
If you’d like to keep the squirrels from gaining access to your roof, it is important to cut back tree branches to a height that is not accessible to them. The best height for a tree branch is eight to nine inches (20-23 centimeters). Branches that reach out toward neighboring trees must be at least eight feet above the ground. If possible, plant seedless trees. These will reduce the amount of food that squirrels consume.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
