How to Know If You Have a Squirrel in Your Attic 
If you have a squirrel infestation, you should do something about it. First, find out if there are any signs of a squirrel infestation. If you have noticed small holes and chew marks in the ceiling, you should see if there is a nest in the attic. If so, you should immediately start squirrel removal. Otherwise, you’ll just have to deal with the mess.
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Identifying a squirrel infestation
If you’re experiencing an attic squirrel infestation, you’ll want to take a few precautions. First of all, squirrels are nocturnal creatures and most of the noises they make are during the evening. Also, a nest can be a sign of an infestation if the mother squirrel is nursing her young in the attic. Here’s how to identify a squirrel infestation in your attic and prevent it from becoming a larger problem.
One of the easiest ways to identify a squirrel infestation is to hear the animals’ scurrying and scratching. This is most likely to occur in the morning or evening. You’ll also notice a putrid smell in your attic and possibly other areas. You can also check for teeth marks. Squirrel droppings are very harmful and can spread bacteria and lead to diseases.
Identifying signs of a squirrel infestation
If you are unsure if there are squirrels in your attic, consider hiring a professional to inspect the area. Squirrels are very active, and they can cause damage to your attic and roof. You can identify squirrel activity by looking for holes in your attic, which are bigger than normal. When you hear the squirrels making noise, it is a good sign of an infestation.
A squirrel’s nest is often built inside your insulation. The presence of a squirrel in your attic indicates that there are nesting squirrels inside. You may also notice missing woodchips and insulation in the attic, as well as gnawing marks on wood and furniture. Moreover, you may also notice a foul odor in your attic. If you find any of these signs, you should take action immediately. Squirrels are likely to have babies inside your attic.
Identifying damage caused by a squirrel infestation
You may hear strange noises coming from your attic. Chances are, there are squirrels living there. They also leave woodchips and insulation in your attic. If you notice missing woodchips or insulation, you may have an infestation. Other signs of an infestation include damage to your roofline or eaves, or even damage to flower gardens. You may also notice urine or droppings, or even dead squirrels.
While most homeowners may never notice the signs of a squirrel infestation, these creatures can certainly be a nuisance. Squirrels are capable of causing extensive damage to the attic and home. When they nest in the attic, they chew the insulation and electrical wires, as well as create holes and slits that other squirrels can use to enter the home. If you have not yet noticed any damage from squirrels, now is the time to address the issue.
Getting rid of a squirrel infestation
In order to eradicate a squirrel infestation in your attic, you must block any entry points. If possible, hire a professional to do this job. Besides sealing the attic, you can place ammonia to scare away squirrels. Put it near the nest so that the smell will deter them. This method should be used only once and you should never leave the ammonia alone in the attic.
If you can’t get rid of a squirrel infestation, you can put up loud sounds or use radios to scare them away. But remember, squirrels do not like loud sounds and can be scared away by bright lights and noises. If you can’t put up loud noises, then you can put up bright lights in the attic. This will scare them away and you can get rid of the infestation for good.
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.
