Squirrels may seem cute in the park, but when they invade your attic, they quickly become a destructive nuisance. Their impressive climbing skills and determination make them a formidable pest to keep out. Here’s how squirrels get into attics and what you can do to keep them out.
How Squirrels End Up in Attics
Squirrels are natural acrobats with a knack for climbing and jumping. They can leap from trees, fences, or utility lines straight onto your roof. Once there, they’ll look for entry points like loose shingles, gaps in vents, or even tiny holes in soffits or eaves.
These resourceful rodents can gnaw through wood, siding, and even insulation to make their way inside. Once they’ve settled in, squirrels will build nests using attic insulation, chew through wires, and cause extensive damage. Left unchecked, you could end up with an entire family of squirrels living rent-free in your home.
Tips to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Attic
Trim Trees and Branches
Since squirrels often access roofs by jumping from nearby trees, keep branches trimmed at least 10 feet away from your house. This reduces their launching points and makes it harder for them to reach your roof.
Inspect and Seal Entry Points
Regularly inspect your home’s exterior for any cracks, holes, or loose shingles that squirrels could use as an entryway. Pay special attention to:
Test for Squirrels
If you suspect squirrels are already inside your attic, try this simple test:
If the newspaper has been moved or shredded, you likely have a squirrel problem. If it’s undisturbed, the squirrels may still be outside—but it’s best to seal the hole just in case.
By staying vigilant and following these prevention tips, you can keep squirrels out of your attic and avoid costly repairs. A little maintenance goes a long way in protecting your home from these persistent and crafty critters.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
