Attic Vents & Squirrels

Vents are always a high priority when inspecting for squirrels in the attic.

That’s because attic vents can provide a good opportunity to access an attic and find great shelter.

There are three common types of roof vents in many of our homes: ridge vents, gable vents, and louver/pod vents.

Ridge vents are the most modern of design and are usually not a huge problem when it comes to gray squirrels.

Bats and flying squirrels are the most common species using these vents.

While we won’t cover ridge vents too much in this post, you can always use the search function to find some posts on ridge vents specifically.

Gable vents and pod/louver vents, however, are frequent targets of gray squirrels. 

In the Akron, Canton, Kent area with its stock of older homes, such vents are very common.

Gable vents are found on the sides of the house at the peak.  They can be made of wood, metal or plastic.

Pod/Louver vents are basically caps over holes cut in the roof and are usually installed on the side of the roof not facing the street.  These vents are usually made of a soft metal like aluminum.

Vents are always suspected with squirrel problems because, once circumvented, they lead straight into the attic.

Roof Vent Squirrel Example | Video

To show a typical roof vent squirrel problem, Ryan made this video recently.

The trouble at this house is that squirrels first got into the attic by chewing through the gable vent.  

Someone (not us) tried to stop the squirrels by placing  steel screening over the gable vents.

It stopped the squirrels from getting in at that location.

But, the squirrels soon found the louver/pod vents on the roof and got in there.

This is how Ryan got them out.

Squirrel Removal & Repair

Removing attic squirrels that are using roof vents requires setting up traps around the vent.

Blocking off the vent and attaching a one-way door trap to it catches squirrels coming out of the vent.

Baited, squirrel-sized live trap catch squirrels that come to this vent looking to get in after they find their way blocked.

After the squirrels are removed the damaged vents can be replaced.

Screening should also be added to prevent future problems.

Squirrel Removel for Akron, Canton, Kent

If squirrels have found your vents and are using them to get into your attic here in our area, give Frontline Animal Removal a call.

We have the experience and equipment to efficiently get the squirrels out of your attic, fix your vents, and ensure no new ones get back in.