Gutter Guard Awareness & Squirrels

Gutter guards are a homeowner’s best friend when it comes to keeping leaves and debris out of your gutters. However, there’s one unexpected visitor who also appreciates the protection gutter guards offer – squirrels.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how squirrels can exploit the cover provided by gutter guards to gain access to your home and what you can do to prevent it.

Start by viewing this video Ryan recently made at a home where squirrels got behind the gutter guard.

A Hidden Squirrel Hole

Squirrels are agile and persistent creatures, and when they discover an opportunity, they won’t hesitate to take advantage of it. Gutter guards can inadvertently create a cozy shelter for them, and once they find their way behind these guards, they can wreak havoc on your home.

As Ryan showed in the video, there was a significant gap left around that downspout elbow.  This had a role in the squirrels using this spot.  If you click here, you can see another example in a video of ours from a couple of years ago.

Squirrels can breach the defenses of your gutter guard system in the following ways:

1. Gaps and Openings: Over time, gutter guards may develop gaps or openings due to wear and tear, weathering, or poor installation. These openings can be enticing for squirrels looking for a safe and dry place to nest.

2. Chewable Material: Squirrels have strong teeth that allow them to chew through various materials. If the gutter guard is made of a material that squirrels can gnaw through, they will take advantage of it.  A determined, bad-luck squirrel is hard to stop.

3. Fascia Access: Once behind the gutter guard, squirrels often target the fascia board. They will chew through the fascia, creating an entry point into your home’s attic or walls.

Squirrels gaining access to your home through the fascia can lead to several problems:

• Structural Damage: Chewing through fascia boards can compromise the structural integrity of your home.
• Nesting and Infestation: Squirrels will use your attic or wall space as a nesting site, potentially leading to a full-blown infestation.
• Property Damage: Squirrels can damage insulation, electrical wiring, and stored belongings.

Protecting your home from squirrel intrusion involves a few key steps:

1. Regular Inspection: Regularly inspect your gutter guard system for any gaps, openings, or signs of wear. Address any issues promptly.

2. Choose the Right Material: When installing or replacing gutter guards, opt for materials that are squirrel-resistant, such as steel (best) or aluminum.

3. Secure Fascia Boards: Reinforce fascia boards with metal flashing or wire mesh to make them less appealing for squirrels to chew on.

4. Professional Assistance: If you suspect squirrel activity or damage, seek professional assistance to safely remove them and repair any structural damage.

5. Trim Overhanging Branches: Squirrels often gain access to roofs and gutters via overhanging branches. Trim these branches to minimize their access points.

Remove the Squirrels | Fix the Hole

Once squirrels using the cover of the gutter guard are exposed, we highly recommend they be removed.

Resident squirrel problems are rarely solved by simply taking away their usual access.  In this case, just eliminating the gap by the elbow would not make the squirrels leave this house.  The squirrels need removed as you saw in the one part of the video.  Then the fascia needs repaired.  And then, finally, the gutter guard needs re-installed without any gaps.

In the Akron-Canton-Kent Ohio Area, call Frontline Animal Removal or get ahold of us through out contact page.

As you saw in the video and find in other examples on our website, Frontline Animal Removal has the ability to remove the squirrels and makes a repair.

While gutter guards are excellent for keeping leaves out, they can inadvertently attract squirrels if not properly maintained. Regular inspection, proper materials, and reinforcing vulnerable areas are key to preventing squirrel intrusion.  Frontline Animal Removal can help you with all of these tasks. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy the benefits of a clean gutter system without inviting unwanted guests into your home.