Squirrel Problem Returns

We pride ourselves in solving problems.

Yet, sometimes the problem comes back. Uh-oh.

That was the case recently when squirrels started going through a vent on a house and getting into an attic.

Just a few weeks prior to this, Ryan had been out and addressed a squirrel problem at a dormer. After inspecting, he found out where the squirrels were getting in. He set up traps and removed squirrels. He then repaired and sealed the area. It seemed as everything was good.

But after a few weeks, squirrels had apparently gotten into the attic again. What happened?

Ryan went back out and looked around and found there was a roof vent with a hole in it now. And, this is not a fun roof to be on.

This new issue can certainly be dealt with. But, the underlying question here is why is this attic so appealing to the squirrels?

A big part of the answer is the trees near the house.

Today we’re going to again state that keeping trees trimmed back from houses reduces the amount of squirrel activity on a given roof. Lessening the amount of squirrel traffic on a roof significantly reduces the chances of squirrels gaining entrance into the house.

Tree trimming won’t solve everything but it is an important step in squirrel prevention.

Trees Provide Squirrel Highway

In this video, Ryan discusses this job and shows the trees that are adding to the squirrel problems here.

Squirrels like a good spot and they know what is going on in their environments. Though some were removed and the easy way thwarted, others finding a way in to this newly available space was not difficult. And it didn’t take too long before they were back.

The trees play a big role in this re-occurrence. Reduced squirrel traffic on this roof would have decreased the probability of something like this happening.

Getting trees trimmed back from the house is an important preventative step in lowering the chances of a squirrel intrusion.

This point is also made in the following recent video. It shows a house with squirrel chewing AND easy, convenient access for the squirrels because of untrimmed trees.

An Ounce of Prevention

Keeping trees trimmed back from roofs is a recurring idea here in our blog.

Over ten years ago the following appeared:

Q: What is the simplest form of squirrel prevention?

A: Tree trimming

Often, an animal has the opportunity to move into a home due to lack of proper tree trimming.

The easier it is for squirrels to get on your roof, the more time they spend there. Consequently, the more time they spend on your roof, the more likely they are to start chewing their way in.

Lessen the ease with which squirrels can access your roof (trim those trees!), and the likelihood of a squirrel problem diminishes.

Trees and shrubs should be cut back away from the roof a minimum of ten feet. Squirrels are not comfortable with long leaps. It is much easier to trim a tree and prevent a squirrel infestation than to have to trap the animals and repair the damage caused by the critters.

It was true then and it’s true now. Tree trimming is important.