Holes: Squirrel Damage
We are often called to inspect a residence when homeowners suspect they have squirrels in their attics or walls. They have either heard noises or have seen squirrels on their roof too often.
A squirrel control inspection involves looking for signs of squirrels; specifically trying to identify
- Where they enter/exit the home
- What kinds of damage the squirrels have done
- How the damage can be repaired after squirrel removal
- Prevention steps to be taken (like tree trimming)
Once these important steps have been taken, a comprehensive plan for the removal of squirrels and prevention of future problems can be put in place.
By way of example, please consider the following:
Sometimes the squirrels make inspection very easy. Here is a squirrel looking out from a gable vent. In this case there was a window behind the screen and a nest between the vent and window. The squirrel was starting to chew the widow sill.
Often during an inspection we find attempts put in place by someone else to keep squirrels out. Here we found some chicken wire over a squirrel-chewed hole. The squirrels were still present. We believe that squirrel removal prior to an exclusion attempt is important, as evicted squirrels are very persistent. If squirrels are not removed, only the stoutest of exclusions will keep them out. And in the case here, the is plenty of other wood to chew through not covered by wire.
Here is a great example of a squirrel hole. Notice, it was made where two roof elements meet. These areas are always suspect to squirrel damage because the squirrel has very good stability on the lower roofing element and can get a lot of chewing done from this stable position. Notice too, the evergreen branch in the picture. This is indicative that there is a tree too close to the roof. Trimming trees away from roofs doesn’t absolutely keep squirrels off, but it is a good start. We don’t want to make it easy for squirrels to access your roof. This inspection would lead to a recommendation of tree trimming after the removal of squirrels and the repair.
This picture shows aluminum which has a lot of chew marks on it. Squirrels can chew through aluminum if they can find an edge. These marks show a squirrel looking for a weak spot (or maybe just a squirrel that liked to gnaw).
A roof that has some marks like this generally has more in other places. To us, it is a good sign of squirrel presence and activity as opposed to an animals like raccoons, bats, or birds making the noises you are hearing in your attic or walls.
The final squirrel inspection picture shows one of the most common squirrel entry spots: the fascia.
Here, where the wood was slightly exposed at the edge of the roof, a squirrel has chewed in a nice hole.
A hole like this is difficult to see from the ground. But, an inspection from the ladder shows the problematic area.
The point of these pictures and descriptions is that squirrels get into homes in a variety of ways. Knowledge of the particular situation gained through inspection guides the removal, repair, and prevention of future problems.
Squirrel Inspection | Akron, Canton, Kent Area
If you’d like to have the squirrel removal & control experts from Frontline Animal Removal inspect your property for suspected squirrel problems contact us today!
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