Squirrels in the Attic
This week’s profile job is one where squirrels are in the attic. And while this is not unusual by any stretch, this job is interesting because it highlights three elements typical of squirrel jobs that all came together to enable this particular squirrel infiltration. Take away any of the three factors and squirrels may not have happened here.
This “perfect storm” of squirrel opportunity consisted of
- A chimney that was no longer capped
- An exhaust pipe that was no longer connected into the chimney flue
- Power lines providing a travel path to an area of weakness
First we’ll show the video of what was found at this particular job. Then we’ll tie it back to other examples of these three factors which enabled squirrels at other jobs.
How the Squirrels are Getting Into Attic
Utilizing are camera on a pole, Ryan made this video which shows an inspection where he discovered a hole into the attic space.
As you saw, a combination of factors led to this squirrel problem.
The most obvious of the issues is an UNCAPPED CHIMNEY. Having chimneys capped well is one of the constant themes in nuisance animal removal. Uncapped chimneys provide opportunity for multiple species of nuisance critters. If this chimney cap was not damaged, squirrels would not be inside. Here is a longer blog post which goes more in depth on chimney caps: Thoughts on Chimney Caps
The next factor which contributed here in this case is SQUIRREL FREQUENCY in the area. Just because the building has a weakness doesn’t mean squirrels find it and exploit it right away. The squirrels have to first find the area. This uncapped chimney was found and explored because the power lines bring the squirrels right to the weak spot. Squirrels use power lines and trees as travel spots to and from buildings. The more travel lanes- the more squirrel traffic. As this older post about SQUIRRELS & POWER LINES reveals, knowing squirrels travel these lines informs us that weaknesses where they attach to the building need extra scrutiny. Had the lines not brought squirrels routinely to the problem spot, the chances of them finding it and moving in are reduced.
The third factor which enabled squirrels to get into the attic was the DAMAGED/UNATTACHED FLUE to chimney that Ryan showed with the camera. As heating and cooling and venting change in buildings over the years, people often don’t think about their actions will enable nuisance wildlife. At one point in this chimney’s history there was a flue connected to the chimney at that opening. When it changed, the hole into the attic was left rather than plugged. Then a dead end tunnel (into an appliance) became a great place to explore. Check out this POST ABOUT SQUIRRELS USING A DISCONNECTED PIPE to get into an attic. It has similar lessons.
Attic Squirrels are Opportunists
Throughout our web site, you’ll see that many squirrel jobs come into existence because squirrels are opportunists. They explore and travel all over our buildings’ exteriors. When they find something they can exploit- that’s when they move in.
Removal & Prevention of Squirrels focuses on finding and eliminating the factors that are giving squirrels the openings they need.
For help with squirrel issues big and small, call Frontline Animal Removal today. We are good at finding out how the squirrels are getting in, removing them, and keeping them out.
