Squirrels in the Attic: Signs, Risks and Next Steps
Tree squirrels often move into attics in fall and late winter, looking for a warm, dry place to nest. They are active during the day, which is one of the easiest ways to tell them apart from raccoons or mice.
Common signs
- Noise in the morning and late afternoon. Squirrels are active in daylight. You may hear scurrying, scratching or rolling sounds soon after sunrise and again before dusk.
- Chewed entry holes. Look for round, gnawed openings along the roofline, at soffit corners, gable vents or where the roof meets a wall.
- Squirrels on the roof going in and out of the same spot.
- Nesting material such as leaves, twigs or shredded insulation in the attic.
- Gnawed wood, wiring or pipes.
Why it is worth dealing with
Squirrels' teeth never stop growing, so they chew constantly. Chewed electrical wiring in an attic is a fire risk, and holes in the roofline let in rain and other animals. Nesting squirrels also compress and soil insulation.
Gray squirrels often have litters in late winter or early spring and again in summer. If a mother is shut out while young are inside, the young may die in the attic and the mother may chew a new hole to get back in.
What usually happens
Providers commonly inspect the roofline, check for young, and use one-way exclusion doors so squirrels can leave but not return. Once the attic is clear, holes are sealed with chew-resistant material, and damaged insulation may be replaced.
What you can do now
- Trim tree branches that reach within several feet of the roof.
- Note the times you hear activity and the area of the ceiling it comes from.
- Check for chewed spots from the ground with binoculars, but do not climb on the roof.
- Avoid sealing a hole until you are sure no animals are still inside.