Tales from the Attic What Attracts Squirrels To Attics

Tales from the Attic – What Attracts Squirrels to Attics

Attics, which are usually quiet and not given much thought, can become fightgrounds between people and rats. These quick and determined animals always seem to be able to make attics into cozy places to hide. But why do squirrels come into attics in the first place, and how can people stop them?  

  1. A safe place to stay:

Like all wild animals, squirrels look for places to hide from the weather and possible enemies. Attics are safe places for birds to nest and raise their young because they are well protected. When bad weather comes, squirrels often look to attics as a safe place to be.  

  1. Comfort and warmth:

When it’s cold outside, attics are often warmer than the outside. This warmth is appealing to squirrels, especially when they need to keep their young warm. Because they are close to heating lines and have insulation, attics can feel like a squirrel’s version of a five-star hotel.  

  1. Things for nesting:

Gathering food is easy for squirrels. They often build their nests out of things they can find in and around your home. This can include things like insulation, cardboard, newspapers, and even pieces of your stuff. If you have these things in your attic, it’s like inviting rats to move in.  

  1. Easy access:

Because squirrels are great at climbing and jumping, it’s not hard for them to get into attics. They can jump from nearby trees or power lines, or they can just find holes in the roof and jump out. If you have branches close to your roof, think of them as squirrel roads.  

  1. Places to get food:

Even though squirrels don’t always store food in attics, they are drawn to homes where food is easy to get to. Squirrels may be drawn to your home by bird feeders, gardens, or open trash cans. If they get inside, they may use the attic as an extension of their area.  

  1. Time to breed:

During the breeding season, which happens twice a year on average, squirrels are looking for safe, out of the way places to give birth and raise their young. Attics give them the peace and safety they need during this very important part of their lives.  

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Attic:  

Now that we know why squirrels come into attics, let’s look at some ways to keep them out:  

  1. Seal holes where pests can get in. Check your roof, attic, and eaves often. Seal up any holes or cracks that could let pests in, like those around vents and power lines.
  1. Cut back branches that hang over the roof. If you have trees near your house, cut back branches that hang over the roof. This will make it harder for rats to get into your attic.
  1. Keep trash cans and bird feeders safe. Make sure trash cans have tight lids, and you might want to buy bird feeders that squirrels can’t get into. This cuts down on the number of possible food sources on your land.
  1. Use Deterrents: Put motion-activated lights, sprinklers, or even fake predators (like owls or snakes) near the places where people can get into your attic as deterrents. Because they are careful, squirrels may stay away from places that look dangerous.
  1. Take Care of Your Attic: Make sure your attic is in good shape. Get rid of any clutter, plug any holes in the insulation or walls, and fix any damage right away so that birds can’t use it as a nest.
  1. Get Professional Help: If you think you have squirrels in your attic or don’t know how they’re getting in, you should talk to a professional wildlife removal service. They can look at what’s going on, get rid of the squirrels safely, and take steps to stop it from happening again.

Figuring out what squirrels like is the first thing that you need to do to keep them out of your attic. You can protect your attic and live peacefully with these interesting, if sometimes annoying, urban wildlife neighbours by addressing these draws and taking preventative steps.

At Squirrel Control Lindsay we have many years of experience dealing with squirrels. We focus on safe and ethical wildlife animal extractions from residential and commercial properties with proven methods in accordance with federal and local rules and regulations