Here’s one way Squirrels get in the Attic
Video technology has certainly come a long way since Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control started in 1989. It’s amazing how much quality footage our field staff is able to gather while solving homeowner’s wildlife problems. This particular video was shot in Ottawa by one of technicians while investigating a squirrel entry point along a customer’s fascia.
We were called out to this home in Ottawa by a customer who was complaining of hearing scurrying and scampering inside their attic. When our technician arrived on site for the property assessment he had the good fortune of spotting a squirrel hanging around roof edge. It was hard to tell what was going on from the ground but once he got up on a ladder the chewed aluminum and shingles easily identified the entry point.
Within a few minutes he was able to set up a camera to film exactly how squirrels get into attics. Many squirrel and wildlife infestations begin at the edge of the roof near the fascia.
Here a few reasons why the edge of your roof is vulnerable to squirrel entry:
LEAVES AND DEBRIS
Gutters and eaves need regular cleaning to ensure proper drainage. When eavestroughs are allowed to fill with water they tend to sag under the weight and create openings. Excess water left in the eaves can keep wooden roof components wet and accelerate rot.
ICE DAMS
Under insulated attics are prone to ice dams and large icicle formation at the roof edge. These situations are created when warm air from inside the house rises through the attic and melts the snow on top of the roof. As that melted snow flows downward it comes into contact with lower temperatures (remember, warm air rises) and refreezes once again under shingles and the fascia at the roof edge. The added weight of all that ice puts stress on the eaves causing it to peel away from the house. Click here to learn more about our attic insulation services.
This ice dam could create big problem when spring rolls around.
IMPROPER INSTALLATION
It’s unfortunate that many fascias and eavestroughs are poorly constructed or repaired to begin with and aren’t built to last. This area of the roof is critical because it’s where all the water that hits the roof eventually ends up. They fail most often when a proper drip edge isn’t installed to deflect all that water away from the fascia and into the eavestrough. The result is wet wood that quickly rots and deteriorates.
The exposed wood between the drip edge and the eavestrough below has rotted to allow squirrels into the attic.
Any gaps or openings, no matter how small, which get created at the roof edge, are an open invitation for opportunistic squirrels. As you can see in the video, aluminum and wood are no match for their powerful teeth. A bit of chewing and they are able to make a hole that suits them perfectly. Once inside the attic, they have find a warm and dry home to nest in.
With Ottawa’s harsh winters it is important to make sure your eavestroughs are cleaned regularly, your attic is fully insulated and that any roofs repairs are done properly. Be sure to inspect your roof frequently or risk.
