Have you been hearing scratching or scurrying sounds above your ceiling? Maybe you’ve spotted a squirrel leaping onto your roof or noticed chewed openings near vents or eaves. 

If so, you’re not imagining things—squirrels may indeed be trying to get inside your house. Roofs and attics are prime real estate for squirrels as they look for safe, warm places to nest. Once inside, they can cause significant damage and costly repairs.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Marietta, we specialize in squirrels on roof solutions that keep them out of your home for good. By understanding why squirrels target roofs, how to prevent squirrels in your attic, and what signs of squirrel roof activity to watch for, you can take steps to protect your home. 

Read on to learn practical tips and how our humane approach solves the problem for homeowners like you.

Why Are Squirrels on Your Roof?

First, it helps to know why squirrels are attracted to your roof in the first place. Like most animals, squirrels are motivated by survival. They’re looking for food, safety from predators, and a secure place to raise their young. Here’s why your roof might be catching their attention:

Easy Access to Shelter

Tree branches hanging near or over your roof act like highways to squirrels. Agile by nature, they can leap impressive distances and use these branches to land on your roof effortlessly. Once there, they’ll scout for weak points like gaps in soffits, vents, or loose shingles to sneak inside your attic.

Warmth and Protection

Your attic provides something every squirrel wants—a quiet, warm, and safe spot to build a nest. With insulation to burrow in and protection from the elements, attics offer an ideal home.

Chewing Instinct

Squirrels have teeth that never stop growing, which means they need to gnaw constantly to keep them in check. Wood, plastic, shingles, and even aluminum make your roof a tempting target for their chewing habits.

Signs of Squirrel Roof Activity

How can you be sure that squirrels are trying to get inside your home? Look—and listen—for these common signs:

• Noises in the Attic: Scratching, running, or scurrying sounds, especially in the early morning or just before dusk, often indicate squirrel activity. 
• Visible Damage: Check for chewed wood, holes near vents or soffits, and damaged shingles on your roof. 
• Droppings and Nesting Materials: Squirrel droppings, shredded insulation, or leaves gathered inside your attic are telltale signs. 
• Overhanging Branches: Squirrels may be accessing your roof via nearby trees. Keep an eye out for claw marks on trunks or signs of worn paths on branches. 
• Chewed Wiring: Inside the attic, squirrels often gnaw on electrical wires, creating a dangerous fire risk.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to act quickly. The longer squirrels stay, the more damage they’ll cause, and they won’t leave on their own once they’ve settled.

How to Prevent Squirrels in Your Attic

Preventing squirrels from getting into your attic starts with making your home less appealing and eliminating their entry points. Here’s how you can stay one step ahead:

Trim Back Trees

Keep tree branches trimmed at least six to eight feet away from your roof. This distance makes it harder for squirrels to leap onto your roof. Squirrels are excellent jumpers, and overhanging branches act like bridges straight to your home. By keeping branches trimmed, you’re cutting off their easiest route to your roof and attic.

Seal Entry Points

Walk around your home carefully and inspect for gaps, holes, or loose vents along your roofline. Squirrels only need an opening the size of a golf ball to squeeze through! Pay close attention to areas like soffits, vents, and where the roof meets the walls, as these are common entry points. Sealing these areas with durable materials like steel mesh or metal flashing ensures squirrels can’t chew their way back in.

Install Protective Features

Adding protective covers to vents or chimney caps can deny easy access for squirrels. Ridge vent covers and hardware cloth are effective options. These features act as barriers, keeping squirrels from slipping into your home through weak spots. They’re a simple but powerful way to protect your attic from unwanted visitors.

Keep Your Yard Clean

Squirrels are opportunistic feeders, so minimize food sources like birdseed, nuts, and fruit that may have fallen from trees. Using squirrel-proof bird feeders can also discourage them from hanging around. When food is easy to find, squirrels are more likely to stick around and explore your home. Keeping your yard tidy removes the temptation and helps keep them at a distance.

Stay Proactive

Inspect your attic and roof regularly for signs of damage or animal activity. Catching the problem early saves you from larger repair bills later. Look for things like chewed wood, droppings, or nesting materials, which are clear signs of squirrel activity. Regular checks mean you can address issues before they turn into bigger problems.

By implementing these steps, you’ll be well on your way to keeping squirrels out of your attic. However, if the problem persists or seems too extensive, it’s time to call in the professionals.

How Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Handles Squirrels on Roofs

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve been helping homeowners in Marietta tackle squirrel problems humanely and effectively. Our process is simple but highly effective, ensuring that squirrels leave your home—and stay out.

Humane One-Way Doors

Our one-way doors are a game-changer when it comes to squirrels on roof solutions. These doors allow squirrels to exit but prevent them from re-entering your attic. This humane approach ensures the animals are safely removed without causing them harm.

Comprehensive Assessment

Our trained technicians perform a thorough inspection of your home to identify every possible entry point. We look beyond the obvious to tackle hidden vulnerabilities that squirrels may exploit.

Securing and Sealing

Once the squirrels are out, we seal every potential access point using durable materials. This prevents future intrusions and gives you peace of mind that your home is protected.

Cleanup and Repairs

Squirrels can leave a mess behind, from droppings to chewed wires. Our team cleans and repairs the damage, restoring your attic to a clean and safe condition.

Long-Term Prevention

We’ll also provide advice and recommendations to further safeguard your home. From trimming overhanging branches to checking your roof’s condition, proactive maintenance is key in keeping wildlife out.

At Skedaddle, we believe in providing customized, long-term solutions for each home. Our approach is not only about solving the immediate problem but also ensuring it doesn’t happen again.

Keep Squirrels Where They Belong 

If squirrels are on your roof, they’re not just passing through—they’re likely trying to get inside. Recognizing the signs and acting quickly is crucial to protecting your home. 

From trimming branches to sealing entry points, there are steps you can take. But when the problem becomes too much to handle on your own, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is here to help.

Our solutions for squirrels on your roof and humane one-way doors ensure the animals leave safely and stay out for good. If you’re ready to protect your home and want to prevent squirrels in your attic, contact Skedaddle in Marietta today to request an estimate. Don’t wait—schedule your inspection now and enjoy a squirrel-free home!