Squirrels often seek warm, quiet places to build their nests, and your attic is an ideal spot. It’s safe from predators, tucked away, and full of materials for nesting. This is why many homeowners deal with squirrels in their attics, especially during colder months. Unfortunately, once squirrels settle in, they can cause significant damage, such as chewed wires, torn insulation, and holes in the roof. Their droppings can also create unsanitary conditions and pose health risks to your family.

To protect your home, it’s important to catch the warning signs early. Look for unusual noises, damaged entry points, or piles of nesting materials. Understanding squirrel behavior and nesting habits can help you spot issues before they escalate. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Atlanta, we specialize in dealing with wildlife invasions and can help you address the problem quickly and effectively.

How Do Squirrels Build Their Nests?

To understand what you’re looking for, it helps to know how they build their nests and what they use to do so. Squirrels are resourceful builders who use a combination of materials found outdoors and inside homes. What is a squirrel nest called? They are called “dreys” and are typically made of leaves, twigs, moss, and grass. However, when they break into attics, they don’t hesitate to incorporate items like insulation, shredded paper, or fabric into their structures.

These animals prioritize safety, so nesting areas are usually built in hard-to-reach, undisturbed places. They’ll make sure their living environment is hidden, quiet, and warm. Once they’ve moved in, it doesn’t take long for their nests to grow in size as they gather more materials, especially if they’re raising a litter. This means identifying the problem early on is key to minimizing the impact on your home.

Seven Signs Squirrels Are Living in Your Attic

Here are some common signs that may indicate you’ve got furry invaders nearby. By staying vigilant, you can catch the warning signs before they get out of control.

1. Persistent Noises

One of the easiest ways to identify nesting activity is by listening for sounds from above. Unlike nocturnal animals, squirrels are active during the day, so you’ll often hear scratching or scurrying sounds in the early morning or late afternoon. These noises usually come from them moving around, chewing materials, or building their nest.

Occasionally, they may drag twigs, leaves, or other objects into place, creating a distinct rustling sound. Pay attention to these noises, especially if they become more frequent over time.

2. Droppings or Waste

Droppings are another giveaway. Look for small, pellet-like droppings scattered in areas like beams, entry points, or far corners of the attic. These waste materials can pose health risks since they often carry bacteria. If you spot droppings, avoid touching them without proper protective gear.

3. Damage Around Entry Points

Squirrels are relentless when it comes to finding a way inside. They’ll chew through wood, shingles, vents, and other weak spots to create openings big enough for entry. Look for jagged holes, fresh gnaw marks, or even greasy smudges around these access points. These signs typically indicate repeated use of the same entryway.

4. Unexplained Materials

Are you spotting twigs, shredded fabric, or torn remnants of insulation in odd places? These are telltale signs that animals are stockpiling materials to build their living space. Nests are often hidden in the quietest corners of your attic, so a thorough inspection might be needed to uncover them.

5. Tracks and Smudges

Footprints are another clue. Squirrel tracks are unique and easy to identify—they’ll have four toes on their front paws and five on their back paws, usually with visible claw marks. Dusty areas of the attic may show these tracks clearly. Additionally, look for greasy smears near frequently used pathways or entry points; these marks come from oils in the animals’ fur rubbing off as they move around.

6. Strange Odors

A sudden, stronger-than-usual odor in the attic could also indicate trouble. Waste materials left behind by nesting animals often produce a powerful smell over time. Yellowish stains on ceilings or walls might point to areas where urine has soaked through, especially if the activity is concentrated in one spot.

7. Increased Outdoor Activity

Often, spotting increased activity outside your home can give you a heads-up about potential issues inside. Look out for squirrels running along the roof or inspecting vents and eaves. If you notice them climbing in and out of specific areas during the day, it’s a strong indicator they’ve already settled in.

Why Acting Quickly Is Important

While they may seem harmless, squirrels inside your home can cause serious problems if left unattended. Their instinctive chewing behavior can damage wooden beams, insulation, and even electrical wiring in your home, increasing the risk of fire hazards. They often expand their entry points, weakening structural integrity and making room for other animals to move in.

Beyond the physical damage, there’s also the issue of hygiene. The buildup of droppings, urine, and nesting materials creates unsanitary conditions that may pose health risks to your family. Taking action as soon as you spot the signs ensures that these problems don’t worsen, saving both time and money down the road.

Humane Methods to Protect Your Home

It’s natural to want these intruders out of your space, but doing so in a humane way has its benefits. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Atlanta, we specialize in safe and effective removal methods that respect these animals. By using one-way doors, we allow them to exit your space naturally, ensuring they can’t return while keeping them safe.

Once they’ve moved out, our technicians will carefully seal entry points and repair any damage to prevent future issues. This approach not only safeguards your home but also gives these animals a chance to find a safer place to call home outside your attic.

Call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Atlanta

If you suspect there are squirrels nesting in your home, it’s important to act fast. At Skedaddle, we’re experts in identifying and resolving these issues humanely. By combining thorough inspections, effective removal practices, and preventative sealing, we tackle the root of the problem and ensure your attic stays animal-free in the future.

Reach out to our Atlanta team today to schedule an inspection. With our help, you can tackle this issue efficiently and safeguard your home for good!