Squirrels may look cute and harmless as they dart through the trees around St. Paul, but these little animals can cause big problems for your home if they get too close. Keeping your property safe from squirrel damage is all about being proactive and paying attention to key details. What are the best squirrel damage prevention tips? Simple actions like sealing potential entry points, maintaining your yard, and removing food sources can make a significant difference. These are essential steps in safe property maintenance against squirrels and protecting your home from their impact.

To maintain your property safely and prevent squirrel damage, you’ll need to focus on keeping these animals outside where they belong. That begins with understanding how squirrels operate. They’re resourceful and persistent, but with the tips below, you can make your property less appealing to them. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in St. Paul specializes in helping homeowners like you safeguard against squirrel problems, and with professional help, you’ll be able to prevent long-term issues.

Here’s how to protect property from squirrels and maintain it safely.

Secure Your Home’s Entry Points

One of the simplest and most effective squirrel damage prevention tips is to seal up potential entry points around your home. Squirrels only need a small gap or hole to squeeze inside, especially near your roofline. Common entry points include vents, chimneys, roof edges, and gaps around windows. Once inside, they can chew on wood, wires, or insulation, causing damage and potential safety hazards.

Take action by carefully inspecting these areas:

• Roofline & Eaves: Check for weak spots, loose shingles, or gaps along your roofline. Repair any damage immediately.
• Vents & Chimneys: Install sturdy mesh covers over vents and chimney openings. This prevents squirrels from climbing inside while ensuring ventilation is not blocked.
• Exterior Walls: Look for cracks or holes in your siding or brickwork. Fill these gaps with materials like steel mesh or caulk to block squirrels from entering.

Regularly sweeping your home’s exterior for signs of wear ensures safe property maintenance against squirrels. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control offers professional help to secure vulnerable spots while using humane measures, such as one-way doors to allow squirrels out but prevent them from returning.

Keep Branches and Trees Well-Maintained

Squirrels are expert jumpers, and overhanging tree limbs or vines near your home can act as natural bridges, giving them easy access to your roof and attic. To prevent this, it’s important to keep the greenery around your property well-maintained. 

Trim any tree branches that come within six to eight feet of your roof or exterior walls, and avoid planting trees too close to your house. Instead, choose tree species that grow vertically rather than spreading outward. 

Regularly inspect your yard for dead branches or overgrowth that could provide additional access points for squirrels. This type of yard work isn’t just about keeping your property looking nice—it’s a key step in protecting your home from squirrel damage.

Eliminate Food Sources

Squirrels won’t stick around if there’s nothing to eat. They are constantly looking for food, so removing potential supplies on your property is critical for squirrel damage prevention.

Take these steps to keep food sources out of reach:

• Bird Feeders: Place bird feeders at least ten feet away from your home, and use squirrel-proof designs. Spilled seeds on the ground can easily attract squirrels, so clean up regularly.
• Garbage Cans: Ensure that your trash bins have secure lids and are not easily tipped over. Set them away from fencing or branches that could offer access.
• Gardens & Fruit Trees: If you grow fruits, vegetables, or nuts, consider using netting or fencing to shield them from squirrels. Keep the ground clean of fallen fruit, which can be a tempting snack.

Removing these attractants is essential for safe property maintenance against squirrels while also discouraging other pests like raccoons or mice.

Protect Vulnerable Areas With Physical Barriers

Even with good yard maintenance and food control, some squirrels may still try their luck. Adding physical barriers to certain parts of your property can make all the difference.

Consider reinforcing these areas:

• Roof Vents and Louvers: Cover these openings with metal mesh or heavy-duty grates to stop squirrels from chewing their way inside.
• Decks and Porches: Use lattice skirting or hardware cloth around the base of your deck or porch to block entry underneath.
• Fencing: Opt for metal fencing or add mesh screens to your existing fence to keep squirrels from climbing over or squeezing through.

Adding these reinforcements not only protects your property but also saves you money down the line by avoiding costly repairs.

Pay Attention to Signs of Squirrel Activity

Catching squirrel-related issues early can go a long way in preventing serious damage. By staying alert to signs of squirrels trying to take over your property, you can address the problem before it escalates.

Here’s what to look for:

• Chewing Damage: Squirrels love to gnaw on wood, siding, or wires. Look for teeth marks on exterior walls, utility lines, or roofing materials.
• Noises in the Attic or Walls: Scratching, squeaking, or rustling sounds at dawn or dusk often indicate squirrels are inside your home.
• Nests: Squirrels will create nests using twigs, insulation, or stuffed materials. You might spot these in corners of your attic or yard trees.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call the professionals at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Relying on experts ensures the problem is handled safely and humanely, especially since they use one-way doors to allow animals to leave without returning.

Stay Proactive Year-Round

Squirrel prevention isn’t something you do just once; it’s an ongoing part of keeping your property safe over time. In St. Paul, the changing weather throughout the year makes homes especially attractive to squirrels. 

To stay ahead, it’s important to schedule seasonal inspections of your roof, vents, and exterior walls. Regular maintenance and being aware of potential issues can make a big difference in keeping your home safe from squirrels. If you’ve already taken steps to prevent squirrel damage, make it a habit to reassess the trees and branches around your home each season. 

Check your attic and basement for any signs of entry or nest-building, and quickly repair any new weak spots you find. By staying proactive and alert, you can protect your property from squirrels and keep it secure against future problems.

Act Fast With Professional Help

If squirrels have made their way into your home despite your best efforts, it’s time to get help from the pros. We specialize in safe, effective squirrel removal across St. Paul. Unlike risky DIY methods, their one-way doors use a humane, smart approach, ensuring squirrels leave your home without any chance of re-entry. Coupled with sealing strategies and robust repairs, Skedaddle’s professionals make your property squirrel-proof long-term.

Don’t wait for squirrels to cause costly damage to your home. Take action today to prevent squirrel problems while maintaining your property safely. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is here to help with expert squirrel damage prevention tips and services tailored to your needs. Request an estimate to learn more and protect your home from the risks of squirrel damage safely and effectively.