As soon as we have our first hint of serious cold weather, squirrels will be looking to re-insulate their current dens or to establish new, cozier  winter lodgings.

Gray squirrels usually nest in leaf and twig bowers high up in trees, or in tree holes. A dominant squirrel might score the more desirable shelter of a tree hole. She will open it up inside to just the right size and then pad it with leaves. You may have seen a squirrel scurrying up a tree with a mouthful of dried leaves. Not every squirrel is lucky enough to get tree hole lodging. There’s competition for these premium sites from birds and other animals as they all try to settle in for the winter.

 IT’S NOT HARD FOR SQUIRRELS TO GET INSIDE

There are no doubt some squirrels around your house and yard that have an eye on your attic for winter shelter. If a squirrel can find a rotted soffit, any kind of small opening, a corner joint, or a knothole near the roofline, she will gnaw to make the opening large enough to get inside (see How Do Squirrels Get into Attics?). Once inside the attic, she will make a nest of leaves, or chewed up paper or fabric, or she may just tunnel into the insulation to get comfy. By the way, gray squirrels aren’t the only ones that can occupy your attic. Red squirrels and flying squirrels can move inside, too, and sometimes with plenty of friends.

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If you think that the squirrels in your attic are going to quietly hibernate until spring, you’re wrong (see What’s So Bad About a Squirrel in the Attic?). In our area, squirrels remain active to some extent except in the worst of weather. They may come and go from your attic but they will use that space to hoard nuts and other food, they’ll poop and pee there, and they might chew into your stored belongings and your electrical wiring. Besides the damage, you might have to deal with noise and smells and maybe even squirrel parasites as long as squirrels are in residence.

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT SQUIRRELS IN YOUR ATTIC?

At the first hint that some kind of animal (even if you’re not sure it’s a squirrel) is living above your head, contact a nuisance wildlife specialist. You can’t just seal up openings into attics or wall voids without making sure that all of the residents, and any young, are out. At Colonial Pest, removing and excluding squirrels and other too-friendly creatures is one of our specialties and we have experienced, certified technicians to do the job. See Why You Should Call a Professional for Squirrels in Your Attic.

ASK US ABOUT SQUIRREL EXCLUSION MEASURES

Squirrel-proofing or squirrel exclusion is something else that we do for our customers. Our specialists inspect your home’s exterior, looking for vulnerable areas that we fix or reinforce to keep squirrels out. Squirrel exclusion done right is a permanent control method and our work is guaranteed. Why not have this job done now before squirrels can move in? See Squirrel-proofing Your Home.

Give Colonial Pest a call today and ask for our squirrel specialists!