Squirrels
Facts
Squirrels are fast, smart, and built for climbing. They can run along limbs, roofs, gutters, fence lines, and power lines with ease. North Carolina is home to several squirrel species, including gray squirrels, fox squirrels, red squirrels, and flying squirrels.
Flying squirrels are especially interesting because many people never see them. They are nocturnal and glide from tree to tree using a flap of skin between their front and back legs. Southern flying squirrels are found throughout North Carolina.
A squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing. Because of that, squirrels have to chew constantly to keep their teeth worn down. In the woods, that helps them crack nuts and survive. In a house, that same chewing can turn into expensive damage.
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Scratching, scampering, rolling, or chewing sounds during the day
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Noises early in the morning or late afternoon
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Squirrels repeatedly running across your roof
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Chewed holes near fascia, soffits, vents, roof returns, or trim
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Nesting material in the attic
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Damaged insulation
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Droppings or urine stains in attic space
Signs of SquirrelsÂ
Risks
Squirrels can cause more damage than homeowners expect. They can chew through wood, vents, fascia, soffits, insulation, and ductwork. One of the biggest concerns is electrical wiring. If squirrels chew wire insulation, it can create an electrical hazard and increase fire risk.
They may also tear up attic insulation to build nests. That can reduce the insulation’s effectiveness, create odor, and leave behind droppings and urine. If a female squirrel has babies in the attic, removing the adult without handling the young properly can make the problem worse.
Squirrels can also make entry holes larger over time. A small chewed opening can become a weak spot for water damage, insects, birds, bats, or other wildlife.
What we do
We inspect the roofline, find the entry point, identify squirrel activity, remove or exclude the animals, and repair or seal the access point so the issue does not repeat.