Living in the Northern Virginia areas of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Fredericksburg, squirrels chasing each other and running across yards, trees, fences and roofs are a common sight. However, when these rodents begin spending too much time on your roof, it can become a serious issue. Squirrels can damage your roof shingles, fascia boards, soffits, flashing, and more so they can get inside your attic. Squirrels inside your attic will shred your insulation and create unsanitary environments with their waste, not to mention the fire hazards they can create with their outside nesting material and tendency to chew through wires. Don’t panic, there’s plenty you can do! Squirrels can be removed and their damage mediated by a licensed wildlife removal expert like Summit Wildlife Removal, and squirrel problems can easily be prevented by taking the proper precautions.
Why Squirrels Target Roofs and Attics
Roofs are a common target for squirrels because roofs provide squirrels with an easy access point to your attic space, which is ideal for nests. Attics are warm and safe from predators and harsh weather, making them ideal for a squirrel looking to settle down and have babies. Attics even come with built-in nesting material in the form of insulation!
Your attic space is the real target, making your roof collateral damage in the process of getting through to the attic. Squirrels naturally nest up high in trees, and if you have trees near your roof, it can make it easy for them to leap from the branches of the tree in your front yard to the shingles on your roof.
Common Types of Roof Damage Caused by Squirrels
Most roof damage done by squirrels is done during the process of gaining entrance to your attic space. Squirrels are rodents with very powerful front teeth, and will chew through your roof shingles, soffit, fascia board, flashing, and more to get inside your attic space. Squirrels will also use their claws and their teeth to create and widen entry points near eaves, attic fans, and chimneys.
Once inside your attic space, squirrels will begin shredding your insulation to add to their nests, often soiling it in the process with their waste. Squirrels will bring in outside nesting material to add to their nest as well, which can consist of dry, dead organic material that is flammable like dead leaves, twigs, and straw. Squirrels can create fire hazards by gnawing through the rubber covering around wires, which can expose the bare wiring to the insulation and other nesting material.
Signs Squirrels May Be Damaging Your Roof
Looking for visual cues is the best way to determine if squirrels are damaging your roof. You might spot shingles that look chewed or lifted, or gnaw marks and holes around your soffit, fascia board or gable vents. In some cases, squirrels can damage your gutters, leaving them askew or hanging off the roof. You might see squirrel droppings near the attic access, or on edges of roofs. Nesting material like dead grass and straw poking out of eaves or vents is also a surefire sign that squirrels are nesting inside your attic and damaging your roof.
Prevention Tips for Homeowners
Some tips you can take to prevent squirrels from damaging your roof include:
- Trim tree branches 6-8 feet away from the roof: branches close to your roof provide easy access for squirrels, and trimming them takes away this access.
- Install chimney caps: squirrels can also nest inside your chimney, so installing chimney caps can help keep them out.
- Seal off entry points: having a licensed wildlife professional locate and seal off cracks or gaps can prevent squirrels from entering through them
- Remove bird feeders and other food sources: your home becomes even more irresistible to squirrels when there are easy sources of food nearby, like a bird feeder.
When To Call A Wildlife Removal Expert
If you have squirrels damaging your roof or nesting inside your attic space, NOW is the best time to call a wildlife removal expert like Summit Wildlife Removal.
Squirrels are unpredictable wild animals, and can bite or scratch if you attempt to remove them by hand. Squirrels will also hide their extremely small babies deep inside your attic insulation, and an inexperienced remover might not spot them. Professionals have the tools, training and expertise to safely and humanely remove squirrels and all their babies from your attic space, which helps you avoid the risks associated with DIY removal.
Best Squirrel Removal in Northern Virginia
If you need squirrel removal services in the Northern Virginia areas of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, or Fredericksburg, contact the experts at Summit Environmental Solutions. Squirrels can cause serious damage to your roof and attic space, and they aren’t something to take lightly. However, with the right preventative steps and the help of Summit Environmental Solutions, you can ensure your home stays squirrel-free for the foreseeable future. Contact Summit Environmental Solutions today to get started with a FREE estimate at 703-884-2124!
