| As a professional squirrel-removal technician, I evict | | | | certainly lure them to your home. Clean your gutters |
| squirrels from hundreds of homes each year. This | | | | twice a year to prevent this from happening. |
| allows me to see first hand how squirrels manage to | | | | Access |
| enter homes/attics and also why they seek out | | | | The number one factor that makes a house prone |
| certain types of houses. If you've had squirrels in the | | | | to squirrel problems is open entry. The following |
| attic before there is probably a very specific reason | | | | conditions make it very easy for squirrels to access |
| as to why they chose your home. This article will | | | | your roof. |
| illustrate why squirrels are attracted to certain homes | | | | Overhanging Tree Limbs - Squirrels can jump as far |
| and give you tips on removing the conditions that | | | | as 15 feet from a branch to land on your roof. Trim |
| make your home attractive to these furry little | | | | long branches back to prevent this from happening. |
| rodents! | | | | Keep in mind that even the branches that are well |
| Are You Attracting Squirrels? | | | | above your roof should be trimmed. |
| Are you unknowingly attracting squirrels to your | | | | Bushes - Large bushes that grow around the |
| backyard? You could be if you have any of the | | | | perimeter of one-story homes allow squirrels to climb |
| following. | | | | the bushes and jump onto the roof. Keep these |
| Bird Feeders - Bird feeders will often attract squirrels | | | | bushes trimmed to a height that is four feet below |
| to your yard. The more squirrels in your yard and | | | | the roofline. This will prevent squirrels from jumping |
| near your home the more likely it is that they will | | | | from the tops of the bushes onto your roof. |
| damage your home. Squirrels are attracted to bird | | | | Preventive Maintenance |
| feeders due to the seeds that fall to the ground | | | | In order for a squirrel to chew its way into your attic |
| below. Use specialized feeders that don't allow the | | | | it needs a vulnerable area or a weak spot to start |
| seed to fall to the ground or place feeders far away | | | | with. These are usually slightly rotted areas on the |
| from the house. | | | | corners of the house or older attic vents on the |
| Trash Barrels - A little-known fact is that urban | | | | ends of your home. To prevent squirrels from using |
| squirrels eat trash. Squirrels are opportunistic feeders | | | | these areas you should replace rotted wood and |
| and will eat just about anything. Un-secured garbage | | | | screen your attic vents. |
| cans allow squirrels to dine on your trash whenever | | | | Squirrels cause hundreds of thousands of dollars |
| they choose. Keep the lids on your trashcans tight | | | | worth of damage each year to homes. Usually, if you |
| and use bungee cords to prevent the lids from being | | | | remove the features that make your home |
| knocked off. | | | | attractive to these intelligent and determined critters, |
| Gutters - The gutters on your home act as a catch | | | | you'll find they quickly become less bothersome. |
| basin for leaves and nuts. Homes that are surrounded | | | | Follow the professional tips listed above and you |
| by oak trees often have gutters full of acorns. This | | | | should be able to prevent a squirrel infestation in your |
| creates a fine-dining scenario for squirrels and will | | | | home and attic! |