Squirrels are a common sight in the Outaouais and are generally appreciated when living outdoors. However, when they settle in an attic, soffit, or building cavity, they can quickly become a significant source of nuisance and damage.
In Gatineau, Val-des-Monts, Cantley, Chelsea, and throughout the Outaouais region, squirrel problems are particularly common in spring and fall, when females seek a safe place to give birth or when animals look for shelter from the elements.
Since they are highly agile and excellent climbers, squirrels can access areas of a building that many homeowners consider inaccessible.
How to recognize the presence of a squirrel?
Squirrels are generally easier to detect than many other nuisance animals.
Common signs include:
- Running or scratching sounds in the ceiling;
- Significant activity early in the morning or late in the day;
- Presence of nesting materials;
- Droppings in the attic;
- Gnawing marks on certain building components;
- Observation of a squirrel entering or exiting the roof.
The noises are often louder than those produced by mice, particularly when several young are present in the nest.
Why do squirrels enter your home?
Squirrels primarily seek a place that is:
- Dry;
- Warm;
- Secure;
- Sheltered from predators.
Soffits and attics often offer ideal conditions.
They can access the building through:
- Soffits;
- Roof vents;
- Openings in the cladding;
- Roof junctions;
- Chimneys;
- Weak points in the building.
Since their teeth grow continuously, squirrels are able to gnaw through certain materials to enlarge an existing opening.
Are squirrels dangerous?
Although often perceived as harmless, squirrels can cause several problems when they settle in a structure.
They may:
- Damage insulation;
- Tear vapour barriers;
- Gnaw on certain construction materials;
- Soil the area with their droppings and urine;
- Build nests in the attic.
In some cases, they may also chew electrical wires, increasing the risk of building damage.
The accumulation of nesting materials and organic matter can also attract other insects or parasites.
Why does the problem keep coming back?
Squirrels often use the same nesting sites year after year.
Once an access point is discovered, other squirrels may reuse the same entry point if no correction is made.
Factors favouring recurrence include:
- Unrepaired openings;
- Tree branches near the roof;
- Damaged soffits;
- Unprotected vents;
- Easily accessible entry points.
Simply removing or relocating the animals does not necessarily solve the problem in the long term.
What to do if you have squirrels in your attic?
It is important to avoid immediately blocking the opening without first checking whether young are present.
In spring, a female may have a litter in the attic. If access is closed prematurely, the young may remain trapped inside, creating additional problems.
We recommend:
- Identifying entry points;
- Checking for the presence of young;
- Avoiding improvised capture attempts;
- Having the situation assessed quickly.
A tailored intervention generally resolves the problem while respecting the animal’s life cycle.
Our solution
At Maranda Pest Control, our intervention begins with a complete building inspection.
Our assessment allows us to:
- Identify the entry points used;
- Determine whether young are present;
- Evaluate the damage caused;
- Check secondary access points;
- Recommend appropriate corrective measures.
Depending on the time of year and the observed situation, various exclusion methods can be used to allow squirrels to leave without being able to return.
We also recommend the necessary corrective work to prevent future intrusions.
Our goal is to resolve the problem durably while respecting wildlife.
Need help with squirrels in your home?
Whether you are in Gatineau, Val-des-Monts, Cantley, Chelsea, L’Ange-Gardien, or anywhere in the Outaouais region, our team can quickly identify the source of the problem and offer you a tailored solution.
Contact Maranda Pest Control for a professional inspection and regain peace of mind by protecting your home against squirrel intrusions.
