The primary dangers of having a squirrel in your attic include significant fire hazards from chewed electrical wiring and extensive structural damage to your home’s insulation and support beams. Because squirrels are persistent gnawers, they can destroy vital components of your home’s infrastructure while introducing health risks through waste and parasites. Critter Bro in Reno, NV, serves as a trusted local expert in identifying these vulnerabilities before they lead to costly home repairs.
Why Squirrels Are More Than Just a Nuisance
While a squirrel in the yard is a common sight in Northern Nevada, one inside your attic is a liability. Unlike some wildlife that enter a home to hibernate, squirrels are active year-round and can be incredibly destructive due to their biology. Their incisors never stop growing, meaning they must constantly chew on hard materials to keep them filed down.
1. The Threat of Electrical Fires
The most hidden and dangerous risk is the damage to your electrical wiring. Squirrels often strip the plastic insulation off wires, leaving “live” copper exposed.
- Short Circuits: Exposed wires can spark when they come into contact with wood or nesting materials.
- Fire Hazards: According to NFPA electrical fire data, electrical malfunctions are a leading cause of home damage, and wildlife investigators estimate rodents cause up to 20–25% of fires with undetermined origins.
- Hidden Damage: Because this happens behind walls or deep in insulation, homeowners often don’t realize the danger until a circuit breaks or a fire starts.
2. Structural and Exterior Damage
To a squirrel, your home is just a large hollow tree. They will use their powerful teeth to create or expand entry points in your home’s exterior.
- Soffits and Fascia Boards: Squirrels often chew through wooden eaves and trim to gain access.
- Roof Vents: Plastic or light aluminum vents are no match for a determined squirrel.
- Support Beams: Constant gnawing on wooden rafters can eventually compromise the structural integrity of your roofline.
3. Destruction of Attic Insulation
Squirrels treat your attic insulation as both a bed and a bathroom.
- Compaction: As they run and nest, they trample the insulation, stripping it of its R-value (insulating effectiveness).
- Contamination: Squirrel urine and squirrel droppings soak into the material, creating a oul odor and a breeding ground for bacteria and zoonotic pathogens like Salmonellosis or Leptospirosis.
- Nesting Materials: They often bring in dry leaves, twigs, and cardboard, which further increase the fuel load for a potential fire.
What To Do Next: Actionable Steps
If you suspect a squirrel has moved in, follow these steps to manage the situation safely:
- Listen for Activity: Squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. If you hear scurrying in the morning or afternoon, it is likely a squirrel (raccoons are nocturnal).
- Inspect the Exterior: Look for chew marks around your roofline or displaced vent covers.
- Trim Your Trees: Ensure branches are at least 6–8 feet away from your roof to remove the “bridge” squirrels use to access your home.
- Avoid “DIY” Sealing: Never seal a hole until you are 100% sure all animals are out. Trapping a squirrel inside will cause it to chew through drywall to escape, or it will die inside your walls, creating a massive odor problem.
Special Considerations: The Spring Breeding Season
In Nevada, squirrels typically have two breeding seasons, one of which peaks in the early spring. If you have a squirrel in your attic during this time, there is a high probability of a nest of babies. Removing the mother without the young is inhumane and often violates Nevada’s strict wildlife handling codes. Professionals use specialized techniques to ensure families are handled together.
When To Call a Professional
You should contact a specialist if you notice “red flag” symptoms like flickering lights, strange smells, or visible chew marks on your home’s exterior. Professional squirrel removal involves not just trapping, but a full animal removal process plan to ensure no other animals take their place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will squirrels leave an attic on their own?
Rarely. Once a squirrel has established a nest and marked the area with pheromones, it considers your attic its permanent territory. Even if they leave to forage during the day, they will almost always return to the safety of your home at night.
Can squirrels chew through metal?
Squirrels can easily chew through soft metals like aluminum and lead. This is why professional wildlife exclusion uses heavy-duty galvanized steel mesh and hardware cloth that the animals cannot penetrate.
How do I know if I have a squirrel or a rat?
Squirrels are diurnal and make larger “thumping” or “scurrying” noises during daylight hours. Rats are nocturnal and tend to make lighter scratching or squeaking noises at night. A professional damage assessment can confirm the species based on the size of the droppings and the nature of the chew marks.
Do I need to replace my insulation after a squirrel infestation?
In most cases, yes. If the infestation was localized, you may only need a “spot clean.” However, if there is widespread contamination from waste, a full attic restoration is necessary to protect your home’s air quality and energy efficiency.
Why Homeowners Choose Critter Bro
We understand the local wildlife patterns of the Reno-Sparks area. From the Western Gray Squirrel to the common ground squirrel, we have the experience to handle these pests humanely and effectively. Our team focuses on long-term prevention, using professional-grade materials that stand up to the Nevada climate.
Protect your home from fire and structural damage. Call Critter Bro at (775) 899-7000 today for a thorough attic inspection.
