Let’s be honest with ourselves — squirrels are adorable. With their fluffy tails, little paws, and tiny noses, it’s hard not to smile when you see one of these critters climb a tree.
However, these furry pests aren’t harmless friends — they are crazy, little construction workers. Except they don’t build anything… they just chew through everything.
If you’ve ever had one tear up your insulation or chew through the electrical wires in your attic, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you don’t protect yourself from these destructive forces of nature, then you can kiss your life savings goodbye because they will cost you thousands of dollars in damages.
So, why do squirrels treat your house like a rage room and, more importantly, how do you make them stop? Well, you’ve come to the right place — we’re going to go through the top 10 proven ways to stop squirrels from chewing up your home.
Why Squirrels Can’t Stop Chewing
Imagine being a squirrel for a minute. You have strong, healthy teeth, but they won’t stop growing — ever. So, the only way to keep them from growing out of your mouth is to constantly chew on things to file them down.
That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun for the squirrel or for the things around your home. Wood, plastic, and wiring are apparently the best things to gnaw on to keep their teeth at bay.
Now, they don’t just chew on things for dental health — they also chew to get to food, create nesting spots, and sometimes just because they can. Squirrels are essentially the bored toddlers of the wild — small, adorable, and destructive.
How do I know this? Well, our technicians deal with squirrels daily. Alpha Wildlife helps homeowners across Tennessee, South Carolina, and Kentucky to protect their homes from squirrel damage, including in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Louisville, Columbia, and Charleston.
Most Common Areas Squirrels Damage Inside Homes
Ahh, you catch on quick! Let me guess, now you’re worried that a squirrel might be making some structural changes inside your home and you wanna look around — smart move.
Here are the most common things and areas squirrels like to damage inside homes:
1. Electrical Wires
Squirrels don’t have helicopter parents that are constantly worried about their safety and stop them from doing something dangerous — poor squirrels!
Even though it’s dangerous for the animal and for the homeowner, these furry pests love chewing through electrical wires. It’s not uncommon for squirrel damage to cause short circuits or even house fires.
In fact, did you know that squirrels cause approximately 30,000 house fires each year in the United States? These little critters are dangerous!
2. Wooden Siding & Trim
You’ve worked so hard for your house and then a squirrel comes along. Decks, siding, soffits — nothing is safe. They’ll chew through to access your attic or just to keep their teeth filed down.
3. Attics & Roofs
You see your attic as the perfect place to stash your Christmas decorations, but squirrels see it as a 5-star resort that’s free as long as you sneak inside. Getting there is easy — just chew through vents, shingles, or fascia boards.
4. Pipes & Plastic Lines
Water damage is a phrase that sparks fear in most homeowners. That damage can be expensive, and it can lead to other issues, like mold. Well, squirrels don’t give a crap. Some squirrels gnaw through PVC pipes or plumbing vents, which can lead to water leaks.
Don’t get mad at the squirrel though — they just thought your home could use an indoor pool for guests.
10 Ways to Stop Squirrels from Destroying Your Home
Now, we’re getting to the good stuff. How can we stop these crazy critters from chewing through your home? Below are proven ways to stop these pests:
1. Seal All Gaps & Open Areas
Take a stroll around the outside of your home as well as the inside of your attic. Look for any openings near your vents, soffits, or roofline. These areas need to be professionally sealed to keep these pests out.
Good luck trying to do this yourself. I’m sure it can be done, but if you miss a spot — they will come back.
2. Install Chimney Caps
If the top of your chimney is open, this is a perfect spot for squirrels to hang out. Chimney caps allow smoke to escape, but it prevents things from getting inside.
Don’t worry kids — I’m sure Santa Claus can still find a way inside.
3. Trim Overhanging Tree Branches
Imagine being a squirrel and you’ve found a long tree branch that overhangs or even touches the roof of a home. That’s like rolling out the red carpet and purposely asking for these guys to come over.
Trim overhanging branches so it gives more distance between your home and the trees.
4. Cover Electrical Wires
Think of this as a safety precaution both from squirrels and potential fire hazards. Use PVC piping to offer a protective layer over electrical wires. It looks nicer and offers protective qualities.
5. Natural Repellents for Temporary Squirrel Relief
Certain natural repellents and deterrents like hot pepper sprays or peppermint oil might make surfaces less appealing for squirrel — but it won’t last forever. Eventually, they’ll get used to it.
6. Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders
If you have a nice bird feeder in your back yard, chances are you’re feeding the local squirrels more than any birds. I’m not saying that all squirrel-proof bird feeders will work, but it will at least make it more difficult for these guys to steal the food.
7. Make Sure All Trash Can Lids Are Secured
Besides your toilet on chili night, your trash can is probably the vilest thing around your home, but squirrels think it smells delightful. Keep your lids tightly closed to keep the smell contained and prevent these pests from dumpster diving in your driveway.
8. Use Motion-Activated Lights
Think of this like shining a bright light on a criminal — they stop dead in their tracks. If you have motion-activated lights around your home, chances are it will scare away squirrels and any other wildlife bold enough to attack your home.
9. Physical Barriers
Besides sealing all open areas around your home, install physical barriers around weak points or potential entry areas to ensure your home is squirrel-proof.
10. Call the Best Professionals in the Business
Now, I, personally, would skip all the steps and jump straight to here. If you want your squirrel problems to end and never happen again, call the professionals. Alpha Wildlife offers top to bottom services that will get rid of these pests humanely and keep them out for good.
Routinely Check Your Home to Catch These Pests Sooner
Don’t wait until you have a hole in your soffit and a squirrel peek out. Check around your home often, especially after storms, to ensure there are no holes or potential entry points. The faster you notice signs of a squirrel problem, the easier & cheaper it is to fix.
Now, there are several different types of squirrels out there and each of them cause different levels of damage. If you’re in Tennessee, here’s a breakdown of the 4 most common squirrel types in Tennessee and how they behave around homes.
Professional Tip: Alpha Wildlife offers free inspections. If you suspect there is a critter in your attic, call us to check it out. This keeps things simple on your end and brings you peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
With their small furry bodies, their bushy tails, and cute eyes, squirrels are adorable creatures. However, once these pests invade your home, they can quickly turn it into their personal jungle gym.
Keep your home sealed tight and always look for signs of squirrel activity. If you believe there is a pest in your attic or home, just give Alpha Wildlife a call. They’ll solve the problem fast — and make sure it never happens again.
Proven Ways to Stop Squirrels from Chewing Your Home – FAQs
Q: Why do squirrels keep chewing on my house?
A: Squirrels chew because their teeth never stop growing. Gnawing on wood, wiring, and shingles helps file their teeth down and gain access to nesting spots like attics.
Q: What smell keeps squirrels away from my house?
A: Strong scents like peppermint oil, garlic, vinegar, and predator urine can temporarily repel squirrels, but they are not long-term solutions.
Q: What is the best way to stop squirrels from chewing on my house?
A: The most effective method is professionally sealing entry points and weak spots, then eliminating food sources and trimming overhanging branches.
Q: Can squirrels cause electrical fires?
A: Yes. Squirrels commonly chew electrical wires, which can lead to shorts and house fires.
Q: How do I keep squirrels out of my attic permanently?
A: Find and seal all entry points, install vent covers and chimney caps, trim nearby tree branches, and remove food sources. For long-term protection, professional exclusion is best.
