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If you’re hearing scratching, running, or chewing sounds in your attic—especially early morning or near dusk—there’s a good chance you have squirrels.
As the weather cools in fall and winter, squirrels look for warm nesting spots. Unfortunately, attics are perfect: quiet, protected, and full of insulation they can shred into bedding.
The safest, most reliable solution is to hire a licensed wildlife removal company that can remove the squirrels and seal the entry points so they do not come back. We provide statewide Virginia squirrel removal and exclusion services.
How Do Squirrels Get Inside My Home?
Squirrels are excellent climbers and can reach rooflines quickly using trees, gutters, and even siding seams. Common entry points include:
- Chewing through soffits, fascia, vents, and weak roof edges
- Exploiting rotted wood, loose trim, missing vent covers, or construction gaps
- Entering through uncapped chimney flues or damaged chimney areas
- Getting in through crawlspace doors left open or missing/damaged access doors
- Using pet doors (more common for other animals, but still a vulnerability)
- Entering through open windows or doors
- Widening small gaps over time until they can squeeze through
If one squirrel found a weak spot, others can too.
How Do I Know If I Have Squirrels In My Attic?
Common signs of squirrels in the attic include:
- You see a squirrel in or around the home
- You see a squirrel entering/exiting near the roofline, gable vent, or chimney
- Chewing or gnawing sounds (often at dawn)
- Running, scurrying, digging, or scratching in the attic
- Insulation pulled apart, stripped, or “feathered” where squirrels climb and travel
- Chewed wires or chewed wood framing (a real fire risk)
- Golf ball–sized ceiling damage from nesting activity (common during baby season)
- Raisin-sized droppings scattered in the attic
- Leaves, twigs, and nesting material brought inside
- Exterior entry damage about the size of a baseball around soffits/fascia/vents
If you’re unsure whether it’s squirrels, raccoons, or rats, an inspection can confirm the species.
How Do I Get Rid Of Squirrels In My Attic?
In most cases, the most effective way to remove squirrels from an attic is:
- Confirm the entry point(s) and the species
- Remove the squirrels using proven, professional methods
- Seal the home correctly with animal-resistant materials to prevent re-entry
- Address damage and contamination (insulation, droppings, and nesting areas)
Trapping is usually the best approach
There are many traps on the market—from humane cage traps to lethal traps. The approach must be chosen carefully based on the situation, access, and whether babies are present.
We use professional-grade traps and commercial baits designed for consistent results.
Why we do NOT recommend one-way doors for squirrels
One-way doors can create problems with squirrels, including:
- Squirrels chewing new holes to get back in
- Orphaned babies left behind during nesting season
- Ongoing noise/odor problems if young squirrels die in wall voids
“What do I do with the squirrels after I catch them?”
This is where DIY attempts often go wrong. Virginia laws and regulations can limit what you can do after capture, and relocation often results in poor survival.
If lethal trapping is used, there are also legal and sanitary concerns regarding carcass handling and disposal.
DIY Warning (Why Squirrel Removal Often Goes Wrong)
DIY squirrel removal can lead to:
- Bites or scratches from cornered animals
- Trapped babies in the attic
- New entry holes from panicked re-entry attempts
- Persistent odors if an animal dies in a wall or insulation
- Incomplete repairs that lead to repeat infestations
If you want the problem solved completely, removal must be paired with exclusion (seal-out). For long-term prevention, see Virginia Animal Exclusion & Damage Repairs.
Do Squirrels Carry Diseases?
Squirrels (and the parasites that live on them) can pose health concerns. The most common risks inside homes are:
- Droppings/urine contamination in insulation
- Fleas, ticks, and mites
- Bacteria from contaminated nesting areas
If you discover droppings or contaminated insulation, avoid sweeping or vacuuming without proper precautions. If insulation is badly damaged, see Attic Insulation Removal & Replacement.
Is There A Local Company Near Me That Removes Squirrels?
Yes. Virginia Professional Wildlife Removal Services is locally owned and operated and provides squirrel removal and exclusion services across Central Virginia — including the Richmond and Charlottesville areas, Northern Virginia, Tidewater / Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley / Southwest Virginia areas.
We also remove and control other nuisance wildlife and pests, including bats, birds, flying squirrels, foxes, groundhogs, mice, opossums, raccoons, rats, skunks, snakes, voles, and more.
FAQ: Squirrels In Attics
A: Sometimes they leave temporarily, but if the entry point stays open they often return—or another squirrel moves in.
A: Not until you’re sure all squirrels (and babies) are out. Sealing too early can trap animals inside and create bigger problems.
A: Fall and winter are common for attic entry, but spring is also busy because squirrels look for nesting sites and may have babies.
A: Squirrels chew to enlarge openings, move nesting material, and sometimes gnaw wood or wiring.
A: Yes. Chewed electrical wiring is one of the biggest risks with attic squirrel activity.
A: Yes. Exclusion and repairs are what prevent the squirrels from coming back.
Service areas: Statewide
We provide service across the Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, Tidewater / Hampton Roads, and the Shenandoah Valley / Southwest Virginia regions.
For the full list of the cities, counties and towns where we provide service, visit:
If you don’t see your city listed, contact us—we often serve nearby areas and can confirm availability quickly.
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Call Now — We’ll Help You Get Rid Of Squirrels In Your Attic
Call us today at (804) 729-0046 or toll-free at (888) 824-7383 to discuss your squirrel problem and the fastest way to solve it.