Grey Squirrels causing you grief?
Why Grey Squirrels Chew into Your Attic — A Closer Look at North Carolina’s Common Wildlife
Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are among the most familiar wild mammals in North Carolina. As the state’s most common tree squirrel, they’re abundant in rural, suburban, and urban areas alike and are known for their adaptability and resourcefulness. Their presence near homes is a sign of thriving wildlife—but it can also lead to costly and hazardous encounters when they find their way into your attic. NC Wildlife
What Are Grey Squirrels?
Grey squirrels are medium-sized rodents with gray-brown fur and bushy tails, and they maintain an active lifestyle year-round. Their diet mainly includes nuts and acorns but expands to seeds, fruit, mushrooms, and even bird eggs depending on availability. They construct leafy nests in trees but readily exploit other sheltered spaces when beneficial. NC Wildlife
Why They Target Attics
1. Food and Shelter:
Attics mimic the natural nesting cavities grey squirrels seek in trees: they’re dry, insulated, and generally free from predators. During breeding seasons or colder months, female squirrels may look for secure places to raise their young, and your attic can fit the bill. Shelter is especially attractive because squirrels don’t hibernate; even in winter they stay active and need safe places to rest and nest. NC Wildlife
2. Constant Chewing Behavior:
As rodents, grey squirrels have incisors that never stop growing, which means they must gnaw continuously on hard materials to keep their teeth at a usable length. This natural behavior drives them to chew on wood, siding, soffits, and gaps along eaves—often creating access points into attics in the process. Once they locate a weak spot, they’ll exploit it repeatedly. NC Wildlife
3. Habitat Encroachment and Easy Access:
Homes near wooded areas are particularly vulnerable. Squirrels are excellent climbers and can jump from overhanging branches onto roofs. Once on the rooftop, they investigate seams, vents, roof edges, and other vulnerabilities—especially where wood has aged or weathered.
What Happens Inside Your Attic
Once inside, squirrels engage in nesting and chewing that can cause significant problems:
Structural damage: They gnaw on rafters, framing, soffits, and even interior wood structures.
Insulation destruction: Squirrels tear up insulation both for nesting materials and simply through activity, reducing energy efficiency.
Electrical hazards: Perhaps the most serious risk is their tendency to chew on electrical wiring, which can expose copper and increase the risk of short circuits or fires. NC Wildlife
These behaviors don’t just damage property—the materials squirrels leave behind (like droppings and nesting debris) can create health risks and unpleasant odors over time.
Prevention Is Key
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), the best way to prevent conflicts with squirrels is to reduce attractants and deny access:
Trim tree branches back at least 6–8 feet from your home’s roofline to reduce jumping access.
Use hardware cloth or screen mesh to secure vents, openings, and soffits.
Remove food sources like bird feeders or unsecured garbage that encourage squirrel activity near your home. NC Wildlife
Attics offer ideal shelter—but they’re also places homeowners don’t want to share. A combination of habitat modification, exclusion techniques, and professional wildlife control when necessary can help protect both your home and the grey squirrels that are simply following their instincts. NC Wildlife
Home Remedies That Do Not Work
Homeowners often attempt do-it-yourself remedies to drive squirrels out of the attic, but many of these methods are ineffective or only provide short-term relief. According to guidance commonly echoed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, repellents and scare tactics rarely solve squirrel infestations when animals have already established a nest.
Commonly attempted remedies that do not work include:
Mothballs or ammonia: These products are often suggested online, but squirrels quickly acclimate to odors, and their use in attics can create harmful fumes for humans and pets.
Ultrasonic sound devices: Studies and field experience show squirrels either ignore these devices or avoid them temporarily before returning.
Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, or vinegar sprays: While these may deter squirrels briefly in open areas, they are ineffective once squirrels are nesting inside enclosed spaces.
Bright lights or loud radios: Squirrels may retreat initially but often return once they become accustomed to the disturbance.
The NCWRC emphasizes that exclusion—sealing entry points after proper removal—is the only long-term solution. Relying on home remedies can delay effective treatment, allowing damage to worsen over time.
Why Grey Squirrels Chew Into Attics in North Carolina
Grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are one of the most common wildlife species found throughout North Carolina. While they are an important part of the ecosystem, their adaptability often brings them into close contact with people—especially homeowners. One of the most frequent conflicts occurs when grey squirrels chew their way into attics, causing damage and safety concerns.
Understanding Grey Squirrel Behavior
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), grey squirrels are active year-round and do not hibernate. They rely on secure shelter to rest, store food, and raise their young. In natural settings, squirrels use tree cavities or build leaf nests, but in suburban and urban environments, homes provide an attractive alternative. Attics closely resemble hollow trees: they are warm, dry, elevated, and protected from predators.
Grey squirrels are also rodents, which means their front teeth never stop growing. To keep their teeth worn down, squirrels must gnaw constantly. This natural behavior leads them to chew on wood, fascia boards, roof decking, soffits, and even aluminum flashing. Over time, these vulnerable areas become entry points into the attic.
Why Attics Are a Prime Target
Homes near wooded areas or with overhanging tree branches are particularly susceptible. Grey squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers and can easily access rooftops. Once there, they investigate rooflines, vents, and construction gaps—especially where materials have aged or weathered.
Once inside an attic, squirrels can cause significant problems. They tear insulation apart for nesting material, contaminate areas with droppings and urine, and may chew on electrical wiring. The NCWRC notes that damaged wiring increases the risk of electrical shorts and house fires, making squirrel infestations more than just a nuisance.
Home Remedies That Do Not Work
Many homeowners attempt DIY solutions to remove squirrels from their attic, but most home remedies are ineffective and often make the problem worse. The NCWRC and wildlife professionals consistently advise that repellents and scare tactics do not resolve established infestations.
Common remedies that do not work include:
Mothballs or ammonia: Squirrels quickly become accustomed to odors, and these chemicals can be harmful to people and pets when used indoors.
Ultrasonic sound devices: Squirrels frequently ignore these devices or return after a short period.
Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, or vinegar sprays: These may deter squirrels briefly in open areas but are ineffective in enclosed attic spaces.
Bright lights or loud radios: Squirrels may temporarily relocate but typically return once they acclimate.
Relying on home remedies often delays proper action, allowing damage to increase and young squirrels to be born inside the attic.
The Proven Long-Term Solution
The NCWRC emphasizes that the only reliable, long-term solution is professional wildlife exclusion. This includes humane removal of the squirrels, sealing all entry points with durable materials, and modifying the home’s exterior to prevent future access. Trimming tree branches, securing vents, and reinforcing rooflines are key steps in preventing repeat infestations.
Grey squirrels are simply following instinct—but when those instincts lead them into your attic, professional wildlife control is the safest and most effective way to protect your home.
