Do squirrels try to get in your house?

Yes, squirrels do try to get into houses, especially in late fall and winter when they seek warmth, shelter, and a safe place to build nests and store food, and in spring when females look for safe places to raise babies. The most common entry points are along the roofline, including soffits, fascia boards, roof vents, chimney caps, gaps where dormers meet roofs, and holes where tree branches touch the house, because squirrels are excellent climbers and can jump up to 7 feet horizontally and 5 feet vertically. They can chew through wood, vinyl, and even soft metal to enlarge small gaps, and they can squeeze through holes as small as two inches. Once inside, they often nest in attics, wall cavities, chimneys, and crawl spaces, where they build nests from insulation, leaves, and shredded material, store nuts, and gnaw on wood and electrical wires which can create fire hazards and cause costly damage. Signs that squirrels are trying to get in or are already inside include scratching and scurrying noises in the attic during the day, since squirrels are diurnal, droppings, chewed entry holes, and nesting material. To prevent them, trim tree branches at least 7 feet away from the roof, seal all holes with metal flashing and hardware cloth, install chimney caps, and use squirrel-proof vent covers.