Will Squirrels Leave The Attic On Their Own?

For squirrels, attics and soffit areas are ideal nesting areas. Squirrels can stay warm and dry in inclement weather because of their height, which protects them from predators and humans. Squirrels can easily chew through plastic, aluminum, and wood with their incredibly powerful teeth, creating holes that allow rain and snow to enter a home. Once inside, their nesting habits and proclivity for gnawing down their incisors can cause structural damage worth thousands of dollars.

Because squirrels enter attics for shelter, it’s very unlikely that they will leave unless they perceive a threat. A threat could be anything from human interference or another animal entering the attic. 

Learn More: Customer Squirrel Questions

Attics As Nesting Sites

Female squirrels build nests for a variety of reasons, one of which is to raise their young. Squirrels breed twice a year, and after a 44-day gestation period, babies are born. The first litters of babies are born between late March and early May, followed by the second litters in July and August. Between two and six babies are born in the average litter.

Once the squirrels have established an attic as a good place to raise young, they will return to birth future generations there. If left untouched squirrels can inhibit an attic for many years. 

How To Get Squirrels To Leave An Attic?

It might be easy to seal up an entry point and let the squirrels starve to death, but that is a terrible option. That is inhumane and dead squirrels will spread disease in the home. Trapped squirrels will also create new damage while attempting to escape. 

The best way to permanently remove squirrels in the attic is to contact a professional squirrel removal company. This allows for humane removal and can ensure that all of the squirrels are gone. Professional removal technicians can also conduct repairs and install exclusion devices that prevent future squirrel infestations.