Spring is a season of new growth, but it’s also a time when you might find uninvited guests making a home in your house. If you’ve noticed odd noises in your attic or seen chewed surfaces around your property, you may be dealing with squirrels nesting indoors. 

Understanding “how squirrels get into your house” and recognizing “what does a squirrel nest look like” are the first steps to keeping your home safe. For homeowners in Baltimore, spring brings specific challenges related to wildlife removal, and squirrels are among the most tenacious and resourceful.

How Do Squirrels Get Into Your House? 

Squirrels are extraordinary climbers, capable of scaling tree trunks, brick walls, and even power lines to access your roof. Once on your roof, they look for entry points such as damaged soffits, vents, or loose shingles. Their sharp teeth can chew through materials like wood, aluminum, and even plastic to create or enlarge openings. Surprisingly, squirrels only need a hole about two inches wide to squeeze into your home. Structures like chimneys, attic vents, and gaps near utility entrances are also common access points for squirrels looking to nest indoors.

The problem intensifies in older homes. Over time, aging materials may wear out, creating the perfect entryway. For Baltimore residents, the combination of mature trees and older architectural styles often leaves homes particularly vulnerable to wildlife entry during the spring nesting season. Squirrels are not picky when it comes to accessing shelter – they’re willing to use any weak spot they can exploit.

Once inside, squirrels will quickly claim space in your attic, walls, or even ventilation systems. You may notice scratching sounds, insulation scattered on the floor, or a persistent, unpleasant odor. These are all indicators that squirrels may have infiltrated your living space. Beyond the immediate annoyance, their presence can lead to severe structural and health risks if left unaddressed.

What Does a Squirrel Nest Look Like?

Squirrel nests, whether found in trees or homes, are distinctive in their construction. Outdoors, squirrels usually build their nests, known as dreys, with twigs, leaves, and grass in tree branches or cavities. However, if they gain access to your home, their nests take on a more destructive form.

Inside your home, you’ll find squirrel nests made with soft, fibrous materials scavenged from your property. They might rip up your attic insulation, bite through cardboard boxes, or shred old clothing stored in storage areas. Their nests can measure surprisingly large, often up to several feet in diameter. These nests are usually tucked into corners of attics, wall cavities, or near warm appliances like furnaces.

The presence of young squirrels can further complicate matters. During the spring, mother squirrels build nests to birth and raise their litters. Squirrel litters typically consist of 3–8 babies, which remain immobile for the first few weeks of life. This makes removing them especially delicate since the mother will be highly protective of her young. If you encounter baby squirrels or an elaborate indoor nest, professional help is the most effective and humane solution.

A squirrel nest isn’t just untidy—it poses significant health and safety concerns. The dry materials used in nest construction are highly flammable and can increase fire risks, particularly if placed near exposed wiring or heat sources. Furthermore, squirrel nests are hotbeds for parasites like fleas and ticks, which can quickly spread to other parts of your home.

The Damage Caused by Squirrels Indoors

Squirrels may be small, but the damage they can cause to your home is anything but minor. These active critters bring a host of problems that affect both your property and peace of mind. Here’s how squirrels can wreak havoc indoors:

Chewing Everything in Sight

• Squirrels gnaw on electrical wires, creating serious fire hazards.
• Wooden beams, metal pipes, and plastic materials often become their chew toys.
• Their constant need to file their growing teeth means nothing is off-limits.

Chewed wires are especially concerning because they don’t just cause inconvenience—they’re a leading cause of electrical fires. It’s not just one more fix; it’s a potential disaster in the making.

Attic Chaos

• Squirrels shred insulation for nesting materials.
• Their urine can soak into insulation, rendering it ineffective.
• Damaged insulation leads to energy loss, causing higher heating and cooling bills.

A compromised attic isn’t just about higher utility bills—it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and odors that affect the rest of your home. Over time, the waste buildup can create an unhealthy living environment.

Non-Stop Noise

• The scurrying, scrambling, and scratching never seems to stop.
• Early mornings and evenings bring heightened activity, disrupting your peace.

Having squirrels as uninvited tenants can make it feel like your home is being taken over. Their active hours often line up with when you’re trying to relax, robbing your sanctuary of its serenity.

Expensive Repairs

• Replacing chewed wires and insulation isn’t a DIY-friendly task.
• Structural fixes often require expert intervention.
• Sealing entry points is complex but essential to avoid repeated infestations.

Repairing squirrel-related damage involves more than simple touch-ups. It often requires extensive work, from cleaning out soiled areas to restoring structural integrity.

Ultimately, no one wants to live in a noisy, damaged home that smells like an animal sanctuary. Addressing these issues quickly and thoroughly not only protects your property but also restores the comfort you deserve.

Prevention Tips to Protect Your Home

Preventing squirrels from entering your home can save you from frustration, financial costs, and long-term damage. Start by inspecting the exterior of your home for potential vulnerabilities. Look for loose shingles, damaged soffits, or gaps around chimneys. Reinforce these weak spots with durable materials like metal flashing or heavy-gauge screening to deter access.

Trim overhanging branches near your roofline. Trees serve as natural bridges for squirrels. Maintaining a minimum of 8–10 feet of distance between tree limbs and your home reduces the likelihood of squirrels gaining easy roof access. Additionally, consider installing chimney caps and attic vent screens, which secure common yet often overlooked entryways.

Routine maintenance is the best defense. By addressing wear and tear in a timely manner, you can close entry points before wildlife moves in. An often-overlooked measure is deodorizing areas where squirrels have nested in the past. Residual pheromones can attract other squirrels to the same space if not properly cleaned.

For homeowners in Baltimore, seasonal preparation is key. The combination of urban green spaces and aging homes creates a higher-than-average risk of squirrel-related issues. Conducting thorough home inspections before the spring nesting season can drastically reduce your chance of an incursion.

Here’s a quick checklist to help keep squirrels out:

• Inspect for signs of damage or gaps in the exterior of your home.
• Trim tree branches near your home.
• Reinforce weak points using metal screening or flashing.
• Use chimney and attic vent caps to block entryways.
• Clean and deodorize areas previously affected by wildlife.

While these steps can reduce your risk, it’s important to remember that squirrels are resourceful animals. Even the most prepared homes are still at risk, especially during the busier spring months.

Humane Wildlife Removal in Baltimore

If squirrels have already moved into your home, fast action is essential. Spring is a critical time for removal since young squirrels are often present. Their immobility and the protective behavior of their mothers make DIY attempts particularly challenging and unsafe.

At Skedaddle, we don’t just solve the problem—we prevent it from happening again. Our approach begins with a detailed inspection of your home to locate every entry point and assess the problem’s scope. Using humane techniques, we safely remove squirrels and, if babies are present, implement reunion procedures to keep squirrel families intact.

After exclusion, we professionally seal all potential access points to prevent future entry. We also clean and sanitize the impacted areas, removing contamination to protect your home from bacteria, parasites, and unpleasant odors. With decades of experience, we understand how to address even the most challenging situations with compassion and expertise.

Keep Your Baltimore Home Protected

There’s no better time to safeguard your home from squirrels than during the spring nesting season. By staying vigilant and addressing vulnerabilities early, you can reduce risks and ensure the safety of your property. However, if squirrels have already taken up residence, acting swiftly and calling in professionals is your best option.

Protecting your home is a priority, and Skedaddle is here to help. If you suspect squirrel activity or want to prevent future issues, contact us today. Our team of experts will provide a customized solution to keep squirrels out and your home secure.