If you’ve found red squirrels making themselves at home, you’re not alone. Homeowners across Columbus are discovering just how problematic these small, lively animals can be. Though they may look harmless they can be incredibly destructive. They gnaw incessantly, create insulation messes, and even pose risks to your electrical systems. This blog will walk you through everything from understanding where red squirrels live to learning how to keep them away from your house safely and effectively.  

Red squirrels are unique creatures with behaviors that allow them to adapt to urban settings with ease. Unfortunately, their resourcefulness often crosses into unwelcome territory—your home. Whether they’re making nests in your attic or chewing away at your soffits, knowing how to approach the situation is critical. At Skedaddle, we specialize in creating customized strategies to handle these animals humanely while protecting homeowners from further damage. Here’s how we do it in Columbus and why we’re your best partners in tackling the problem.

Where Do Red Squirrels Live?  

Red squirrels are adaptable animals, thriving in environments where they can find food and shelter. While they are naturally forest dwellers, they’ve become increasingly comfortable living in urban and suburban areas like Columbus. This shift occurs largely because residential neighborhoods provide the perfect mix of resources.  

Out in the wild, red squirrels prefer environments dense with pine or spruce trees. These trees produce conifer cones, one of their primary food sources. Nesting materials like bark, twigs, and natural foliage are also in abundance, making forests the perfect setting for them to thrive.  

However, as many local forests shrink, red squirrels have adapted to using homes, sheds, and garages as alternative nesting spots. Attics, in particular, mimic the dark, enclosed spaces squirrels would typically find in tree cavities. Surrounding gardens and bird feeders often act as convenient new sources of food.  

Once settled, red squirrels become territorial. These animals fiercely protect their chosen nesting grounds, even chasing away other squirrels. This territorial behavior means that once a few squirrels take up residence near your home, the likelihood of removing them without professional help becomes slim. Addressing the issue requires understanding their living habits and anticipating where they might build nests next.

Are American Red Squirrels Destructive?  

The answer is yes. Red squirrels are surprisingly destructive given their small size. Equipped with powerful front teeth that never stop growing, they chew relentlessly to maintain their dental health and access sheltered spaces. Homes constructed with wood or vinyl are particularly at risk since these materials are no match for their teeth.  

One common problem occurs when squirrels chew through soffits or fascia boards to gain access. Once inside, these agile climbers wreak havoc by tearing apart insulation to build nests. This not only destroys your home’s heating efficiency but can also spread contaminants like fleas and bacteria throughout your living spaces.  

Another significant risk is the squirrels’ tendency to gnaw on electrical wiring. While this may seem minor on the surface, frayed or exposed wires can present a serious fire hazard. A single spark in the wrong place can lead to costly damages that far exceed the expense of professional wildlife management services.  

Even if squirrels haven’t yet infiltrated your attic or walls, trees close to your property invite potential issues. Red squirrels often use overhanging branches as direct entryways onto roofs, where they exploit weak points to gain entry and start their disruptive activities. The damage is wide-ranging and intense, making swift action essential.

How to Keep Squirrels Away From Your House  

The best defense against red squirrels is a proactive approach. Taking preventative measures ensures that your home is as unwelcoming to them as possible while also addressing potential vulnerabilities. Below are practical steps every homeowner can take to safeguard their property.  

1. Inspect Potential Entry Points: This cannot be overstated. Walk around your property to check for gaps, damaged soffits, or loose siding, as red squirrels only need small spaces—around 2 inches wide—to enter.  
2. Trim Overhanging Branches: Squirrels use nearby trees as ladders. By trimming back any branches that come close to your roof, you eliminate one of their key access points.
3. Invest in Durable Screens: Vents and chimneys are other common pathways for squirrels. Installing heavy-duty screens over these areas prevents entry without interrupting airflow.
4. Reinforce Roofs and Fascias: Because squirrels are excellent climbers, they often test a home’s structural weak spots. Strengthening fascias, roofs, and gables can prevent squirrels from gnawing their way inside.  
5. Deodorize Problem Areas: Red squirrels leave scent markers behind to stake their territory. Removing these scents can discourage reentry once the squirrels are gone.  
6. Enlist Professional Help: Even with these measures, persistent squirrels may still attempt to settle in. Hiring experienced wildlife control services ensures a thorough, long-lasting solution.  

Keep in mind that while some measures are feasible for homeowners, most entry prevention tasks require expertise. Plus, improperly securing vents and gables may leave other areas vulnerable, creating a game of trial and error that’s best avoided.

Skedaddle Keeps Your Home Safe 

At Skedaddle, we’ve spent over three decades helping homeowners protect their properties with safe and humane wildlife control techniques. What sets us apart is our focus on thoroughly assessing your home before formulating a customized plan.  

Our services begin with a full inspection of your property, identifying every potential entry point and assessing the current damage. From there, our team goes beyond simply removing the squirrels; we ensure no pathways are left behind for other wildlife to exploit. Our humane methods safely remove all adults and their young while reuniting families outside, enabling them to relocate naturally.  

To ensure your home stays protected, we use heavy-duty, durable materials to seal entry points for good. This includes deodorizing areas to erase markers squirrels leave behind, which can attract other animals. Ultimately, our comprehensive prevention measures mean that once we complete a job, your home is safe from further invasions.  

Our methodology isn’t just effective—it’s backed by a lifetime guarantee. You can rest assured that if any issues arise after our work is done, our team will remain available to make things right. Your satisfaction is our commitment, and we pride ourselves on providing Columbus homeowners with the peace of mind they deserve.  

Protect Your Home Today  

Dealing with red squirrels is a challenge no homeowner should face alone. Their ability to adapt, gnaw, and establish nests makes them one of the most persistent nuisances around. Ignoring the issue only leads to mounting damages and health risks that are best avoided.  

If you’re noticing signs of red squirrels in or around your property, don’t wait. At Skedaddle, we’re here to provide expert guidance and hands-on solutions that work. With our proven track record and humane strategies, you can safeguard your home and get back to enjoying peace of mind.

Contact Skedaddle in Columbus today to learn more about our services or to schedule a professional inspection. The sooner you act, the better equipped we’ll be to help keep your home safe from unwanted intruders.