One of the reasons you chose to live in a house rather than an apartment may have been because you didn't want to hear noises from your neighbors. But the squirrels on your roof may be among the noisiest neighbors around, not to mention the damage they can do to your roof.
Thankfully, there are a few simple tricks to reduce the racket and keep your home safe from unwanted rodents. Before you get started, watch carefully to discover how these critters gain access to your roof. That will help you decide the appropriate next steps to take.
1. Cut Back Overhanging Trees
Good news: The solution to your squirrel problems may be as simple as trimming the trees in your yard. As you probably know, squirrels are expert jumpers and climbers, which means long tree limbs and branches are their greatest allies in reaching your roof. Removing this access point can even stop flying squirrels, as they can't really fly.
2. Install Squirrel Guards
The next step is to install squirrel guards to the base of poles or trees. This involves attaching a piece of sheet metal at least two feet wide and about six feet up each trunk or pole. Then, secure the sheet metal with wire and springs, which allows your base to expand. Sheet metal is too slippery for squirrels to climb, so you might want to stick around and watch the show.
3. Cover Wires and Cables
The final step takes a little more work, but afterward, your home will be a fortress no squirrel can access. First, take several two-foot sections of slim PVC pipes and saw them lengthwise. Then, gently pull apart the cut and slip a pipe over any wires or cables that provide access your roof. (Always consult an electrician before dealing with electrical wires.) The next time a squirrel tries to reach the roof, the pipe will spin, ensuring the squirrel can't gain footing and causing the animal to fall off. Again, this scene could provide a few laughs of relief after listening to the racket from your noisy upstairs "neighbors."
While it would be a shame if there were no squirrels in the lovely neighborhoods in Gwinnett, Henry and other Georgia counties, their presence on your roof (or in your home) can be a real problem. Thankfully, by following these three simple solutions, you can stop the problem before it even starts. If your roof needs attention from possible squirrel damage or any other issues, contact us for a Free Roof Analysis.
