Squirrels Nesting in the Attic

After all the leaves have fallen from the trees and you begin to see frost in the morning, it is clear that winter is upon us. This not only signals the wonderful display of lights and gifts but it is also the time that you will begin to hear squirrels nesting in the attic. During the holidays many have made plans with some unwanted guests such as the in-laws but it is also when people hear unwanted guests in the attic. Depending what time of the day or night you are hearing the noise would determine whether it is flying squirrels or gray squirrels.

Flying squirrels are nocturnal hence they would be active in the wee hours of the night. Many disgruntled homeowners describe noises in the wall, animals running on the ceiling, sound of nuts dropping in the middle of the night and what some describe as a soccer match over their bed while they are trying to sleep. This animal is the most elusive pest that squirrel exterminators face in the winter time. They normally have a higher population inside that attics and are much smaller, so it is compared to mice with parachutes getting into any crack or crevice along the roof-line. Flying squirrel nesting in the attic will typically first begin in late fall and the commotion will continue through the spring time until it warms up enough for them to take refuge in trees.

Gray squirrels are on a different schedule than the flying squirrels but can be just as aggravating. The noise of gray squirrels nesting in the attic typically involves loud scratching or the noise of chewing on wood during the day time. Because they are much bigger than flying squirrels they need a much larger area to enter an attic. The typical size of the gray squirrel entry is the size of a tennis ball but can be smaller in some cases. Once the gray squirrel has entered the home the will typically chew out the hole to make it bigger. Why they chew out the hole even though the have easy access baffles even the most seasoned biologist.

Gray squirrels in the Carolina’s is typically born around Valentine’s Day. Sometimes they can arrive earlier or later depending on the climate of the preceding season or seasons. The gestation period of a gray squirrel is approximately 44 days. If you subtract 44 days from February 14th that would put the time of conception approximately around New Year…go figure. Happy New Year!!

If you have squirrels nesting in the attic, don’t wait for the squirrels to gnaw, give us a call! 704-777-8003