When the weather cools down across the Texas Hill Country, squirrels begin looking for a warm and safe place to nest — and unfortunately, that often means your attic. While these furry intruders might seem harmless at first, they can cause serious problems for homeowners. As trusted squirrel removal experts, the team at Varmint Masters is here to explain the hidden dangers of squirrels in your attic, why early detection is key, and what to do if you suspect an infestation.
Why Squirrels Love Attics
To squirrels, your attic feels like a perfect home. It’s warm, dry, and protected from predators — everything they need to survive the cooler months. Female squirrels in particular seek out attics to raise their young during nesting season. In areas like Boerne, Bulverde, and Spring Branch, the combination of oak trees and suburban homes creates the ideal environment for squirrel activity.
Unfortunately, once they move in, they can quickly turn from cute visitors to destructive pests.
The Damage Squirrels Can Cause
Squirrels are constant chewers. Their teeth never stop growing, so they gnaw on almost anything to keep them filed down — including the wooden beams, electrical wires, and insulation in your attic. Over time, that can lead to costly repairs and even dangerous fire risks.
- Electrical hazards: Squirrels often chew through wires, which can cause shorts or electrical fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, rodents are responsible for thousands of house fires in the U.S. every year.
- Structural damage: Their constant gnawing can weaken roof supports, soffits, and vents, creating new entry points for other pests.
- Contamination: Squirrels leave behind urine, feces, and nesting debris, which can harbor bacteria, parasites, and unpleasant odors that spread through your home’s HVAC system.
- Noise and disruption: The scratching, scurrying, and thumping sounds in your ceiling or walls can make it hard to sleep and cause unnecessary stress.
How to Tell If You Have Squirrels in Your Attic
Because squirrels are most active during the day, you might hear noises early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Common signs include:
- Scratching or chewing sounds coming from your attic or walls
- Droppings or shredded insulation near entry points
- Visible holes in your roofline, fascia, or vents
- Chewed wires or damaged insulation
- Nesting material made of leaves, twigs, or fabric
If you’ve noticed any of these issues, it’s time to call in professional squirrel removal experts. The longer you wait, the more extensive the damage can become — and squirrels reproduce quickly, meaning one problem can turn into an infestation within weeks.
Why DIY Squirrel Removal Is a Bad Idea
Trying to remove squirrels on your own can be dangerous and ineffective. Trapping without experience can lead to injuries or violations of wildlife laws, and sealing entry points before the animals are gone can trap them inside — causing odor problems and further damage.
Professional wildlife removal experts, like the team at Varmint Masters, have the knowledge, equipment, and humane techniques needed to handle the problem safely. We’re wildlife biologists by trade, which means we understand squirrel behavior, life cycles, and nesting patterns — helping us prevent future infestations, not just remove the current one.
Our Process for Safe and Humane Squirrel Removal
When you contact Varmint Masters, we’ll start with a detailed inspection of your property to identify entry points, nesting areas, and the extent of the damage. From there, we’ll create a customized plan for removal and exclusion.
Our process includes:
- Inspection: Locating every potential entry point and nesting site
- Removal: Using humane traps and one-way doors to safely evict squirrels
- Exclusion: Repairing and sealing all holes or gaps to prevent re-entry
- Decontamination: Cleaning up droppings, nesting material, and odors
- Prevention: Offering advice and solutions to keep squirrels out long-term
Protect Your Home Before It’s Too Late
Squirrel season may be temporary, but the damage they cause can last for years. Don’t wait until small noises in the attic turn into a full-blown infestation. Call the squirrel removal experts at Varmint Masters today and protect your home from costly damage and potential health hazards.
We proudly serve the greater San Antonio area and the entire Hill Country, including Boerne, Bulverde, Spring Branch, and surrounding communities. Learn more about our wildlife removal services or schedule your inspection online.
Trust your local wildlife biologists — trust Varmint Masters.
