Having squirrels on your roof and in your gutters can be both annoying and dangerous. Not only do they leave behind unsightly messes, but they can also cause serious damage to your home due to their chewing habits especially if left unchecked for long periods.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to ensure that these furry critters stay away from your house. In this guide, we’ll provide you with several helpful tips and tricks on how to keep pesky squirrels out of your gutters and off of your roof.
How Do I Keep Squirrels Out of My Gutters and Off My Roof?
If you are seeing squirrels utilizing your roof or gutters as their pathways, then there are a few ways you can go about discouraging them from making it their home. Start by installing repellents around the base of your roof and in your gutters. These liquids, sprays, or granules will keep them away due to the scent they give off.
Additionally, strategically placed bird feeders and nesting boxes around the property will provide a more desirable location for the animals and away from your roof.
Not only is this helpful to them, but it will also create a beautiful addition to your backyard! Make sure to clean out these items regularly as old food can be an attractant. Lastly, if none of these deterring tactics are working, you might want to look into fencing off any trees that are near the house, providing no easy way up.
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How do you Stop Squirrels from Chewing on Gutters?
Keeping squirrels away from your gutters can be accomplished through a combination of mechanical and chemical measures. A hardware cloth or sheet metal put on the underside of the gutter is an excellent way to block off entrance for most critters, including squirrels. Also, applying specific formulations of sticky repellents on gutter edges will usually deter them from chewing, as it tastes bad and causes irritation in their mouth.
Additionally, you can use ultrasonic sound devices that register only to squirrel hearing, so when they approach your house, they hear the noise and flee in opposite direction. Taking these steps should help put an end to your ongoing gutter/squirrel battle.
Can Squirrels Chew through Aluminum?
It may surprise you to learn that squirrels can chew through aluminum. It’s not their favorite type of material to work with, but they have the ability due to the strength and sharpness of their incisors. Not only do their teeth allow them to gnaw on hard materials like tree bark, but these adaptations also give them the power to cause extensive damage when it comes to metallic surfaces as thin as aluminum.
Fortunately for us, squirrels don’t typically choose aluminum over other, more attractive materials; otherwise we’d be constantly fixing holes and defections in our backyard sheds and fences.
How do I Keep Squirrels off My Patio?
Keeping squirrels off a patio is important as they can cause damage and mess. One way to prevent them from entering the space is by placing barriers such as mesh or chicken wire over any vents or open spaces on the walls that could be accessed by squirrels. Additionally, you can use plants to form natural barriers thick shrubs, prickly cacti, or pungent herbs like mint or rosemary will help to make the area unappealing for the squirrels.
It is also important to remove all food sources don’t neglect bird feeders as these are likely areas for squirrels to congregate. Finally, as a last resort, you may decide to include one of the various types of repellents available which may contain odorous oils and other ingredients that deter unwanted visitors like squirrels.
What Scares Squirrels Away from Roof?
The first line of defense against these pesky little creatures is to make your roof harder to access. Start by trimming back any tree branches which provide a clear path up to the roof. Additionally, erecting a fence or even some netting around and below the edges of the roof can discourage them from attempting to climb up, as they prefer to leap on a direct route.
If that doesn’t do the trick, you could try adding some ultrasonic devices or decoy owl replicas in some locations on the property. Of course, there’s no one-size fits all solution each situation is different, but it’s certainly possible to deter these critters and keep the peace on your rooftop.
What is the Best Repellent for Squirrels?
Squirrels can be incredibly destructive when it comes to gardens and yard areas, so finding the best repellent for them is key. Repellents work by either generating a scent that squirrels find disagreeable, or tasteful flavors that will make an area unappealing for them to visit.
One of the most effective options is peppermint oil as its strong smell repels squirrels from settlements and the lingering effects of its taste will deter them from returning. Applying the oil near entry points in your garden and regularly re-applying it should help to keep pesky squirrels away.
Conclusion:
If you have squirrels in your gutters, on your roof, or anywhere else on your property, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. You can install a screen over the opening to your home, trim back trees and bushes that provide easy access to your roof, and seal up any cracks or holes that lead into your attic or crawl spaces. With a little effort, you can keep these pesky critters out of your gutters and off your roof for good.
