As the weather cools, squirrels and raccoons look for warm, quiet shelter, and your attic fits the description. Entry damage is often small at first, but animals can cause major problems once they move in. Humane removal combined with proper exclusion is the way to solve it for good.
Signs of Squirrels or Raccoons in the Attic
- Thumping, scratching or rolling sounds, often at dawn and dusk
- Heavy footsteps or dragging noises, which are more typical of raccoons
- Chewed wood, fascia, soffits or vents
- Droppings, nesting material or flattened insulation
- Strong odors
- Stained ceilings
- Visible damage at the roofline
Noises at night may point to raccoons, while daytime scratching often means squirrels, but it takes an inspection to be sure.
Why Fall Is a Busy Season
Animals are looking for warm, protected spaces, and some may be preparing nests. Squirrels can chew through soffits, vents and roof edges. Raccoons are strong enough to pull back loose materials and damaged roofing. Entry points left open after an animal is removed invite the next one.
Why Trapping Alone Isn’t Enough
Removing an animal without repairing how it got in only solves half the problem. A proper job includes:
- Inspection of the roofline, vents, soffits and attic.
- Identifying all entry points, not just the obvious one.
- Humane removal, which may involve one-way exclusion devices so animals can leave but not return.
- Sealing and repair with durable, chew-resistant materials.
- Attic cleanup, if needed, for droppings, urine and damaged insulation.
Mother animals may have young inside during parts of the year. Humane practice means making sure young aren’t left behind, and some species, such as bats, have legal protections and seasonal restrictions, so it’s important to work with a professional who understands the rules.
Contaminated Insulation Needs Attention
Animal waste, nesting and urine can contaminate insulation and leave lasting odors. If your attic has been damaged, our attic restoration and remediation service handles decontamination and insulation replacement after wildlife activity.
Different Animals, Different Solutions
Covenant’s wildlife control covers squirrels, raccoons, opossums and bats, always with an emphasis on humane removal and exclusion. If you’re specifically dealing with a raccoon, see our raccoon removal page. If the noises sound like flapping or you’ve found droppings near the roofline, it could be bats, so our bat removal page explains that process.
Wildlife Removal in Acworth, Kennesaw and Beyond
Homes near wooded lots and green space are especially likely to have wildlife visitors. We work with homeowners in Kennesaw, Woodstock, Canton and Marietta, as well as Acworth and the surrounding area.
Hearing something in the attic? Contact Covenant Pest Services for a free estimate or call (678) 437-1234 before fall damage gets worse.
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