SQUIRRELS IN THE ATTIC
Squirrels in the Attic in Central Florida
Scampering in the ceiling while you're having breakfast? Here's how to tell it's squirrels, when to expect a litter and how to keep them out after.
- Daytime noise
- Spring and fall litters
- Roofline sealing
- Same-Day Service
- Free Inspection
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How do I know if squirrels are in my attic?
Squirrels are noisy in the daytime, unlike rats. Listen for running in the ceiling after sunrise, look for a chewed opening at the soffit or roof edge, and watch for squirrels using the same spot on the roof. Litters come in spring and autumn. See squirrel removal or call (844) 264-6254.
- Noise in daylight
- Chewed roof-edge hole
- Litters spring and fall
- Seal it to last
What to check
Signs it's squirrels
Daytime running
FWC describes gray squirrels as active during the day. Noise overhead in daylight points to them.
A favorite spot on the roof
Watch the roof for a while. Squirrels coming and going from the same corner, vent or tile are using it as a door.
Chewing marks outside
FWC says a squirrel's front teeth grow constantly, so it chews. Fresh gnawing on fascia, soffit or vent edges is a strong clue.
A tree touching the roof
FWC recommends keeping limbs trimmed well back from the roof. A branch over the house is the usual way up.
Listen
When squirrels make noise
Early morning
Gray squirrels are active by day, so the attic often wakes up with you: running, scratching and the thump of a squirrel landing on the roof.
Midday and afternoon
More trips in and out, and gnawing. FWC says a squirrel's front teeth grow constantly, so chewing never really stops.
After dark
Gray squirrels are usually settled for the night. Light activity at night points to rats or flying squirrels, which UF/IFAS describes as nocturnal.
Spring and autumn
FWC says those are litter seasons. Steady activity from one spot in those months can mean a nest of young.
Squirrel or something else?
Gray squirrel, flying squirrel or rat?
When
- Daytime
- Night
- Night
Removable as a nuisance
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes (can't be released)
Litters
- Spring and autumn
- Spring and autumn
- Up to 8 a year
FWC treats both gray and flying squirrels as nuisance animals when they get into a building. If the noise is light scratching at night, also read about rats in the attic and flying squirrels in Florida.
What they're doing up there
What squirrels do to an attic
- Chewed wiring. FWC lists chewing damage, from plants to vehicle wires, among frequent squirrel complaints, and suggests covering wires and PVC where squirrels reach them.
- Nesting. FWC notes gray squirrels sometimes nest in attics when they can get in, and the insulation gets flattened and soiled.
- A bigger family. FWC says Florida squirrels tend to breed twice a year. A winter squatter can be a mother with young by spring.
- An open roof. Every chewed opening lets in rain and the next animal.
When it can't wait
Call right away if
A squirrel is loose indoors
Move pets to another room, close the inside doors and open an outside door or window so it can find its own way out, as FWC suggests. Then find out how it got in.
Wires are chewed
Exposed wiring in the attic needs an electrician's eye, and the squirrels need to go before they chew more.
Babies are crying
Young left in the attic after the mother is shut out will die there. Don't close the hole until you know.
Florida rules
The rules if you're thinking of trapping
- Gray and flying squirrels can be taken as nuisance animals. Fox squirrels can't be hunted in Florida, and the threatened Big Cypress fox squirrel can't be trapped or removed without a permit.
- Cage traps must be checked at least once every 24 hours.
- A trapped squirrel can be released on site, on 40+ acres in the same county with the landowner's written permission, or humanely put down. Releasing it at a park isn't allowed.
- New FWC trapping rules start December 31, 2026. They change trap check times, allow remote (camera) checks, and require most people who trap to complete FWC's annual registration and training, which FWC says is at no cost. A homeowner using one regular-size cage trap (door up to 20 by 28 inches) on their own property, to catch nuisance or non-native wildlife, doesn't need registration, training or reporting. Nuisance animals moved off site must be released or put down within 12 hours of the trap check, down from 24. Details at MyFWC.com/TrappingRules.
What it usually takes
Squirrels out, roof closed: the usual order
- 1
Inspection
Find every chewed hole and weak vent, and check for young.
- 2
Removal
A one-way door or cage traps until no squirrels are left inside.
- 3
Sealing
Chewed holes covered with material that can't be chewed again.
- 4
Walk-through
Nests, droppings and soiled insulation shown to you.
After they're out
Sealing the attic
Once the squirrels are gone, the chewed openings have to be sealed with something stronger than the wood they chewed through, or they'll chew through it again. Rotted wood is a repair the owner arranges with a contractor. Squirrel nests, droppings and urine soak into insulation, and the CDC's advice for rodent waste applies to anyone handling it: don't sweep or vacuum it dry, wet it with disinfectant first, and wear gloves. The full process is on our squirrel removal page.
- Attic vents and screens checked
- Overhanging branches flagged for trimming
FAQ
Squirrels in the attic: common questions
Why do squirrels get into attics?
For a dry, protected nest site close to food. FWC says squirrels occur in woodlands and urban areas, especially near pines, oaks and hickories, and sometimes nest in attics when they can get in.
When do squirrels have babies in Florida?
FWC says Florida squirrels tend to breed twice a year, producing litters in spring and autumn. Those are the months to check for young before closing anything.
Will squirrels leave the attic on their own?
They leave every day to feed, then come back. Closing the hole while they're out, without checking for young first, can trap a litter inside.
Can squirrels chew through wiring?
Yes. FWC names chewing on everything from plants to vehicle wires as a common squirrel complaint, and suggests covering wires and PVC pipe where squirrels can reach them. If you see bare wire in the attic, have it checked. See squirrels chewing wires.
Do squirrels carry diseases?
The CDC lists squirrels among the rodents that can spread rat-bite fever through bites, scratches, or contact with saliva or urine. Don't handle squirrels or their nests bare-handed.
How do I keep squirrels off my roof?
Trim branches well back from the roof, as FWC recommends, and close damaged soffits, vents, loose tiles and gaps where the roof meets the wall.
Can I trap the squirrel myself?
Florida allows cage traps for nuisance gray and flying squirrels, checked at least once every 24 hours. A trapped squirrel can only be released on site, on 40 acres or more in the same county with written permission, or humanely put down. Fox squirrels can't be hunted, and the threatened Big Cypress fox squirrel can't be trapped without a permit. See the rules above.
What if the squirrel is inside the house, not the attic?
FWC's advice: move pets to another room and open an outside door or window so the squirrel can find its own way out.
Reviews
What customers say
- ★★★★★
Pro Wildlife Removal provided the service as written in the proposal. Several animals (squirrel/armadillo) were caught and removed. The roof entry points were blocked as indicated. Antimicrobial treatment in the attic as well.
ER Myers
- ★★★★★
I had issues with squirrels secreting themselves under my tile roof. Josh and his associates competently/professionally sealed off all ingress locations thus preventing any squirrel inhabitation. Tangentially, they returned on numerous occasions at my behest to reassure me that although I may see squirrels on my roof they were not entering any crevices and/or secreting themselves under my tile roof. On each return occasion the associate re-examined all locations that had been closed. On every return the associate was professional in nature and interfaced with me in a convivial manner. I am appreciative of their commitment to mission and would highly recommend them.
Larry A.
- ★★★★★
Steve, did an excellent job getting rid of the squirrels in my attic. He installed a one way valve for the squirrels to exit and they couldn't get back in. They were gone in less than a week. He also patched the hole and disinfected the attic when he was done. Job well done. Would highly recommend Pro Wildlife Removal!!
Phil Hess
Read more
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Read moreSquirrels in the ceiling?
Call (844) 264-6254. Mention the season, so babies are part of the plan.
Serving Central Florida: Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Polk and Marion counties.