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Wildlife
in the Attic or Eaves
 Animals
like Gray squirrels and raccoons gain access through
pre-existing holes in rotten wood or loose boards.
An animal usually opts to take up residence in your
attic or eaves because he wants a dark, quiet, warm
place where he can be undisturbed. Fortunately, it
is relatively easy to convince the animal to relocate.
If it is winter, we recommend leaving the animal alone
until the season warms. He may have a hard time finding
a new home. In cases where there are baby animals,
wait until the young are grown and have left the nesting
area. It is also important to consider temperature
when baby animals are involved. If you are unsure
about the safety of the young wild animals, please
call (414) 431-6204 for advice. To get an animal to
leave on her own, take away the darkness, quiet and
any possible source of food. Make the area bright
with blinking, flashing or steady lights near the
animals. Make sure the light can't tip over and start
a fire! Keep continuous noise in the attic or eaves
by turning on a radio tuned to a talk or rock station
as loud as you reasonably can.
These same techniques can be used for birds after
nesting season is complete. Flaps, flutters or flashes
will help to keep them away and windsocks, ribbons,
foil dishes and wind chimes are very effective. These
methods will be more successful than repellent. Always
avoid toxic repellents.
After you suspect the animal has vacated, perform
a test before making permanent repairs. Cover the
entrance with paper. If the paper is undisturbed a
day later, solid repairs should begin immediately.
You can prevent the animal from gnawing on the repaired
area by attaching hardware cloth or other heavy wire
mesh over the problem area. Alternately, you can spray
the repaired area with a taste repellent like Ropel.
For a permanent solution, trim trees and branches
so that they are six or more feet away from your home.
Animals will be unable to use trees and branches as
a ladder to gain access to your home. Don’t
trim branches during the nesting season, which can
run from spring to early fall, unless you are sure
there are no baby animals inside your home. This will
prevent mother animals from caring for their young.
We discourage trapping
and moving animals. Doing so may cause young to be
orphaned and separates the animal from its known food
and shelter areas. Another animal may also move in
if the hole that allows the animal access is not properly
repaired.
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