SQUIRREL REMOVAL IN COLUMBIA, SC

Professional Squirrel Removal, Exclusion & Prevention

Hearing scratching, running or chewing noises above your ceiling during the day? You may have squirrels in your attic.

Carolina Critters provides professional squirrel removal in Columbia, SC and surrounding Midlands communities. We inspect homes and businesses for squirrel activity, locate entry points, address the wildlife problem and provide exclusion solutions designed to help keep squirrels from getting back inside.

CALL: 803-528-2828

REQUEST INSPECTION

Hearing Squirrels in the Attic?

Scratching and running noises above the ceiling are among the most common signs of squirrels occupying an attic.

Unlike many nuisance animals that are primarily active at night, squirrels are generally active during the daytime.

Homeowners may notice activity early in the morning and again throughout daylight hours.

Common sounds can include:

- Scratching above ceilings

- Fast running or scampering

- Chewing or gnawing

- Movement inside walls

- Activity near soffits or rooflines

- Repeated noises around the same area of the attic

- Chirping or other vocalizations

The time of day you're hearing the activity can provide an important clue about what may be living above your ceiling.

If you're consistently hearing fast movement in the attic during daylight hours, squirrels may be responsible.

Signs You May Have Squirrels in Your Home

You don't necessarily have to see a squirrel enter your house to know something is happening.

Squirrel activity can leave evidence both inside and outside the structure.

Common signs include:

- Scratching or running noises during the day

- Chewing sounds in the attic or walls

- Squirrels repeatedly traveling across the roof

- Squirrels disappearing into the same roofline area

- Chewed or damaged soffits

- Damaged fascia

- Openings around roof returns

- Damaged attic or gable vents

- Nesting material in the attic

- Disturbed insulation

- Droppings

- Chewed wood or other materials

- Visible entry holes

Seeing squirrels in your yard is completely normal.

Seeing one repeatedly disappear underneath your roof is another story.

Schedule a Squirrel Inspection →

how do squirrels get into attics?

Squirrels are excellent climbers.

Trees, fences, utility lines and nearby structures can provide access to a roof, where squirrels may investigate weak areas around the exterior of a home.

Some openings already exist because of construction gaps or damage.

In other situations, squirrels can gnaw and enlarge vulnerable areas to create enough room to enter.

Common squirrel entry points include:

- Soffit gaps

- Damaged fascia

- Roof returns

- Gable vents

- Attic vents

- Roofline gaps

- Construction gaps

- Damaged screening

- Openings where roof sections meet

- Areas of deteriorated wood

Finding the entry point is an important part of solving a squirrel problem.

Removing squirrels without addressing how they're entering can leave the home vulnerable to another wildlife problem.

Why Squirrels Chewing on Your Home Matters

Squirrels are rodents, which means their teeth continue growing throughout their lives.

Gnawing helps wear those teeth down.

Unfortunately, when a squirrel moves into an attic, there are plenty of materials available to chew.

Squirrels may gnaw on:

- Wood

- Roof components

- Vent materials

- Stored belongings

- Plastic

- Insulation

- Other accessible building materials

They may also encounter electrical wiring.

Because damaged wiring can create a potential safety concern, suspected squirrel activity inside an attic shouldn't simply be ignored.

If you're hearing persistent chewing or gnawing above your ceiling, having the area inspected can help determine what's happening.

Our Squirrel Removal Process

Every property and wildlife problem is different.

Carolina Critters develops an approach based on the conditions found during the inspection.

1. Inspect the Property

We inspect accessible areas for evidence of squirrel activity, including the attic and exterior portions of the structure when appropriate.

We're looking for activity, damage, nesting evidence and possible entry points.

2. Identify Squirrel Entry Points

We look for openings around soffits, fascia, vents, roof returns and other vulnerable areas that squirrels may be using.

3. Determine the Appropriate Removal Strategy

The proper wildlife-control approach depends on the location and circumstances of the squirrel activity.

The possibility of dependent young must also be considered.

4. Address the Squirrel Problem

Appropriate wildlife-control techniques are used based on the situation found at the property.

5. Exclusion & Entry-Point Repair

After the wildlife issue has been appropriately resolved, accessible entry points can be repaired or secured to help reduce the likelihood of squirrels getting back inside.

Removal + Exclusion = A More Complete Wildlife Solution

What If There Are Baby Squirrels in the Attic?

An attic can provide squirrels with a protected place to build a nest and raise young.

That means hearing several small noises or vocalizations in one concentrated area could indicate more than one animal is present.

This is one reason we don't recommend simply finding a hole and sealing it immediately.

If young squirrels are unable to leave the attic on their own, closing the adult's active entry point at the wrong time can separate the mother from her young or trap animals inside the structure.

A professional inspection can help determine what activity is present before exclusion work is completed.

Think you may have a squirrel nest? Call 803-528-2828.

Damage Squirrels Can Cause in an Attic

A squirrel infestation can become more than an annoying scratching sound.

Depending on the length and location of the activity, squirrels can potentially cause damage to several areas.

Chewed Entry Points

Squirrels may enlarge weak or existing openings around soffits, fascia and rooflines.

Damaged Insulation

Travel and nesting activity can disturb, compress or contaminate attic insulation.

Gnawed Materials

Wood, plastic and other accessible materials may show signs of chewing.

Wiring Concerns

Rodents may gnaw on accessible wiring, potentially damaging its protective covering.

Droppings & Urine

Squirrels occupying an attic can leave waste around nesting and travel areas.

Nesting Material

Leaves, insulation and other materials may be gathered or rearranged to create nesting areas.

Addressing the wildlife activity early may help prevent an existing problem from becoming more extensive.

Squirrel Exclusion & Prevention

Getting squirrels out is only part of the job.

Keeping them out matters too.

If the opening they used remains accessible, another squirrel—or another type of wildlife—may eventually discover the same vulnerable area.

Carolina Critters takes a prevention-focused approach to wildlife control.

Depending on the property, our technicians may inspect:

- Soffits

- Fascia

- Roof returns

- Gable vents

- Attic vents

- Roof intersections

- Construction gaps

- Damaged screening

- Other accessible wildlife entry points

When appropriate, exclusion and repair solutions can be used to secure vulnerable areas and help reduce future wildlife entry.

Learn More About Wildlife Exclusion & Damage Repair →

Can Tree Branches Help Squirrels Reach Your Roof?

Absolutely.

Squirrels are natural climbers and jumpers.

Tree limbs extending toward or over a roof can provide convenient access to a home. Fences and other nearby structures can also help squirrels reach elevated areas.

Trimming vegetation doesn't guarantee squirrels won't reach a roof, but reducing convenient access routes may be one part of a broader wildlife-prevention strategy.

The more important step is making sure the structure itself doesn't provide an easy way inside.

Squirrels in Walls, Soffits & Other Areas

Not every squirrel problem is confined to the open attic.

Wildlife activity may sometimes be heard or discovered around:

- Wall cavities

- Soffits

- Roof overhangs

- Chimneys

- Garages

- Exterior structures

- Other protected areas

Determining where the animal is located—and how it entered—is important before attempting exclusion or repair work.

Why Choose Carolina Critters for Squirrel Removal?

Carolina Critters is a local, family-owned wildlife removal company serving Columbia and surrounding Midlands communities.

When squirrels get into your home, we don't want to simply make the scratching stop.

We want to understand why it started.

Thorough Wildlife Inspections

We inspect accessible areas for squirrel activity, damage and potential entry points.

Humane Wildlife Solutions

We use appropriate wildlife-control techniques with an emphasis on responsible and humane solutions.

Removal + Exclusion

When appropriate, we address both the wildlife problem and the structural vulnerabilities contributing to it.

Local Wildlife Experience

We understand the nuisance wildlife and common structural entry points found around South Carolina homes.

Family-Owned & Locally Operated

We're a local family business serving homeowners and businesses throughout the Columbia area.

Licensed & Insured

Carolina Critters is licensed and insured for your protection.

Squirrel Removal Throughout Columbia, SC & the Midlands

Carolina Critters provides squirrel removal, exclusion and prevention services throughout Columbia and surrounding South Carolina communities, including:

Columbia • Lexington • West Columbia • Cayce • Irmo • Forest Acres • Blythewood • Chapin & Surrounding Areas

Not sure if we service your location?

Call Carolina Critters at 803-528-2828.

Why are squirrels chewing on my house?

As rodents, squirrels naturally gnaw. They may chew vulnerable wood, soffits or other materials and can enlarge existing openings to gain access to protected spaces.

Can I just close the hole squirrels are using?

Don't close a confirmed active entry point until you're sure animals aren't being trapped inside. Exclusion should be performed as part of an appropriate wildlife-control strategy.

Do squirrels leave the attic on their own?

Squirrels may leave the attic during the day to search for food and water; but that doesn't mean they have permanently left your home. If an attic provides a safe nesting or shelter area, squirrels may continue returning through the same entry points.

What time of day are squirrels active in an attic?

Squirrels are generally active during daylight hours. Homeowners may notice significant activity in the morning or at other times during the day. The timing of attic noises can help distinguish squirrels from some nocturnal wildlife.

Can squirrels have babies in my attic?

Yes. Attics can provide protected nesting areas. The possibility of dependent young should be considered before an active entry point is sealed.

Will removing a squirrel solve the problem permanently?

Not necessarily. If the entry point remains accessible, wildlife may enter again. That's why exclusion and prevention are important parts of a complete squirrel-control plan.

How do I know if squirrels are in my attic?

Common signs include scratching, scampering or chewing noises during daylight hours, squirrels repeatedly traveling across the roof, damaged soffits or vents, nesting material, droppings and visible entry holes.

Can squirrels damage electrical wiring?

Squirrels and other rodents may gnaw accessible wiring. If you suspect wildlife has been active around electrical components, the situation should be evaluated and any electrical damage addressed by an appropriate professional.

Does Carolina Critters provide squirrel removal outside Columbia?

Yes. We serve Columbia and numerous surrounding communities throughout the Midlands. Call 803-528-2828 to confirm service availability for your property.

Frequently Asked Questions About Squirrel Removal

Got Squirrels? Call Carolina Critters.

That scratching above your ceiling isn't going to repair the hole the squirrels used to get inside.

If you suspect squirrels are living in your attic, soffit, walls or another part of your property, let Carolina Critters help determine what's happening.

We'll inspect the accessible areas, identify signs of activity, look for potential entry points and develop an appropriate removal and prevention strategy.

Professional Squirrel Inspection • Removal • Exclusion • Prevention

Local • Family-Owned • Licensed & Insured

Serving Columbia, SC & Surrounding Areas

CALL 803-528-2828

REQUEST A SQUIRREL INSPECTION

Got Squirrels? Call Carolina Critters.