Key Winter Signs of Squirrels

• Tracks in snow: paired “bound” pattern; small front feet (4 toes), larger rear feet (5 toes) landing ahead of the front prints.
• Chewed entry points: fresh wood gnawing around roof edges, soffits, vents; holes about golf-ball size or larger.
• Daytime scurrying sounds: fast, light footsteps and rolling noises (nuts) in attic, mostly dawn and late afternoon.
• Nests (dreys): basketball-sized leaf/branch balls in trees; in attics, loose piles of insulation, leaves, and twigs.
• Food caches: piles of acorn or walnut shells, cone cores, or small soil divots where nuts were buried.
• Droppings: rice-sized, dark pellets with slightly pointed ends; often near travel routes or nesting spots.
• Grease rub marks: dark smudges from fur/oils around frequently used holes and beams.
• Odor/urine stains: musky smell; yellowing on insulation or ceiling below attic.
• Bark damage: fresh tooth marks, stripped bark, and shredded buds on trees.

Inside Your Home: What to Check

• Attic edges: gnawing on rafters, beams, and exposed wires (look for frayed insulation).
• Insulation: tunneled paths and flattened “runways.”
• Eaves/vents: loose screening, bent louvers, or missing vent covers.

Outdoors: Where to Look

• Tree-to-roof highways: overhanging branches leading to roof.
• Snow “runways”: repeated tracks between trees and structures.
• Shell middens: consistent piles beneath favorite feeding perches or logs.

Quick Confirmation Tips

• Flour test: sprinkle flour near suspected entry; check for bounding tracks.
• Trail camera: aim at eaves/attic vent for daytime activity.
• Tap test: light knock on attic access—squirrels often burst into rapid movement.

In winter, remove squirrels by humanely evicting them with a one-way exit door, then sealing every hole with metal, removing food sources, trimming access paths, and calling a licensed pro if babies are present or you’re unsure. Avoid poisons and relocation; both are often illegal and unsafe.

Step-by-Step Winter Removal

• Inspect at dawn/dusk for entry points: roof edges, soffits, attic vents, chimneys. Look for chew marks, droppings, and tracks in snow.
• Listen for high-pitched chatter or scratching. If you hear soft chirps, there may be young—do not seal yet.
• Encourage exit: keep attic bright (work light), noisy (radio), and drafty for 24–48 hours.
• Install a wildlife one-way door over the main hole so squirrels can leave but not re-enter. Keep it in place 3–5 days.
• Check local rules. Relocation and lethal traps are often illegal and inhumane, especially in cold weather.

Seal and Clean

• After activity stops, permanently seal all gaps larger than a finger with 1/4-inch galvanized hardware cloth and metal flashing; screw into framing.
• Cover attic and dryer vents with wildlife-proof vent covers; add a spark-arrestor chimney cap.
• Do not use mothballs. For odor, remove soiled insulation, HEPA-vac droppings, and treat surfaces with enzyme cleaner while wearing gloves and a respirator.

Prevent Return

• Remove food: secure trash, feed pets indoors, use squirrel-proof bird feeders with baffles placed 5 feet high and 10 feet from jump points.
• Trim branches back 8–10 feet from the roof; add a 24-inch-wide metal tree collar 6–8 feet up the trunk.
• Move woodpiles and storage 20 feet from the house; repair new chew marks promptly.
• Call a licensed wildlife professional if you suspect young, can’t access the area, or squirrels keep returning.