Is there any danger to having squirrels living in the attic?

Question

I told my landlord, but he just put mothballs there---didn't help one bit!! There is a hole he needs to repair--but I guess he is too lazy. They are very noisey at times--fighting, running..I realy don't mind so bad--but are there any dangers? Are they pooping up there???

Answer 1

Yup, they are pooping, peeing and breeding up there. They will chew several entrance holes into your attic. They will chew up your electrical wiring, which could cause a fire. They will also migrate down into your house looking for food. Did I mention mites? You really need to have them removed.

Answer 2

Not sure about any actual danger involved, but the irritation factor can get quite high occasionally. I have a couple of red squirrels, the little ones that look like chipmunks with long furry tails, living in and out of the upper areas of my roof. Suggest to your landlord that he might try a few drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball or two instead of the moth balls. Moth balls actually evaporate in a short time if exposed to the outside air. Squirrels and rodents in general really dislike the odor of peppermint, thinking of planting it all around my house next spring. Good luck.

Answer 3

The only danger is the damage they will do to the house and the roof. Usually they enter an attic through holes gnawed into the the soffit or the fascia. Sometimes they gnaw entrances in other places, but usually enter into the attic where they set up housekeeping. To minimize and possible future damage, you should find out where the enter and exit. have the animales trapped and relocated, then cap the hole or redo the woodwork in that area.

Good luck.

Answer 4

If i go into the attic when one is there do they attack? I am an older person and to get to this part of the attic I need to bend over to get in there through a very small door. Yes I am afraid of anything with teeth if it gets cornered.

Answer 5

squirells are a cute rodent. they can carry rabies,but so can cats, dogs,people, other then that it is not your house so dont worry about any damage to the house all the squirells are doing is storing there food eating living its a dry accisble area for them. sit and observe them make them kinda a pet when they are use to you they will come right up looking for food. get penuts in the shell.
i wouldnt worry about the squirrels ide be more concerned about a lazy landlord think of it this way if you havesquirrels in the attic you wont have a hornets nest.

Answer 6

I don't know where you live but you can go to the feed store and get bar bait and throw it in the attic. they will be gone. It makes them horrible thirsty and they will leave the attic to go look for water and die.

They will have babies up there and it will be nasty along with the urine and feces. Chewing through the wires couuld cost the landlord a bunch of money. I would relay that to him again and let him know in you lease it states that if the house comes infested with critters that he is to take care of it. read your lease first of course. Make him accountable for the problem!!!!

Answer 7

Yes they are pooping up there and YES there are dangers involved with any animal living in the attic - chewing on wires and causing fires - death - smell - bugs!@~

Answer 8

They are living up there, honey; pooping, breeding, etc. The hole needs to be repaired. If your landlord won't do it, you do it, and charge him for the costs of repair.

Answer 9

Yes ,I had some in an apartment on the 3rd floor. They chewed through my phone wired,and possiblly frayed some electrical wires also. That could cause a fire.

Answer 10

your landlord should be fixing the hole. landlords are also responsible for getting rid of the squirrels. don't let them get away with doing nothing! get them out because you could have so many potential problems :(