Chewed holes at the roofline
- Rounded hole in soffit or fascia
- Wood shavings in the gutter
- Stains around the opening
A squirrel can open a fist-sized hole in a weak corner of trim. Sealing it before winter keeps a family from moving in.
Silver Bullet Pest ControlBirds & Squirrels · Morristown · Morris County
Bird and Squirrel Entry Prevention in Morristown, NJ
Squirrels chewing into the eaves of an older Morristown home, or starlings building nests in the dryer vent and bathroom fan? Silver Bullet Pest Control finds every opening, gets the animals out the right way, and seals the house with covers and materials that birds and squirrels can't get past.
4.9 stars on Google • NJ License 90568B • Licensed by NJ Fish & Wildlife • 15+ years • Hablamos español
Text a photo of the hole, vent or nest to 973-510-2585 and we'll tell you what's using it.
- ✓ Same-day appointments often available
- ✓ Licensed & insured in NJ
- ✓ Homes & businesses
- ✓ English & Español
How do you prevent birds and squirrels from getting into a Morristown home?
Bird and squirrel entry prevention in Morristown means sealing every gap at the roofline, vents and chimney with chew-proof screen, flashing and proper vent covers — after making sure no animals or active nests are trapped inside. Squirrels are removed with one-way exclusion doors; birds are kept out with vent guards and screens. Silver Bullet Pest Control serves Morristown from our base in Garfield with visits scheduled ahead — call or text 973-510-2585 for a free quote.
Why Morristown homes see so many bird and squirrel problems
Morristown is the county seat of Morris County and one of the oldest towns in the state, and a lot of its housing shows it. Victorian and colonial-style homes near the Green, older two- and three-story houses on the side streets, and newer homes and townhouses toward the edges of town all have different weak spots:
- Older homes with ornate trim. Decorative eaves, cornices and wood soffits have joints that loosen over time. Squirrels widen them with their teeth; birds slip into the gaps behind trim.
- Many roof lines. Dormers, porch roofs and additions create corners where gutters, fascia and roof meet — the spot squirrels like to chew.
- Mature trees. Morristown's tree-lined streets and the wooded land around Morristown National Historical Park give squirrels an easy highway onto the roof.
- Vents everywhere. Dryer vents, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and gable vents without proper covers are favorite nesting spots for starlings and sparrows.
- Chimneys. Uncapped or damaged flue caps let birds and squirrels drop in.
Morristown is outside our core four counties, so we schedule visits ahead. Same-day service is sometimes possible — ask when you call.
Bird or squirrel? Tell them apart before sealing
The plan depends on which animal it is, so identification comes first:
| Clue | Squirrels | Birds (starlings, sparrows) |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds | Running, scratching and rolling sounds in the attic, mostly early morning and late afternoon | Chirping, fluttering, scratching inside a vent or wall, often at dawn |
| Entry point | Chewed, rounded hole at the roofline, soffit corner or gable vent | Uncovered dryer, bath fan or gable vent; gaps behind trim |
| What you see outside | Chew marks on fascia, squirrels on the roof or gutters | Grass, twigs and feathers sticking out of a vent |
| Damage | Chewed wood, wiring, duct and insulation | Blocked vents, droppings, mites, fire risk in dryer vents |
| Removal method | One-way exclusion door, then seal | Remove nest when allowed, clean, install vent guard |
Hearing heavier thumps at night instead? That's more likely raccoons — see raccoon proofing or what's that noise in the attic.
Signs birds or squirrels are getting in
Real photos from our wildlife jobs and educational material:
Babies inside the wall or attic
- Faint squeaking
- Adult going in and out often
- Late winter to spring or late summer
Sealing a hole with young inside traps them and the mother will tear her way back in. We check for babies before closing anything.
Every opening, not just one
- Roof vents and gable vents
- Plumbing stacks and chimney
- Gaps where roofs meet
Seal one hole and squirrels find the next. We inspect the whole roofline and give you a full list of openings.
Our bird and squirrel entry prevention process in Morristown
1
Full exterior inspection
We look at the roofline, soffits, fascia, gable and roof vents, chimney, dryer and fan vents, gutters and the spots where trees touch the house.
2
Get the animals out
Squirrels leave through a one-way door that lets them out but not back in. Birds are handled based on species and nesting status.
3
Seal and cover
Openings are closed with heavy-gauge screen and metal; vents get proper guards so they still vent; the chimney gets a secure cap if needed — we install chimney caps ourselves.
4
Clean and repair
Nests are removed, droppings cleaned and insulation replaced. We repair chewed soffit, fascia and trim ourselves, and we do attic insulation removal and replacement ourselves.
5
Final check
After the exclusion door has done its work, we confirm no activity and close the last opening.
More on how one-way doors work: one-way door squirrel exclusion.
Bird nests in vents: what's allowed and what's not
Birds are different from squirrels in one important way: many native birds and their active nests are protected by federal and state wildlife rules. That means you can't always just pull an active nest out of a vent. Common nuisance species like European starlings, house sparrows and pigeons are generally not protected the same way, which is why identifying the bird matters.
What we do:
- Identify the species and whether the nest is active.
- Remove nests and nesting material when it's allowed, and clean the vent so it works again.
- Install a proper guard on dryer, bathroom and kitchen vents and screen gable vents so birds can't return.
- When a protected bird is nesting, wait until the young have left, then seal.
Dryer vent blocked by a nest? Stop using the dryer until it's cleared — a packed vent is a fire risk. Learn about dryer vent covers.
Pigeons on a roof or ledge are a separate job; pigeon removal runs $400 to $1,000 depending on the building. See bird removal and vent replacement.
When birds and squirrels try to get in
🍂
Fall
Squirrels look for winter shelter and test every weak spot. The best time to seal is before the cold.
❄️
Late winter
Squirrels mate and the first litters are born in attics and walls — check for babies before sealing.
🐣
Spring
Birds nest in vents and gaps. Squirrel babies are growing. Expect lots of noise at dawn.
☀️
Summer
A second squirrel litter in many years. Good time to cap chimneys and guard vents before fall.
North Jersey's mix of mature oaks and maples means a big acorn year can bring more squirrels to the roof the following season.
What affects the cost of bird and squirrel entry prevention
We give a free quote after inspecting the house. Prices depend on:
- Number of openings. A house with one chewed corner costs far less than one with ten unguarded vents and gaps.
- Height and roof pitch. Three-story homes and steep roofs take more equipment and time.
- Removal needed. Whether animals are inside now, and whether there are babies.
- Repairs. Rotted or chewed fascia and soffit, damaged vents or insulation.
- Materials. Number of vent guards, chimney caps and screened vents.
Homes in Morristown's historic areas sometimes have trim details worth preserving. Tell us if appearance matters and we'll plan materials that blend in.
Related pages
Squirrel proofing in NJOur main squirrel exclusion pageChimney animal proofingCaps and chimney sealingBird nest removalNests in vents and guttersSquirrel-proof guttersStop roofline accessRat exterminator in MorristownRodent help in townWasp control in MorristownNests at the eavesMorris County service areaTowns we serve
Get a Free Bird & Squirrel Entry Prevention Quote
Tell us what you're hearing and where, and send a photo of the hole or vent if you can. We'll explain the plan and schedule a visit to Morristown.
Why Morristown homeowners call us
- Licensed by NJ Fish & Wildlife for wildlife work
- One-way exclusion — no trapping animals inside
- Vent guards, screens and chimney caps installed
- Attic cleanup and insulation replacement done by our team
- 4.9 stars on Google
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Bird & Squirrel Questions from Morristown
Do you serve Morristown?
Yes. We're based in Garfield and serve Morristown and other Morris County towns with visits scheduled ahead. Same-day service is sometimes possible, so call or text 973-510-2585 and we'll give you the earliest opening.
How do squirrels get into the attic?
Most squirrels get in at the roofline — a chewed soffit corner, a gap where a roof meets a wall, a gable or roof vent without a strong screen, or an uncapped chimney. Overhanging branches give them easy access to these spots.
How do I keep birds out of my dryer vent?
Install a vent guard made for dryer vents that keeps birds out but lets lint and air through. Never use fine window screen, which clogs with lint. If a nest is already inside, it needs to be removed and the vent cleaned before the guard goes on.
Can I just seal the hole the squirrel is using?
Not while the squirrel or its babies are inside. Sealing them in leads to chewing new holes, odor from dead animals, or a mother tearing through your trim. Use a one-way door first, then seal once they're out.
Is it legal to remove a bird nest from my house?
It depends on the bird. Many native birds and their active nests are protected, while starlings, house sparrows and pigeons generally are not protected the same way. We identify the species first and wait out protected nests when needed.
How long does squirrel exclusion take?
The sealing work is often done in a day. The one-way door then needs a few days for all squirrels to leave before the last opening is closed. Babies in the attic can add time.
What time of year is best for squirrel proofing?
Late summer and early fall are ideal, before squirrels settle in for winter and before the late-winter litters. That said, we seal homes year-round — we just plan around babies.
Will squirrels chew through the repair?
Not through the right materials. We use heavy-gauge screen and metal flashing that squirrels can't chew, fastened so they can't pull it loose, rather than foam or thin mesh.
Do you repair attic damage from squirrels and birds?
Yes. We remove soiled insulation, HEPA-clean and treat for odor, and replace the insulation ourselves. We also repair chewed soffit, fascia and trim ourselves after the animals are out, so one company handles removal, sealing and repair.
¿Ofrecen servicio en Morristown en español?
Sí. Sellamos casas contra ardillas y pájaros en Morristown, con citas programadas. Llame o mande texto al 973-510-2585. Hablamos español.
Wildlife entry prevention around Morristown
We serve Morristown and Morris County with scheduled visits, and our core area of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B