Roofer Sealed the Hole and the Squirrel Is Still in the Attic

Signs the squirrel was sealed inside

• Scratching or running in the attic or ceiling, mostly around sunrise and late afternoon
• Fresh chewing marks next to the new patch, on the outside or the inside
• Chewing sounds in one spot that get louder over a day or two
• Insulation or wood shavings falling from a ceiling light, vent or attic hatch
• A squirrel suddenly in the living space, a closet or the basement
• A few days later, a bad smell in one room (see smell after the hole was sealed)

What not to do

• Don't seal more holes. Every new patch makes it more likely the squirrel chews into the house instead of out.
• Don't use poison. A poisoned squirrel dies in the wall or attic, and the smell lasts for weeks.
• Don't open the ceiling yourself. A scared squirrel inside a living room is harder and more dangerous to deal with.
• Don't wait it out. Squirrels don't give up. They chew, and they can chew wiring while they do it.

What about the roofer's patch?

Often the patch itself is fine and only needs a one-way door next to it or through it for a few days. Sometimes the squirrel has already chewed around it, and that part has to be redone with metal behind it. We seal entry points with chew-proof materials and handle wildlife damage repair on fascia, soffits, roof vents and roof edges, so you don't need a second contractor to undo and redo the work. If the animal is a raccoon, read raccoon sealed in the attic; raccoons react differently.