Silver Bullet Pest ControlStraight answers from Silver Bullet Pest Control, a licensed exterminator based in Garfield, NJ, serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Call or text 973-510-2585. Hablamos español.
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Text a photo of what you're seeing and we'll tell you what it is and what to do.
To keep squirrels and raccoons out, take away the way in and the reason to stay: trim branches back from the roof, cap the chimney, screen vents with heavy mesh, fix loose soffits and fascia, lock trash cans and don't leave pet food outside. Check the roofline every spring and fall. If an animal is already inside, call Silver Bullet Pest Control at 973-510-2585 before sealing anything.
Almost every squirrel and raccoon problem in an attic starts at the roof edge. Walk around the house with binoculars and look at:
A small hole the size of a golf ball is enough for a squirrel. Raccoons need more, but they make their own by tearing.
| Fix | Stops | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Trim branches 6 to 8 feet from the roof | Squirrels jumping on | Also cut back limbs over the roof |
| Stainless chimney cap | Raccoons, squirrels, birds | Fastened to the flue, not just set on top |
| Heavy wire mesh over vents | Squirrels and raccoons chewing in | Use 1/2-inch galvanized mesh or vent guards |
| Repair soffit and fascia | Squirrels entering at corners | Replace rotted wood before sealing |
| Locking trash lids | Raccoons | Bungee the lid or keep cans in the garage |
| No food outside at night | Raccoons, skunks, rats | Bring in pet food and clean the grill |
The three situations behind most of these calls in North Jersey:
We get squirrels out with one-way doors and seal the roofline so they can't chew back in. Exclusion, not relocation.
Raccoons tear their way in and do real damage. We remove them from the house and close the opening with heavy-duty materials.
Ground animals cause foundation and yard problems. We find where they live and block access so they move on.
Late winter to spring (February to May): mother squirrels and raccoons look for a safe place to have babies, and attics are perfect. This is the most important time to have the roofline sealed.
Summer: second squirrel litters; raccoons move young around. Watch for new chewing.
Fall (September to November): squirrels store food and look for winter shelter. Gutters full of leaves and acorns invite them onto the roof.
Winter: squirrels don't hibernate; they stay active in attics on cold days. Raccoons sleep for long stretches in cold snaps but don't truly hibernate either.
We're licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife and use exclusion, not trap-and-relocate.
Keep tree limbs about 6 to 8 feet from the roof so squirrels can't jump on.
Use cans with tight lids and bungee cords. Raccoons learn trash night fast.
A sturdy chimney cap keeps out raccoons, squirrels and birds.
Look for chewed soffit corners, loose vents and gaps at roof returns each spring and fall.
Tell us what you're seeing and where. A photo often lets us identify the pest right away. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.
A licensed tech finds the source: where the pest lives, how it gets in and what draws it.
We use the right method for the pest, placed where it works and kept away from kids and pets.
We close entry points and tell you what to change so the problem doesn't come back.
Call or text 973-510-2585 for the fastest answer, or tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you quickly.
🔒 Your info stays private · Hablamos español.
Trim tree branches back 6 to 8 feet from the roof and remove easy routes like overhanging limbs and wires close to the house.
Install a sturdy stainless chimney cap fastened to the flue. Check first that no raccoon is inside.
Late winter and spring, when mothers look for nesting spots, and again in fall.
Heavy galvanized wire mesh or purpose-made vent guards. Window screen and plastic get chewed through.
Yes, if the opening is still there and food is easy. Sealing and securing trash breaks the habit.
Only if you're sure nothing is inside. Otherwise call so the animal can leave through a one-way door first.
Yes. We look at every return, vent, soffit and chimney, not just the hole you found.
No. We use exclusion so animals leave and can't return.
Based in Garfield, we serve these towns and the rest of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B
