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If you need professional squirrel removal, Quick Kill Exterminating Co. has been solving squirrel problems across Chicago’s North Shore and northwest suburbs since 1990. Eastern gray squirrels are the most common attic invader in our service area, and they cause more residential wildlife damage than any other species. As a result, our team handles more squirrel removal calls than any other wildlife service we offer. We combine professional trapping with permanent exclusion to get squirrels out and keep them out for good.
The suburbs we serve — from Winnetka and Lake Forest to Barrington and Schaumburg — provide ideal squirrel habitat thanks to their mature tree canopy. When natural nesting sites in tree cavities become crowded, or when females seek secure birthing dens in late winter and late summer, squirrels turn to residential homes. Consequently, attics, soffits, and crawl spaces become prime targets because they offer warmth, shelter, and safety from predators.
Squirrels gain access to attics and wall voids by exploiting weaknesses in your home’s exterior. Specifically, they chew through fascia boards, soffit panels, gable vents, attic louvers, and roof-edge trim. While aged or deteriorated materials make the job easier, squirrels can also gnaw through sound wood and even some metals when motivated.
In addition, overhanging tree branches provide direct aerial access to your roofline. Squirrels can jump six to eight feet horizontally from a branch to a roof surface. Once on the roof, they probe along edges, corners, and transitions until they find or create an opening.
The most common entry points include the junction where the soffit meets the fascia, gaps at dormer connections, and deteriorated gable vent screens. Similarly, damaged attic louvers, roof-edge trim that has pulled away, and areas where additions meet the original roofline are frequent access points. On older homes — particularly the 1950s and 1960s construction common throughout our service area — there are typically more vulnerabilities due to decades of settling and material deterioration.
Once inside, squirrels cause damage that can be extensive and expensive. They shred insulation to create nesting material, which reduces your attic’s thermal performance and increases energy costs. More importantly, they gnaw on electrical wiring — and according to the National Fire Protection Association, rodent damage to wiring is a contributing factor in residential fires.
Beyond the fire risk, squirrels also chew on wood structural members, PVC plumbing, and stored items. Their urine and droppings contaminate insulation and create persistent odor and sanitation problems. Furthermore, during birthing season a female with a litter can occupy an attic for weeks, generating substantial damage before the family becomes mobile enough to leave.
Squirrels are also creatures of habit. Once they establish an entry point and nesting location, they return to it year after year. Therefore, a single unresolved entry point can lead to repeated infestations across multiple seasons, with cumulative damage that escalates with each cycle.
Every squirrel removal job starts with a complete exterior inspection to identify all current and potential entry points. We check the entire roofline, all soffit and fascia connections, gable vents, attic louvers, dormer junctions, and chimney connections. Inside, we inspect the attic for nesting locations, droppings, damaged insulation, and chewed wiring.
Based on our findings, we install trap sets at the most effective locations and deploy one-way exclusion doors at primary entry points. These doors allow squirrels currently inside to exit but prevent them from returning. A licensed technician then checks traps daily, removes captured animals, and monitors progress until the infestation is fully resolved.
Trapping alone is not enough. Without sealing the entry points, new squirrels from the surrounding tree canopy will find the same openings within days. For this reason, exclusion is the most important part of every squirrel removal job we perform.
Once all squirrels are removed, we seal every entry point using heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh, metal flashing, and commercial-grade construction materials. We specifically select these materials because squirrels cannot chew or pry through them. As a result, our exclusion work comes with a two-year warranty — if a squirrel breaches our work during that period, we return at no additional cost.
After squirrel removal and exclusion are complete, we assess the damage inside your attic. Contaminated insulation may need partial or full replacement, and chewed wiring should be evaluated by an electrician. We clean up nesting material, droppings, and debris, and we can coordinate insulation replacement when needed.
Addressing contamination after squirrel removal is an important step that many homeowners overlook. Without it, you are left with degraded insulation performance and ongoing sanitation concerns that persist long after the animals are gone.
How do I know if I have squirrels in my attic?
The most common sign is scratching, scurrying, or scampering sounds coming from above your ceiling during the daytime. Squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours — particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. If you hear similar sounds at night, the animal is more likely a raccoon or mouse. You may also notice chew marks on exterior trim or find droppings in your attic.
When are squirrels most active in attics?
Squirrels have two primary nesting seasons: late winter (January through March) and late summer (August through September). During these periods, females seek secure spaces to birth and raise their young. However, squirrels can occupy attics year-round once they establish an entry point.
Can I just wait for the squirrels to leave on their own?
Waiting is not recommended. Squirrels do not voluntarily abandon a nesting site that provides warmth and shelter. Even if activity seems to decrease seasonally, they typically return. Meanwhile, the damage to wiring, insulation, and structural materials continues to worsen.
Will sealing the entry point trap squirrels inside?
No, because we use a staged approach. We install one-way exclusion doors that allow animals to leave but prevent re-entry. We also use trapping alongside exclusion to ensure all animals are removed before completing the final seal. Our technicians monitor the situation daily to prevent any animal from being trapped inside.
What materials do you use to keep squirrels from chewing back in?
We use heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh and metal flashing. These are professional-grade materials designed specifically for wildlife exclusion. Unlike hardware cloth, foam, or caulk, squirrels cannot defeat these materials.
Should I trim my trees to keep squirrels off my roof?
Trimming branches back six to eight feet from your roofline can reduce direct aerial access. However, squirrels also climb siding, downspouts, and other vertical surfaces. As a result, tree trimming alone is not a complete solution — exclusion of entry points is still necessary for lasting squirrel removal.
How much does squirrel removal cost?
Cost varies based on the number of entry points, the extent of the infestation, whether damage repair is needed, and the complexity of your roofline. We provide a free inspection and detailed estimate before any work begins. Call (847) 724-1511.
Call Quick Kill Exterminating at (847) 724-1511 or request a free quote online for professional squirrel removal across Chicago’s North Shore and northwest suburbs.