Squirrels are fun to look at in nature. The way they move on the ground and the speed with which they climb a tree is a very rare sight to see. Of course, all this fun ends when these little rodents sneak into our home. In fact, squirrels can damage the attic and even destroy the objects present there, in particular paper and wood. But the biggest risk is that they can damage the insulation of the house, which means an increase in heating costs and electricity wires, which can cause fires. Some people spend thousands of dollars repairing the vapor barrier, replacing the insulation wool contaminated with urine and feces, plugging the holes, and painting the room. In this guide, you will learn how to repair squirrel damage and clean up their mess.

How to repair squirrel damage?
Squirrels are always looking for safe places to nest. They can cause serious damage to both the fascia and the soffit of a roof by chewing them, and inside by nesting, chewing insulation, and bringing in food. When repairing holes made by squirrels, it is important not only to repair the damage but also to replace the materials so that it does not happen again.

Seal holes:
Determine if there are squirrels inside your roof before fixing it. Repair a hole by covering it with aluminum foil, nailed or screwed on the hole, and cut to have an overlap of 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 inches) around the hole. Repair the vinyl siding by replacing the damaged vinyl sheet or patching it with another piece of vinyl.

Repair rotten parts of the soffit
Repair an edge or corner, either by shaping the part to fit the profile of the damaged area or by completely replacing the material in the damaged area. Repair the rotten parts of the soffit by removing all the rotten wood and enlarging the hole until there is only solid and healthy wood left. If possible, cut the wood to leave a square or rectangular hole that you can then repair with a piece of solid wood. Cover this patch with a large piece of aluminum.

Check for chewed wiring 
They can damage the vapor barrier and eat away at some electrical wires, which can cause fires. Use the flashlight to check the wiring. If you see that the wiring has been chewed by the squirrel, then contact an electrician to inspect the damage and make repairs where needed.

How to clean up their mess?

First, clean up urine and droppings.

Unwanted guests like squirrels leave behind more than ugly memories. Germs can remain in the urine and droppings even after the squirrel has been chased away, so carefully cleaning this is important.

Disinfect the whole area
Take a pair of rubber gloves and disinfectant. Do not try to clean areas stained by a squirrel with bare hands. Although a surface may appear relatively clean, it probably isn’t. To avoid contaminating other surfaces, periodically spray gloves with disinfectant, especially before touching clean surfaces such as door handles and cabinet handles.

Throw away the debris after disinfecting
Clean your attic and throw away the twigs and leaves squirrels use to build nests. Once the areas you want to clean are soaked with disinfectant, collect the residues, and put them in a plastic bag for disposal. 

Clean the affected area with a disinfectant mixture
After collecting debris such as squirrel nests, clean the cupboard shelves, countertops, and other areas with the disinfectant mixture. Use a disposable broom and paper towels or sponges that you can throw right away.