Signs of Squirrels in Walls and What to Do About It

By Vulcan Termite | March 14, 2024

If you hear squeaks and scratches coming from behind the walls in your home, don’t worry; you’re probably not crazy. We’re not qualified to guarantee your sanity, but it’s far more likely that the noises are coming from a squirrel or a few squirrels that have moved in!

Hearing or discovering the aftermath of squirrels scurrying between walls of homes and buildings is not an uncommon experience. Still, if you suspect this is occurring in your home or business place, you’re probably wondering: why and how did they get in there, and how do I get them out?

Signs of Squirrels in Walls

Again, the most common sign that you’re hosting a bushy-tailed squirrel or family in the walls of your home is hearing them crawling in there. They’re active, quick-moving, even jittery creatures that can easily make a ton of noise.

Here are a few other common signs of squirrels in walls:

A horrid scent coming from a wall: Squirrels are wild animals; believe it or not, they do not take baths or showers! They stink. Also, squirrels in walls sometimes die there. As you can imagine, that smell is more than a little unpleasant and will linger until you have someone remove the remains.

A horrid scent coming from a wall: Squirrels are wild animals; believe it or not, they do not take baths or showers! They stink. Also, squirrels in walls sometimes die there. As you can imagine, that smell is more than a little unpleasant and will linger until you have someone remove the remains.
Chewed-up property: Finding chewing damage can be a sign of the presence of all kinds of rodents, including squirrels.
Repeat guests: It may not be a coincidence if you think you recognize the same squirrel skittering away when you go outside. The familiar faces of squirrels on your lawn may be the same ones making a racket in your home’s walls.
Droppings: Stinky squirrel poop in or around your house is another obvious sign that you have unwelcomed squirrel guests squatting in the walls.
Squirrel tracks: If you find unfamiliar, tiny paw prints on floors inside or on the deck outside your home, they could be from squirrels.
“Water” damage: As if we didn’t gross you out enough already in the previous points, squirrels can trick you into thinking your plumbing system is leaking when they have urinated inside the walls or ceilings where the scaffolding is. So, if a mysterious leak has no reasonable connection to your plumbing, give it a whiff. You’ll quickly know if it’s really “water”…or not.

Why Do Squirrels Get in the Walls?

The answer to this question is quite simple: Squirrels need shelter and places to nest. If they can chew their way through your roof or find another entrance, they’ll find that the space between your home’s walls is a perfect little nesting nook.

How to Get Squirrels Out of Walls

Removing squirrels from between walls isn’t always easy. The between-wall cavity seals everything off except for whatever small crack squirrels crawl through to enter. You’ll either have to enter from above on the roof or in the attic or bust a hole in the drywall.

For strongly entrenched squirrels, an exterminator may be needed to help eliminate them from walls.

Preventing Squirrels in Walls

Squirrels will slip into your home however they can. Check for the chewing damage, gaps in garage doors, roof damage, signs of squirrels in the attic—and repair, fill, and reinforce these entry points so squirrels (or pests) can’t come back through there.

Thanks for reading! Check out our pest blog to learn more about the pests and other creatures found in Alabama.