Squirrel damage to a roof usually starts at an opening: a vent, a gap at the roof edge, or a spot the animal chews wider. Once inside the attic, squirrels can tear up insulation and chew wiring, and the opening they leave can let rain in too. The signs can be checked safely from the yard and inside, the hole itself should wait until the animals are out, and two different pros handle the two jobs. Animal removal is a wildlife professional’s job. Fixing the roof afterward is roof repair.
Can squirrels damage your roof?
Yes. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension says squirrels usually enter attics from the roof, often through poorly screened vents, and sometimes gnaw their way in. Once inside, they can badly damage attic insulation and gnaw electrical wiring. The entry hole itself is roof damage that needs repair.
The bigger risk to the roof is water. Any opening big enough for a squirrel is big enough for wind-driven rain, and a chewed vent or roof edge can let water reach the decking and the ceiling below. That is why the opening needs a proper roofing repair rather than being left alone once the noise stops.
Do squirrels chew roof shingles?
They can gnaw their way in, and AgriLife points to vents as a usual entry, with gnawing as the backup. So look for chewed or enlarged openings at vents, roof edges and soffits. You can check those spots from the ground.
AgriLife also notes that squirrels usually get into attics from the roof, especially where tree limbs overlap the roof line. If you see a squirrel route from a tree to the roof, the nearest roof edge and vents are the first places to look.
How can I tell if squirrels are in my roof?
Listen to when the noise happens. AgriLife says running or gnawing sounds from the attic during the day often mean squirrels, while running, squealing and gnawing at night usually point to rats. Then check safely: chewed spots seen from the yard, and stains on ceilings inside.
Safe checks that keep you off the roof and ladder:
- Note the time of day you hear scratching, running or gnawing overhead, for a few days in a row.
- From the yard, look at the roof edge, vents and soffits for chewed wood, torn screens or dark openings that were not there before.
- Look for squirrels running from tree limbs onto the roof.
- Inside, check ceilings below the noise for new water stains, especially after rain.
If you find a stain, our page on roof leak repair explains what a stain can mean. Leave anything on the roof itself to a professional.
Where do squirrels get into a roof?
AgriLife says squirrels usually get into attics from the roof, especially where limbs overlap the roof line, often through vents that are not adequately screened. Sometimes they gnaw their own opening. AgriLife says all entry points must be sealed to keep them out, so every one has to be found.
From our own jobs: squirrels usually get in at the roof edge. That means the gap between the shingles and fascia behind the gutter, soffit corners, and roof returns where a lower roof runs into a wall. Ridge vents and gable vents come next. They chew through rotted fascia or loose soffit panels fast, especially in fall and winter. AgriLife points to vents, while on our jobs the roof edge comes first.
Finding every opening is where a roof inspection helps. Our roof inspection page lists what we check: every penetration such as pipe boots, vents and flues; the drip edge and fascia at the roof edges; and, where access allows, the decking from inside the attic, including daylight where there should not be any. Every finding gets photographed.
A chewed vent or roof edge is roof damage even after the noise stops, and it can let water in. Our roof inspection photographs what it finds, and roof repair fixes the damaged roof parts. Tell us what you are hearing or seeing, and we will follow up about your free inspection.
Should the hole be sealed right away?
No. AgriLife says openings should not be sealed until the squirrels are out of the building, and describes a one-way door that lets them leave but not come back. Sealing too early can trap animals, including young, inside. Have a wildlife professional confirm the attic is clear first.
Timing matters because of when young are born. AgriLife lists these birth months for the three tree squirrels found in Texas:
| Squirrel (AgriLife) | Young usually born | Active |
|---|---|---|
| Fox squirrel (the most common tree squirrel in Texas) | March or April, and again in August or September | Daytime |
| Gray squirrel | September or October, and again in February or March | Daytime |
| Flying squirrel (the only one active at night) | April or May, and again in September | Night |
Between them, births fall in most months of the year, and AgriLife lists weaning at 6 to 12 weeks depending on the species. That is one more reason to leave removal, and its timing, to a wildlife professional.
Will a roofer remove the squirrels?
Removal is a wildlife professional’s job, and animal removal is not one of our services. Fox and gray squirrels are game animals in Texas, and AgriLife says anyone who wants to live-trap and relocate them should notify Texas Parks and Wildlife. The roofer’s part comes after.
A sensible order looks like this:
- A wildlife professional removes the animals and confirms the attic is clear.
- A roofer inspects the roof and attic, finds every opening and photographs the damage.
- The roofer repairs the damaged roof parts so the openings are closed with roofing materials.
- Overhanging limbs get cut back so the route to the roof is gone.
How do I deter squirrels from my roof?
AgriLife says squirrels usually get into attics from the roof, especially where limbs overlap the roof line, and recommends trimming them at least 8 to 10 feet from the roof. AgriLife calls making a building squirrel-proof the permanent solution, and that starts with removing the route and closing every opening.
Trimming limbs near a roof is work for a tree professional, not a ladder job for a homeowner. AgriLife also lists bird seed and garden produce among the foods squirrels go after, so a feeder close to the house gives them a reason to stay near the roof. It notes that no toxicants or fumigants are registered for tree squirrels in Texas, and that shooting them in urban areas is not advisable.
What does the roof repair look like once the squirrels are out?
It depends on what the inspection finds. A small chewed opening at a vent may mean replacing that vent, while chewing at the roof edge can reach the drip edge, fascia or decking. The goal is a repair with roofing materials that keeps out water and animals, documented with photos.
Ask for the findings in writing with photos before any work starts, so you can see each opening and what the repair covers. If the inspection turns up wider wear, the same photos help you decide between a repair and bigger work.
Source checked October 31, 2026: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Controlling Tree Squirrels in Urban Areas.
Close the openings squirrels leave behind
Openings animals leave in vents and roof edges can let water in long after the noise stops. Once the animals are out, a free inspection from our roof repair team shows which parts need fixing. Send us a note about the openings you found, and we will get back to you.