Squirrels in the attic are one of the most common calls we get in Binghamton. The city's mature tree canopy — elm, oak, and maple throughout the Oak Hill, Robinson Street, and Riverside Drive neighborhoods — feeds dense grey squirrel populations. All they need is a gap in the soffit, a loose attic vent, or a rotted fascia corner, and they are inside. Once in, they nest, chew wiring, and destroy insulation fast.
Flying squirrels are a different problem most homeowners never expect. They are nocturnal, small enough to squeeze through a gap the size of a dime, and often dismissed as mice until we identify them. If you are hearing rapid scurrying or rolling sounds in your walls after dark, flying squirrels are the first thing to consider in Binghamton's wooded older neighborhoods.
Eastern Grey Squirrels are active year-round in Broome County. They nest twice a year — late winter and midsummer — and attic entry most often happens in January-February and again in June-July when they are seeking nesting sites. Common entry points on older Triple Cities homes include:
The chewing is the real danger. Squirrels in an attic will gnaw on electrical wiring — live wiring. It is a documented cause of house fires. The moment you hear daytime scratching and running sounds from the attic, call us.
Southern Flying Squirrels are common in the wooded older neighborhoods of Binghamton, Vestal, and the hillside areas around the city. They are strictly nocturnal, which is why homeowners rarely see them. Colonies can be large — 10 to 20 individuals in one attic is not unusual. They are vocal at night with high-pitched chirps and rapid movement sounds.
Flying squirrels need smaller gaps than grey squirrels to enter — about 1 inch is enough. That makes them harder to exclude without a thorough inspection. We find every gap. We have to, because missing even one entry point means the colony continues.
We combine live trapping with exclusion. Trapping removes the animals already inside. Exclusion — sealing every entry point after the squirrels are out — prevents reinfestation. We do not do one without the other. Sealing without trapping first leaves animals inside to die in the walls. Trapping without sealing means the next squirrel moves in within weeks.
After removal, we assess the attic for nesting material, insulation damage, and any wiring the squirrels have chewed. If the damage is significant, we can coordinate with our attic restoration service for insulation replacement and cleanup.
Squirrels are almost always daytime noise — you hear them in the morning, during the day, and occasionally at dusk. Bats are quiet until they leave at dusk and return before dawn. If you hear rapid scratching and running sounds during the day, it is almost certainly squirrels or grey squirrels. Nighttime running and rapid scurrying is more likely flying squirrels or bats. We can tell the difference quickly on inspection.
Yes. Squirrel gnawing on electrical wiring in attics is a documented cause of house fires. If squirrels have been in your attic for more than a few weeks, have the wiring inspected. We note any visible wire damage during our attic assessment and advise accordingly.
Depends on the size of the entry point problem and how long the squirrels have been active. Most jobs run $300–$800 for trapping and exclusion. Attic insulation damage and cleanup is additional. We quote after inspection.
Related services: bat removal Binghamton NY · attic restoration after squirrel damage
Same-day inspection. Trapping, exclusion, wiring assessment. Serving all of Broome County.
(607) 251-0096