What Is Squirrel Exclusion Work?

Exclusion is the most critical step in squirrel control — and the one most DIY attempts skip. It involves identifying and sealing every potential entry point on your home's exterior with professional-grade, chew-proof materials. Without exclusion, removing squirrels is temporary — new ones will simply move in through the same holes.

Why Exclusion Is More Important Than Removal

Many homeowners focus on "getting the squirrels out." But that's actually the easy part. The hard part — and the part that determines whether your problem is truly solved — is making sure no squirrel can get back in. That's exclusion.

Think of it this way: if you bail water from a leaking boat but don't plug the holes, the boat will keep filling. Exclusion plugs the holes.

What Materials Do We Use?

We use only professional-grade, chew-proof materials:

• Heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh: Squirrels cannot chew through this. It's our primary exclusion material for covering gaps, vents, and openings.
• Solid metal flashing: Used for larger gaps, especially where rooflines meet soffits or where chimneys meet the roofline.
• Wildlife-proof sealants: Specialized caulks and sealants that resist chewing and weathering.

We never use foam, wood, or plastic for exclusion — squirrels chew through these in minutes. If a previous contractor sealed your home with expanding foam, that's likely how squirrels got back in.

Common Louisville Exclusion Points

In our 15+ years serving Louisville homes, these are the most common areas requiring exclusion:

• Soffit-to-fascia gaps: The #1 entry point, especially on homes built before 1990
• Gable vents: Original metal or wood vents deteriorate over time
• Ridge vent gaps: Small openings along the roof peak
• Chimney-to-roof intersection: Gaps in the flashing or mortar
• Roof-to-wall connections: Where additions or dormers meet the main structure
• Plastic roof vents: Squirrels can chew through plastic in minutes

Exclusion vs. One-Way Doors

These work together as part of our removal process:

1. First, we seal all secondary entry points with exclusion materials
2. Then, we install a one-way exclusion door at the primary entry — letting squirrels exit but not return
3. After confirming all squirrels are gone, we remove the one-way door and seal that final point

The result: every possible entry is sealed with chew-proof materials, and our lifetime warranty guarantees it.