Chewed wiring
Squirrels and rats gnaw constantly — their teeth never stop growing — and electrical wiring is just another thing to chew. Exposed or damaged wiring in an attic is a genuine fire risk, and it's one of the most common things we find in attics with long-term squirrel or rat activity. If you've had animals up there for months, an electrician should check the wiring, not just us.
Ruined insulation
Raccoons and other animals compress insulation into nesting areas, tunnel through it, and soak it with urine and droppings. Compressed insulation doesn't insulate — your energy bills climb while comfort drops. Urine-soaked insulation can't be salvaged; it has to come out. This is usually the biggest line item in attic restoration, and the one homeowners don't expect.
Droppings and contamination
Months of droppings in an attic aren't just gross — they're a health issue. Accumulated waste can harbor bacteria and fungi that become airborne when disturbed, which is why attic cleanup requires proper protective gear and why you shouldn't go poking around up there with a dust mask from the garage. Raccoon latrines in particular should only be handled by someone equipped for them.
Ducts, wood, and everything else
Flexible ductwork gets chewed and torn — leaking conditioned air into the attic and pulling attic air (and attic smells) into the house. Wood gets gnawed at entry points, sometimes structurally at fascia and soffits. Stored items get nested in and ruined. And the smell — urine and musk baked into wood and insulation through Florida summers — doesn't leave when the animals do.
Why cleanup can't wait
Here's what surprises people: the smell and contamination actively attract the next animals. Pheromones in urine and droppings signal "good den site" to every raccoon, squirrel, and rat in the neighborhood. Removal without cleanup is an invitation for round two. Read about our attic cleanup and restoration service.