Mature trees are one of the nicest things about a yard, but a branch that touches or hangs over your roof does more than drop leaves. It gives pests an easy bridge from the yard to your roofline. If you've heard scratching in the attic, seen squirrels running across the roof or found ants trailing along the siding of your Florham Park home, overhanging branches may be part of the reason. Below, we'll take a closer look at which pests use branches to reach the house, the warning signs and how to cut off the route. If something has already moved in, our squirrel removal service starts with finding the entry points.
Why Overhanging Branches Matter
Many pests that end up in attics and walls don't climb up the side of the house. They walk across a branch. A limb resting on the roof, hanging over the gutters or reaching close to a chimney or dormer gives animals and insects a protected highway straight to the parts of the home that are hardest to see and easiest to get into.
Once they're on the roof, pests look for weak spots: gaps at the soffit and fascia, loose vent covers, damaged shingles, openings around the chimney and gaps where different rooflines meet. A branch puts them right next to all of those spots. Trees that lean toward the house, grow close to the foundation or spread wide over a garage or porch roof are worth a closer look, since they often reach the roof without anyone noticing until something is already living in the attic.
Which Pests Use Branches To Reach Your Home
- Squirrels. Gray squirrels and flying squirrels travel by branch and jump onto roofs, then chew into soffits, vents and roofline gaps.
- Mice. Good climbers that can use branches and vines to reach upper levels of the house.
- Raccoons. Strong climbers that can use trees to reach roofs and chimneys.
- Carpenter ants. They often nest in trees and travel along branches that touch the house, entering through gaps near the roof.
- Other ants and insects. Branches and vines give trailing ants, spiders and overwintering insects a route to windows and eaves.
- Birds. Nearby branches give birds easy access to vents and gutters for nesting.
For more on keeping squirrels out once you've found them, see our guide to keeping squirrels out of the attic for good.
Other Problems Overhanging Trees Cause
Branches don't just act as bridges. Trees hanging over the house drop leaves, twigs and seeds into gutters. Clogged gutters hold water, which can breed mosquitoes and keep fascia and soffit wood damp. Damp wood rots and becomes easier for squirrels to chew and for carpenter ants and termites to move into. Heavy shade also keeps the roof and siding from drying out after rain, which encourages moss and moisture-loving insects.
Signs Pests Are Using Your Trees
- Squirrels running across the roof or jumping from branches to the house
- Scratching, running or rolling sounds in the attic, especially early in the morning
- Chewed soffit corners, vent covers or roof edges near a branch
- Ant trails on branches that touch the siding or roof
- Sawdust-like debris below tree limbs or near the eaves
- Gutters full of leaves and standing water
How To Cut Off The Route
- Trim branches back. Keep limbs several feet away from the roof, walls and chimney so animals can't step or jump across easily.
- Hire a professional for tree work. A certified arborist or tree service can trim safely and protect the tree's health.
- Stay clear of power lines. Never trim near utility lines yourself. Contact your utility company.
- Clean gutters. Clear leaves and debris, especially after fall leaf drop.
- Cut back vines and shrubs. Ivy and climbing plants on walls are another bridge for pests.
- Check the roofline. After trimming, look for gaps and damage pests may already have made.
Trimming works best before pests move in. If animals are already in the attic, cutting off their route can trap them inside or leave young behind, so get the space checked first.
When To Call A Professional
If you're hearing activity in the attic, seeing chewed roofline areas or finding ants inside near the upper floors, it's time for an inspection. EcoFusion doesn't trim trees, but our NJ DEP-licensed technicians can inspect your roofline, attic and the trees around your home, identify the pests involved and recommend a plan. That can include removing animals, treating insects and sealing entry points with pest-resistant materials. We use Integrated Pest Management and EPA-registered, eco-safe products, and our work is backed by the EcoGuard Guarantee.
A branch over the roof is easy to overlook and easy for pests to use. A little trimming and a regular look at the roofline help keep your Florham Park home closed to visitors from the trees.