You’ve Got Squirrels in Your Home.

Squirrels may be cute when they are chasing each other up and down trees, but they aren’t so adorable when they end up in your attic or walls. If a squirrel infestation gets out of control, it is important to take immediate action. Otherwise, these creatures can cause all sorts of damage to your home and create an unsafe environment for your family.  Plus, the sounds of scurrying squirrels in the walls can keep you up all night. Got a hunch some squirrels have moved in? You’ll want to pay close attention to this brief guide on how to get rid of squirrels in your home.

What are some common signs of a squirrels in your home?

If you’re worried about squirrels making their home in your home, you will want to keep a sharp eye, ear and nose out for some common signs of squirrels in the attic or in the walls of your home. They include:

• Strange noises
• Droppings
• Chewed or damaged entry points
• Damage to insulation, duct work, soffits and fascia, roofing or other areas
• Nests
• A foul odor
• Increased squirrel activity around the property

If you have seen one or more of these signs, squirrel removal (or even dead animal removal) may be in order. To be sure, you will want to call a professional animal control specialist as soon as possible.

What are the dangers of having a squirrel infestation? Squirrels in attics or walls pose many risks for homeowners, but a squirrel infestation can be especially serious. Squirrels will gnaw through almost anything, including electrical wiring. Their presence could easily lead to a devastating fire in your home. Their urine and fecal matter will create uncomfortable and unsanitary conditions for your family. And if a squirrel dies while in your home, the odor can lead to headaches and nausea. That is why it’s so important to pursue professional help for removal and carcass disposal. If they have set up house in your attic, you will need to disinfect the entire area including the insulation.  You may even need to dispose of your attic insulation and this is a huge cost to fork out.

How can I get rid of squirrels in my home?

You can try, but it is not recommended. You may think you’re saving money by going the DIY (Do It Yourself) route, but you are actually putting yourself and your home at further risk. The tactics you try may not be effective in the long run and you could potentially be hurt.

According to SFGate.com: “Squirrels, like any wild animal, can attack if they are cornered or feel threatened. Wear protective clothing, such as leather gloves, a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, while trying to catch or remove the animal from your home.”

Last year, the revenues of pest control services in Canada were projected to reach $1.7 billion and these experts know how to handle rodent issues correctly. Whether you need live or dead squirrel removal or not, it’s better to get some assistance from professionals.

How can I prevent a squirrel infestation?

Inspect the exterior of the house and determine areas that might allow access for squirrels. Repair any holes and gaps.  Use chimney caps and attic vent screens to seal any openings. Make sure you don’t trap any animals in the attic. If you think squirrels might have already entered your attic, stuff newspaper in the holes first.  If the newspaper hasn’t been disturbed after a day or two, it is likely that the attic is clear.  Then, go ahead and perform the screen installation or repairs.

Don’t make it easy for squirrels to get on your roof and into the attic or chimney.  Keep all tree limbs growing over or near the roof to within about 8-10 feet of the edge of the roof.  This will prevent squirrels from jumping from the tree limbs onto your roof.  Also, squirrels love to hang around bird feeders.  If you see squirrels near your bird feeder, it might be necessary to remove the feeders.

Who do I call for help?

Are you wondering who to call for squirrels in the attic or elsewhere in your home?  If you find that squirrels have already moved in, you should contact animal control specialists immediately.  You could be at risk for hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your home.  If you allow squirrels to take up residence in your attic you could wake up to new residents in your living space.  Be warned: squirrels won’t confine themselves to just your attic.

If you think you might be dealing with a squirrel infestation, take care of the problem sooner rather than later.  Call Pestcheck to understand how to get rid of squirrels in your home.

Pestcheck Pest Control is a local, family run pest control business based out of Vancouver, Canada. The business is both QualityPro and GreenPro certified by the NPMA (National Pest Management Association).

About the Author

Julie Scott is no newcomer to pest control; in fact, she made her first foray into the world of insects and rodents over twenty years ago.  She and her husband Stephen moved to Lanzarote, Spain to set up their own pest control business. In fact, she was one of the first English speaking women in the Canary Islands to obtain her technician’s license. To make it even harder for her, the exam was in Spanish!

Fast forward to Vancouver, Canada 2018 where she and her husband opened for business, Pestcheck Pest Control. She gave up her job as an accountant and stepped into the role of owner/manager right from the start. Pestcheck is a family business. Both her sons work as technicians alongside their father.

Her passion lies in creating blogs for her clients and anyone else who is interested in what she has to say. She has been blogging about the ins and outs of pest control for the past three years. Giving out lashings of tips, advice, and recommendations on pests.

More resources:

Landlord vs Tenant – Who Pays for Pest Control?

How Did Squirrels Get in My Attic?

Attic Clean up – Should You Hire a Professional?