Squirrels may look harmless in the backyard, but once you have a squirrel in the attic, they become a big problem. Squirrel damage can mean costly repairs, health hazards and sleepless nights. Whether it’s gray squirrels, red squirrels or other members of the rodent family, you need to act fast to protect your home and your family’s safety.
Squirrel Infestations 101
Squirrel in the attic can wreak havoc on your home, damaging electrical wiring, insulation and roofing materials. These furry little critters are not just a nuisance, they’re a serious risk of house fires, power outages and water damage. You need to address the issue fast to prevent these hazards. Squirrel removal experts at Wildlife Removal Markham can recommend humane methods to evict the squirrels and prevent future squirrel infestations. Understanding squirrel behaviour and habits, including their love of chewing on electrical wires and gathering nesting materials, can help you take proactive measures to deter squirrels and protect your property.
Signs of Squirrel Presence
Identifying the signs of a squirrel infestation early can save you from extensive damage and costly repairs. Common indicators include scurrying noises, especially at dawn and dusk, and squirrel droppings. You may also notice teeth marks on the wood edges of your roof or other materials and a terrible smell from their urine and feces. Check your attic and surrounding areas for visual evidence of squirrel activity, such as shredded insulation or fabric used as nesting material. Recognize these signs and you can take action fast.
1. Constant Noise and Scurrying Sounds
If you’ve been hearing scurrying noises above your ceiling, you’ve got squirrels in the attic. Common entry points such as vents, chimneys and eaves are often used by squirrels to get into your home. These sounds happen at dawn and dusk when squirrels are most active. The noises come from squirrels chewing on wood, attic insulation or moving around their nests made from nesting material which can cause interior and exterior damage.
2. Structural Damage to Wood and Insulation
Over time squirrels can cause serious damage to your home’s structure. Squirrels seek shelter in attics during colder months, and also when they have babies, they’re attracted to the warmth and security of these spaces. Their teeth leave teeth marks on wood beams, support structures and wood trim. This gnawing weakens the attic’s framework and can damage insulation, reducing energy efficiency. If left unchecked your home can become a shelter for other squirrels and wild animals seeking refuge.
3. Chewed Electrical Wires: A Major Fire Hazard
One of the biggest problems is when squirrels chew on electrical wires, leaving exposed wires. This is a high risk for electrical fires and house fires, for property and lives. In fact these rodents can chew through cables in a few weeks, so removing squirrels from your attic is top priority. Using metal flashing to seal entry points can also prevent further damage and keep these pests out.
4. Squirrel in the Attic – Babies and Nesting
In early spring a mother squirrel will build nests in attics to raise her baby squirrels. Squirrels in the attics can cause significant damage and health risks due to their nesting habits and waste. These squirrel babies add to the infestation and make removal more complicated. You need to avoid separating the young from the mother during the eviction process, and we recommend that you do not purchase live traps to try and catch them yourself. The humane methods we use ensure all the squirrels are removed safely, giving your attic a chance to recover from the squirrel infestation.
5. Parasites, Squirrel Droppings and Unpleasant Odours
An attic where squirrels live has squirrel droppings, squirrel feces and squirrel urine which produce terrible odors. Dead squirrels can also cause significant odour that may require professional removal. These waste materials can attract insects and carry harmful bacteria and parasites. A heavily contaminated attic can be a health risk, so calling the pest control experts at Affordable Wildlife Control is essential to clean and disinfect the area properly.
6. Leaky Roofs and Damaged Entry Points
Squirrels enter attics through access points around roof vents, gable vents and eaves. It’s essential to identify and seal every access point to evict the animals and prevent future infestations. These areas often have chewed openings and claw marks. As water enters through these gaps it can cause attic damage, ceiling stains and wood rot. These issues also create new opportunities for new squirrels and other wild animals to get into your home. Also be aware of local laws regarding wildlife removal to ensure compliance with regulations and humane treatment of the animals.
Squirrel Behaviour and Infestations
Squirrels are wild creatures that can cause significant damage to homes when they feel threatened or are protecting their young. Mother squirrels often choose attics as safe havens to raise their baby squirrels so it’s essential to remove the whole family to prevent future infestations. Squirrels are also attracted to food sources like bird seed and can be found in nearby trees. Trimming tree branches and removing attractants are effective ways to deter squirrels. By understanding squirrel behaviour and their nesting habits homeowners can take proactive steps to prevent squirrel problems and protect their property.
Why Fast Squirrel Removal Is Important
A small squirrel problem can quickly get out of hand if ignored. Having a squirrel in your attic can cause significant dangers and damages as these animals are unpredictable especially when nesting. The longer squirrels stay the more damage they cause and the higher the chance of a dead squirrel being left behind and an even worse smell. Humane squirrel removal using one way door systems, and cage traps helps to evict squirrels safely.
Consequences of Delayed Removal
Delaying the removal of squirrels can cause severe damage to your home including electrical fires, water damage and structural issues. Squirrels can chew through electrical wires causing power outages and potentially sparking a fire. Their urine and feces can cause unpleasant smells and health risks. Squirrels can damage insulation, roofing materials and wooden beams so prompt action is essential. Homeowners who delay removal may face more extensive and costly repairs so it’s important to seek professional help from squirrel removal experts.
DIY vs Professional Removal
While some homeowners may consider DIY methods like cage traps or one way doors to remove squirrels, experienced wildlife control is often the most effective and humane solution. Squirrel removal experts have the necessary equipment and expertise to safely and humanely remove squirrels including baby squirrels and prevent future infestations. Professional removal ensures that all the entry points are sealed, the one way door is set, and the attic is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to remove any remaining squirrel droppings, urine or nesting supplies. DIY removal can expose homeowners to health risks like diseases carried by squirrel feces so professional help is essential for a safe and effective removal process.
Effective Squirrel Repellents and Humane Methods
After the animals are removed it’s important to deter squirrels from returning. Using squirrel repellents like ammonia and apple cider vinegar can create an unpleasant environment for squirrels making the space less attractive to them. Sealing entry points with steel mesh and trimming tree branches from nearby trees prevents future entries. Removing attractants like bird seed, pet food, and using natural deterrents like apple cider vinegar or bright lights can keep target squirrels away.
How to Prevent Future Squirrel Infestations with Proper Pest Control
To prevent future squirrel infestations, work with experienced squirrel removal experts who can inspect your attic and home exterior for vulnerable spots. They can recommend if any tree branches should be trimmed too. Squirrels gnaw on various objects to keep their teeth sharp which can cause significant damage to your property. Addressing these weaknesses ensures squirrels leave and reduces the chance of attracting other squirrels or various new pests. Proactive maintenance and installing deterrents is key to stopping future infestations before they start.
Conclusion
A squirrel infestation brings more than just noise; it can cause fire hazards, attic damage, contamination and expensive repairs. Acting fast to remove squirrels and secure your home with professional pest control services really is the best way to protect your property. Don’t wait for squirrel activity to cause serious damage, don’t set live traps and try to evict them yourself — address the problem now with affordable services from Wildlife Removal Markham and keep your attic squirrel free for good.
