Effective 2/1/2023, Westchester Wildlife will now be servicing all new and existing customers of Tri-County Wildlife. Please visit www.westchesterwildlife.com. We appreciate your business!
Watching squirrels play in your yard from the comfort of your back porch can be a delightful experience. However, the situation can quickly turn sour when these curious animals find their way into your home. The squirrels may cause chaos by knocking over your belongings.
They can also bring ticks and fleas into your home, infecting you and your pets. Additionally, like other rodents, they may leave droppings and urine in your home, creating a risk of salmonella infection. Here are the things you need to do to humanely remove squirrels from your home.
If you've noticed squirrels outside in trees or on utility lines, they may have also made their way into your home. Squirrels, like other rodents, can reproduce quickly once inside. So watch for these signs of a squirrel infestation:
Hearing Unusual Noises: Pay attention to your surroundings and listen for unusual noises, as you may hear a squirrel before seeing any visual signs, particularly during winter or rainy months. Common sounds to listen for include scurrying and scampering, as well as scratching or chewing, which may indicate that squirrels have entered your home.
Damage Around Your Home: Although the damage caused by squirrels inside your home may not be immediately apparent, there are signs to look out for in your attic and walls, such as teeth marks on wires, wood, and walls, chewed electrical wires, nests in your insulation, and air vent damage. To check for squirrel problems outside your home, inspect the exterior for roofline damage, holes in shingles, ripped-open garbage bags, chewed-up furniture, and marks on garden plants.
Droppings: Squirrel droppings can indicate a problem with infestation and are commonly found in areas like the garage, attic, or near entry points of your home. Be cautious when encountering droppings in your home, as they can carry harmful diseases and bacteria, such as salmonella.
Foul Odors: Squirrel urine can produce a strong smell that spreads through walls and vents if they have taken up residence in your home. If a squirrel becomes trapped and dies inside, the smell can become even stronger. Strong, unpleasant odors may signify squirrels living in your home.
Acorns: It is well-known that acorns are a favorite food of squirrels. These resilient animals will gather acorns during the summer and fall and store them to eat during the colder months. If you find acorns in your attic, a squirrel is likely a culprit.
It is important to note that these signs could also indicate other types of pests, so it's best to consult a professional for an accurate identification and advice on how to proceed.
Squirrels are known for their agility and ability to climb, which makes them a common pest in homes. They are often found in attics, crawl spaces, and the walls of homes. These areas provide shelter and protection from the elements, as well as a food source for the squirrels.
Attics are a common place to find squirrels in the house. They will often chew through the roof or soffit to gain access to the attic. Once inside, they will build nests and raise their young. They may also store food in the attic, which can attract other pests, such as mice and rats.
Crawl spaces are another popular location for squirrels in the house. These areas are often dark and damp, making them a perfect place for the squirrels to hide and raise their young. They may also use the crawl space as a place to store food, which can attract other pests.
In addition to attics and crawl spaces, squirrels are also known to take up residence in the walls of homes. They will often gnaw through the walls to gain access to the interior of the home.
If you discover a squirrel inside your home, refer to the following suggestions for guidance on how to handle the situation:
You should inspect your home and property for any holes or gaps that the squirrels may be used to enter. This may include areas around vents, pipes, or cables, as well as any holes or cracks in the walls or foundation of your home. Once you have identified all potential entry points, you should seal them with sturdy materials such as metal flashing or wire mesh.
When all other methods have been exhausted, trapping can be an effective way to remove squirrels from your home. There are several options for trapping, including live capture traps, kill traps and body-gripping traps. However, it's important to note that these traps need to be checked frequently, and some states may require a permit to use them at home.
It can be challenging to change how you maintain your yard and alter your habits, especially if you are accustomed to a certain routine. However, squirrels are clever creatures and will take advantage of any opportunity presented to them. To outsmart them, you must adopt a two-pronged approach. Firstly, you must focus on the areas that are high up, and secondly, you must pay attention to the low-lying areas. It may not be possible to entirely prevent tree squirrels and ground squirrels from frequenting your yard, but there are measures you can take to make it less appealing to them.
Squirrel repellent is a humane way to address squirrel infestations in your home. The goal is to create an environment that is so unpleasant for the squirrels that they will choose to leave. Repellents can be an effective first step in removing squirrels and, in some cases, the only method needed. There are various options available for squirrel repellent, including store-bought products or homemade solutions.
To prevent squirrels from returning to your loft, it is crucial to implement squirrel-proofing measures. This can be achieved by using squirrel-proof mesh to cover all entry points into your loft. However, this may require an inspection of your roof from the outside, which can be dangerous if you need the proper qualifications for health, safety, and working at heights. In this case, it is recommended to hire a professional. Additionally, it is important to check your garden for trees or shrubs that squirrels may use to climb onto your roof and remove them as a potential access point.
In conclusion, getting rid of squirrels permanently from your house may take some effort and patience, but by sealing off entry points, removing food sources, using humane removal techniques, maintaining a clean environment, and using repellents, you can effectively eliminate squirrels from your home.
It is also recommended to work with a professional wildlife control operator like Tri County Wildlife Control & Removal to deal with squirrels on your property, as they are trained to handle wildlife humanely and are familiar with local regulations. To address issues with squirrels or other pests, reach out to a professional pest control company for assistance in identifying the pest, locating entry points, and implementing prevention measures. Call Today at: 914-804-8444
It is important to note that it is illegal in many states to trap or kill squirrels without proper licensing, so it is best to consult with your local wildlife agency for guidance on humane and legal removal options.
