If you’re not a huge fan of pests, then year-round squirrels are not welcome visitors. Squirrels are part of the rodent family and can grow to 16-18 inches in length. While they primarily live in trees and feast on seeds, nuts, and fruit, this all changes during the winter and summer months. During these months, squirrels find refuge in homes as well as their typical locations in trees for approximately six weeks to breed. Then the will remain for three more months to raise their young. So how do you know that you have a problem that requires squirrel removal?
The Nuisance
Squirrels adapt to people quite easily and find their way into soffits and attics in homes and commercial buildings. They find a small hole or opening and chew their way through the rest to gain access. Squirrels are extremely resourceful and bring nesting material with them to make your attic their home. As a homeowner or business owner, you’ll often hear the scurrying of these critters, notice droppings, or small urine. The signs of a squirrel invasion also pose threats to your safety.
The droppings give off an odor that is a potential biohazard. The smell also attracts new squirrels. Additionally, the nesting material is a fire hazard. Remember, squirrels have a tendency to chew on material to gain access to your home and to build their nests, which means they also chew on wiring. Nest material and exposed wiring area recipe for fire. Therefore, squirrel removal is a must.
Ways to Remove Squirrels
There are several ways that you can protect your place from a squirrel infestation.
Prevent: the best way to prevent squirrels from entering your home or business is to shut off access to open areas. Simply cover up all open areas where squirrels love to hide, nest, and make a home. However, use steel so squirrels cannot chew through it. You can also use a repellent on your home that discourages them from chewing on your home.
Trap: For squirrel removal use traps to capture squirrels and relocate them to more appropriate environments for them to live and breed. Steel, sturdy cages are primarily used as trapping devices to guard against chewing or banging their way out of the cage. If you choose trapping, you’ll also want to take preventative measures so that other squirrels do not replace the captured squirrels.
Exclude: Make sure that baby squirrels and nests are not present in the area. Once confirmed, you can use what’s called an exclusion device that allows squirrels to leave the attic but does not allow them to come back in. It forces the squirrel to find other sources of food and shelter outside of the home.