Natures top athlete The Squirrel

Let’s face it, squirrels are cute while chasing each other up and down trees, and stowing away acorns for the winter. But they can also be a huge nuisance to humans–especially if they find a way into your attic. Not only can they be quite noisy, but they can cause expensive, and potentially dangerous, issues in your home. Once inside your attic, they have free range to gnaw and chew at electrical wiring, insulation, and anything else that may peak their interests.

 
Amazingly, Squirrels are to blame for about 30,000 house fires each year, causing millions of dollars in damage and has even caused power outages in cities!

 
The Grey Squirrel is notorious for their destructive chewing behavior and is found in most back yards around the country and is known to invade houses. With their large gnawing incisors they easily can chew large holes through wood, and anything insight is considered a chewing toy to them, including electrical wires.

Where To Find The Squirrels

Squirrels are most often found in attics, but can also be found within the cavities in your walls, they make great nesting places for expecting mothers and is a great place to keep warm in the winter. Squirrels access your home through un-repaired existing holes, damaged wood is easily chewed through, as well as gable vents, soffit screens and fascia board. Squirrels are excellent climbers but often chose attics that are based on convenience, example: a tree adjacent to the house and they like to keep near their normal home range. The popular choice of entry is any place where an eave meets up against a roof portion of the house, where the roofline meets the fascia, under eaves and in chimneys too. So your first step in securing your house is making sure those area’s are sealed properly and all damaged wood replaced.

If a squirrel invades your home, most likely you will be able to hear them chewing and scurrying about since they weigh about 2 pounds. They are most active during the day and many home owners claim that they have been able to witness the fury creature entering in and out of the home. If you do find you have a squirrel invasion, immediate removal is a must.

 
The most effective and safest way to remove your nuisance squirrel(s) is to call a professional. The best way to get them out–and make sure they don’t come back–is trapping and releasing them several miles from your home, and sealing up the entry points. In attics, live traps, one-way traps also known as repeaters can be used allowing them access outside, but not back into your attic. If there are holes, these should be patched first so the trapping is more effective. Once the squirrels have returned to their natural habitats, it’s time to clean up the possible mess they left behind. Luckily, unlike raccoons, they are not as likely to carry diseases; however, they can carry things like parasites and fleas. If you think you’re hearing squirrels in your attic, or chimney, the best time for a professional to track down your issue is in the morning and at night when they are most active.