They scurry along fences and dart through the trees, their bushy tails flicking with an almost mischievous air. But when these agile creatures find their way into the nooks and crannies of your home, the quaint charm of having wildlife neighbours quickly turns into a pressing concern. A squirrel infestation can silently wreak havoc, gnawing on wires, burrowing into insulation, and potentially posing health risks with each unchecked moment.
Understanding how squirrels get into your house is critical for homeowners—it’s the first step toward reclaiming peace from these uninvited guests. Meanwhile, learning how to prevent squirrels from infiltrating your home protects not just the integrity of your dwelling but also the well-being of both human residents and the natural fauna outside. It’s a balance that requires knowledge, vigilance, and Skedaddle’s responsible approach to wildlife control.
How Do Squirrels Get Into Your House?
Squirrels are crafty creatures that can find countless ways into your home. Usually, these rodents will exploit small holes or gaps in the exterior of your house to gain access, commonly in places like the roof or walls. Be aware of the fact that squirrels are capable of gnawing. They have a penchant for wooden structures, so eaves, shingles, and window frames composed of this material are under potential threat.
Compounding the issue is their agility, which allows them to navigate overhanging branches and power lines, thereby reaching the higher structures in your house easily. The most searched locations are dark, warm and secluded areas such as the attic or a wall void.
And when inside, these naturally inquisitive creatures explore their surroundings, often causing more damage along the way. Remember, always sealing any open entrances and structural vulnerabilities is probably the most effective measure in preventing these climbing mammals from paying an unwelcome visit.
Recognizing the Signs of a Squirrel Infestation
Ignoring an infestation could present significant risks to your property and health. These amiable-looking creatures may seem harmless; however, they can cause a host of problems if allowed to occupy your home space.
- Consistent chewing sounds: Squirrels are known for their relentless gnawing habit. This behaviour usually stems from their need to maintain sharp teeth. If you begin hearing consistent chewing or scrabbling sounds from your attic or within your walls, it could mean you have an infestation.
- Unusual foul odours: Squirrels, unfortunately, do not follow bathroom etiquette. They usually relieve themselves wherever they reside, even if it’s your attic. As this waste builds up, it emits a strong, foul odour, alerting you to their activity.
- Damage to the outdoors: In their attempts to get inside your home, squirrels can cause significant damage to your exteriors. Look out for gnawed wood, insulation, wires, and general structural damage.
- Visual confirmation: While squirrels tend to hide in secluded spaces like your attic or inside your walls, if your infestation is severe, you may physically see the animals scurrying around your home.
Squirrel-Induced Structural Damage: A Hidden Menace
Squirrels may appear charming and harmless, but when these creatures invade your surroundings, they can inflict substantial harm on your property. Being inherently gnawers, they will not hesitate to chew up soft lead pipes, woodwork, electrical wiring, and insulation. They gnaw to maintain their sharpness, and to control the size of their teeth, which continuously grow.
Fixture degradation is another negative outcome of an infestation. Bathroom vent fans or kitchen exhausts can serve as access points for these creatures, leading to their detrimental malfunctions.
Damage to your garden or yard can be visible when infested with squirrels. They disturb flower pots, dig up bulbs, or create holes in lawns while searching for food items. For those who are avid about their landscaping, these animals can disrupt your hard work and make it difficult to maintain a tidy yard.
Prolonged infestation may result in substantial structural damage, weakening the foundation of your home, and potentially leading to costly repairs. Even attic spaces aren’t spared, as nests can cause slow decay of wood structures due to feces and urine accumulation.
Ignoring squirrels in your premises poses hidden threats not only to your property but also to the safety and comfort of your household. The ultimate solution to minimize this risk is preventive care and timely intervention. Skedaddle’s expert services are dedicated to providing effective and humane solutions to infestations, ensuring your property’s safety and harmonious cohabitation with nature.
The Health Hazards: Diseases Carried by Squirrels
Squirrels, while appearing quite harmless, can act as vectors for several diseases. Being oblivious to this fact can potentially expose you and your family to serious health risks. It is, therefore, crucial to understand the diseases they carry.
Potential Diseases Carried by Squirrels
One of the most common dangers posed by squirrels is the spread of ticks and fleas. These creatures frequently make their home on squirrels and can transfer to humans, bringing along diseases such as Lyme disease and Typhus. Importantly, these pests can infest your home even in the absence of squirrels, making prevention increasingly crucial.
Leptospirosis: Health Threat from Squirrel Urine and Droppings
Apart from ticks and fleas, squirrels significantly contribute to the spread of Leptospirosis. It’s a bacterial disease contracted through exposure to urine or feces. Symptoms include fever, headache, and nausea initially and can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and even death in severe cases.
Squirrel-Borne Rabies: A Rare Risk
Although not widely common, squirrels could potentially carry Rabies. Typically, small mammals like squirrels aren’t rabies vectors, but it’s never a certainty. They can be infected from contact with other rabies-carrying species, which makes any bite matter very seriously.
In view of these threats, prompt action in case of a squirrel infestation is indispensable. Ignoring or downplaying the situation might invite destructive and hazardous consequences to your home and health. The professional wildlife control expert from Skedaddle is equipped and knowledgeable to effectively deal with such infestations, ensuring your surroundings and your loved ones stay safe and free from any squirrel-induced threats.
Choose Skedaddle for Humane Squirrel Control in Port Moody
Skedaddle has been a leading force in humane wildlife control for over 30 years. Its multi-faceted approach to wildlife problems, specifically squirrel infestations, distinguishes it from typical pest removal services. Here at Skedaddle, we not only focus on removing the immediate issue, which is the squirrels but also address the root of the problem, taking measures to prevent future infestations.
We tackle infestations with a three-step process: assess and remove, clear and clean, and prevent and protect. Our technicians first thoroughly inspect your property to identify the size and severity of the infestation. Squirrels and their nests are then humanely removed without causing any harm to the animals.
With the squirrels and their nests removed, Skedaddle takes an extra stride in securing the health and safety of your household. We clear and clean all impacted areas, ridding them of any diseases or parasites that may have been left behind by the squirrels. This step ensures that your house no longer poses a health risk to your family.
Lastly, we employ preventive measures and install protective tools to minimize the risk of future invasions. We carefully seal entry points and provide tips on how to make your property less enticing to squirrels. Our main aim is not just to solve your current problem, but to save you from any potential wildlife problems in the future.
Our Commitment to Humane Removal
Skedaddle’s dedication to humane animal removal aligns perfectly with wildlife preservation efforts. We prioritize the welfare of animals in our operations, treating them with respect and kindness. All of our procedures are accomplished following local laws and regulations, reflecting our professionalism and commitment to humane treatment.
With a successful track record and over 200,000 satisfied customers, Skedaddle is no doubt the best choice for squirrel removal. We are passionate about what we do and committed to offering long-term squirrel control solutions. Trust Skedaddle to handle your squirrel problem, making your home safe, peaceful, and squirrel-free again.
Don’t let squirrels take over your home and compromise your well-being. Take action now. Contact our professional team at Skedaddle, and let us serve you with our expertise.
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