You hear scuttling somewhere in your house. Thump. Thump. You search the entire house, and find nothing. In fact, you’re alone. Well, you may think you’re alone… But you’re not.
As you lean your ears closer to the source of the noise, you lean your ear right up against the wall. And what comes next is scarier than anything you could have imagined. That’s right, it’s a wild squirrel, making its route in the comfort of your own walls.
Why Do Squirrels Go Inside My Walls?
Squirrels are notorious for making their own nests inside walls, especially for homes in Toronto. They look for tight, warm spaces where their babies will be protected and safe from harsh weather conditions, and wall cavities offer that level of protection.
Wall cavities are also perfect places because they are narrow, offering squirrels a perfect fit for their small bodies. They can climb these narrow spaces between your walls with ease and navigate to other areas of your house without the threat of other predators.
You can tell it’s a squirrel if you hear climbing noises in the walls; other animals are not as quick or aren’t as great climbers as squirrels are. So if you hear a fast, agile animal on the other side of your wall, there’s a good chance it’s a squirrel.
4 Ways to Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Walls
Luckily, you can get rid of squirrels in walls! Who said humans and squirrels need to live in peaceful coexistence, anyways? Often times, the best way to get rid of a squirrel infestation in your walls is to call a professional.
However, if you are insistent on trying yourself, it’s important you find the entrance point of the squirrel. Only then can you can consider the following options.
Method 1, the Squirrel Trapper
Set up squirrel traps near the entrance holes. This is the easiest “do-and-forget” method, but requires that you have an actual squirrel trap, to begin with. You can put seeds, nuts, or peanut butter in the squirrel trap in order for the squirrel to be lured inside.
However, this won’t solve the entire problem. If you have more than one squirrel, multiple trappings are required. Furthermore, leaving traps out for a long time may entice other squirrels into finding the hole.
And if a nest has already been built, baby squirrels won’t be attracted to traps. That’s why you should seek a more permanent solution, such as…
Method 2, the Hole Sealer
Try sealing holes with caulk, steel wool, or plywood.
Caulk is good for tiny holes, but keep in mind squirrels that get trapped inside your walls may rot and cause more problems in the long run. Steel wool can also be pulled apart by not only squirrels but other creatures. And nailing plywood onto the hole may damage your house, and also cause squirrel death.
Method 3, the Tree Trimmer
Cut down tree limbs near your house to prevent squirrels from accessing your roof. While this is more of a preventative measure, you should do this regardless if you want to best prevent squirrels from accessing your home in the first place.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, the best method is by far…
Method 4, the Professional
Try calling a professional wildlife removal service. They’ll be able to get rid of the squirrels in your walls for you. If you want a safer and more surefire way of removing squirrels, don’t be afraid to talk to an expert. Rather than tearing down the wall yourself and leaving a big mess (and braving what’s behind your wall), calling a squirrel removal expert in Toronto will be the best option. Call us at 647-496-0815.