To a squirrel, a chimney is like a big, hollow tree. Chimneys provide squirrels with warm, safe places to nest and they sometimes even provide access to the attic inside. This is a serious problem because squirrel nests will attract other pests to your roof, like raccoons, causing more damage to the structure of your home. If it isn’t Santa Claus in your chimney, you need to have it removed as soon as possible. If squirrels are giving you trouble, call Squirrel Removal Toronto now.
Squirrels are omnivorous rodents that feed primarily on fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. They also enjoy fungi, insects, and man-made foods like bread and peanut butter. The most common species in Ontario is the grey squirrel, which measures roughly 25cm in length and has a tail nearly just as long. Grey squirrels appear either greyish brown or fully black. These squirrels mate twice a year: once in the early spring and again in late summer. It is during this time that female squirrels look for a place to nest and raise their young. Tree branches and hollows are natural nesting sites, but attics and chimneys are also popular.
To keep squirrels out of the chimney, screw a 16-gauge, galvanized steel mesh with openings only half an inch wide to the top of the chimney. This will make the chimney impenetrable to squirrels because they will not be able to chew through the metal. It’s important that you use this particular kind of mesh because squirrels can chew through practically anything else. Other things you can do to keep the squirrels away from your roof involve cleaning out the gutters and tidying up the yard on a regular basis. Use lidded garbage cans, pick up any fallen fruit off the ground, and switch to squirrel-proof bird feeders.
If there is currently a squirrel infestation in your chimney, you should remove the rodents from the chimney first before capping it. Simply screw a one-way door to the top of the chimney instead of a mesh to let the squirrels out and prevent them from coming back in. Just be careful that you do not separate a mother from her pups. If you cannot reach into the nest and take the pups out, wait until the fall when the pups have grown. If there is a squirrel stuck in the fireplace, throw down a thick rope so the animal can climb out. Given that working on the roof and handling baby squirrels can be a little difficult, you can always contact a local wildlife removal company for help.
Squirrel Control handles squirrel infestations all the time. Our team of experts share a wealth of experience and would be happy to help you with whatever problem you’re having. We perform thorough inspections to identify all potential points-of-entry and offer pest-proofing services to keep the animals out. Call Squirrel Control today for quality squirrel removal: 637-496-0815.