The following article details a squirrel and raccoon removal service in North York. Both squirrels and raccoons were found nesting in a family’s attic, having broke in through the roof. With the help of a Squirrel Control professional, both species were safely removed and kept out for good.
Inspection
The homeowners in this case called Squirrel Control in late February when they were concerned that animals were living in their attic. They reported that they had been hearing scratching and thumping sounds for a few weeks. The sounds would happen at all hours of the day, so they were unsure of what they were dealing with. Both raccoons and squirrels were common within the area.
A technician arrived the next day to investigate. No matter the job, our technicians perform detailed inspections to figure out exactly what is going on. We can identify which species is invading the property, the causes of the infestation, and every weakness that could lead to another one in the future. In this case, the technician started with the roof and looked for entry points. Raccoons and squirrels are known to break into the attic through the roof vents, chimneys, drip lines, and soffits.
Here, the technician found holes in the soffits of the garage as well as a hole in the home’s drip edge. While the holes in the soffits appeared to have been pushed in, the hole in the drip edge showed evidence of chewing. Squirrels frequently chew their way through the edges of the roof where they find a small opening. Raccoons, however, have dexterous paws that are strong enough to push and tear their way indoors. In addition to the damage, the technician found piles of raccoon droppings on the roof, indicating a raccoon problem.
Once the exterior was inspected, the technician went inside the attic to examine the interior. The attic in this case showed signs of both a squirrel and raccoon problem, with feces from both species in the insulation. Invasions like these are common in the winter and spring when female mammals need a safe place to give birth and raise their young. No baby animals were found.
Given the signs of squirrel and raccoon activity, the technician recommended that they be removed using one-way doors. This would let the animals out safely and force them to find shelter elsewhere. Sealing the other holes and weaknesses found on the roof were also recommended to ensure that this would not happen again. The homeowner agreed to get to work immediately, and the technician got started.
Removal and Exclusion
First, the wildlife removal technician sealed the holes in the soffits by covering them with a galvanized steel mesh. This is a flexible and durable material that withstands the chewing and tearing of animals. A total of 25 feet were sealed. Then, the roof’s edge was strengthened with another 25 feet of mesh.
Once the soffits and edges were excluded, two one-way doors were installed at the entry points. A door made specifically for raccoons was installed in the soffit where the raccoons were getting in, and a smaller door made of mesh was installed on the roof’s edge for the squirrels. The one-way doors would swing outward when the animals left the attic to feed but block their re-entry.
Along with the sealing of the holes and the installation of the one-way doors, the technician on site covered the roof’s vents and chimney with mesh. Raccoons and squirrels frequently nest in chimneys and either chew or claw their way through the roof vents, so it is a good idea to exclude these. Animals that have recently been evicted will target these areas especially because they want to return to their dens.
Animal Re-entry
A few days later, the homeowner called back to say that a new hole appeared in the side of the roof, near the one-way door for raccoons. A technician immediately returned to solve the problem. The raccoon that was evicted from the garage’s attic had broken its way back inside through a part of the roof that had not been excluded. To solve this issue, the technician then placed another one-way door to this new entry point and put additional mesh along the edges of the garage’s roof.
Within a few days, both the raccoon and squirrel were gone. Using one-way doors to remove these animals usually does not take very long because the animals need to feed. Once out, they simply find another place to live nearby – as long as the roof is impregnable. The homeowners in this case called Squirrel Control to report that they were no longer hearing any noises and a technician returned to remove the doors and replace them with mesh.
Conclusion
The technicians at Squirrel Control and thoroughly trained and experienced in the removal of squirrels, raccoons, skunks, birds, bats, and a variety of other household pests. They can correctly identify the species and implement a removal plan that works. Cases like this one in which multiple species have invaded the property are common. If you are concerned about the wildlife in your area, call Squirrel Control for guaranteed wildlife removal and exclusion services.