Squirrels often appear cute and playful. It is hard to imagine that they could be so cunning, annoying, and even damaging to your home. Unfortunately, squirrels can prove burdensome if they enter your attic. They can damage your insulation, wiring, and the wooden beams that support the structure of your roof. Knowing what to do when squirrels invade can save your sanity and your wallet.
Signs of Squirrels
The first thing you need to do is identify if there are squirrels in your attic. Other critters are prone to invading the attic space of homes. Knowing exactly what you are dealing with is best. Listen for the sounds of squirrels. You will often hear them scampering about since they have such long, sharp claws. You may also hear them gnawing on wood as a means of keeping their teeth sharp.
At times, you may hear squirrels fighting in your attic. If you hear that sound, you might have a larger problem on your hands. Squirrels only tend to fight with one another frequently if their food sources are lacking and cannot support their feeding habits. In other words, you may have a larger squirrel population in your attic than you realize.
You can also look for clues indicating that you have squirrels in your attic. You may see entry points leading into your home, such as damaged siding or trim. If you poke your head up into the attic, you might notice chew marks, torn up insulation, a squirrel nest, or even the squirrels themselves.
What You Should Do
Once you have confirmed the presence of squirrels in your attic, you will need to take the proper steps to have them removed. Although there are a few options you can do on your own, it is always better to contact a professional. A professional can assist you with safe and effective removal procedures.
If you prefer to go your own route, you have a couple of options. You can use a commercially made squirrel repellent. Do not opt to make your own repellent as many of them are often ineffective. You can also purchase exclusion traps with a one-way door. Exclusion traps allow the squirrel to exit your home, but not re-enter. Once they exit, they become trapped inside of a cage.
You can use the cage to safely remove the squirrel from your property and release it into the wild. However, the squirrel may have babies. If you remove a mother squirrel from its babies, you run the risk of endangering the babies. Therefore, having a professional assist you with squirrel removal is your safest bet.
Professionals understand what rules and regulations exist to protect wildlife. Keep in mind that throughout the Greater Ontario Area and many other areas, it is illegal to kill animals. It is also illegal to cause them any suffering. Professionals know how to trap squirrels without harming them. They also understand the importance of transporting them properly for safe release.
A professional can ensure that all squirrels are removed from your home, including any babies. They can do so without harming the squirrels and themselves. An accidental scratch or bite from a squirrel can pose hazards to your health, which is why professional squirrel removal is always the recommended option.