Squirrels can cause damage to gardens, trees, and cultivated landscaping. They can also gnaw at electrical wires, which could lead to fire hazards.

While squirrels can be a nuisance, they also help the environment in various ways. They bury seeds and search for them later, thereby accidentally planting new trees in forests, fields, or orchards.

Humane Treatment

Squirrel control can be a fun addition to a backyard wildlife habitat, but when they start to infiltrate homes they become a nuisance and cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Using humane trapping and exclusion methods, wildlife removal services can safely and effectively address squirrel infestations while offering preventive measures to ensure your property is fortified against future squirrel entry.

Squirrelles are at their most active four to five hours before sunrise, so a quick response is essential to minimize the amount of damage done. The most effective approach is to use nonlethal traps, such as small box or glue traps. These traps allow the homeowner to euthanize the squirrel quickly and humanely, minimizing animal suffering. The use of gas explosive devices, such as a pressurized exhaust machine that uses propane and oxygen, has also been tested, but results have been mixed.

There are also a number of repellents that can be used to control squirrels, including electronic devices that emit high-pitched sounds and sprays or granules that have scents that are unpleasant to squirrels. Capsaicin, which is found in hot peppers, has been found to be particularly effective as a squirrel repellent.

Squirrel urine and feces can clog insulation, cause mold, fungus, and wood rot. Over time, it can even contaminate water tanks and the attic space with these substances. In addition, the squirrels' constant scuttling can result in noise and vibration that disturbs people's sleep.

Prevention of Damage

Squirrels are well-loved and tolerated in their natural habitat, but once they invade a home or commercial property, the damage is often significant. Like their rodent cousins, squirrels are prone to chewing wires and other materials that can lead to costly repairs. In addition, scurrying in walls and attics can cause structural damage, while piled acorns can lead to fire hazards.

Scurrying around lawns and gardens disturbs turf and damages or kills ornamental plants. Squirrels can also spread parasites and diseases like black fungus throughout forests, resulting in dead or dying trees. Additionally, bird feeders attract squirrels that can damage or steal the birds’ seeds, leading to increased feeding costs for homeowners.

There are a variety of ways to prevent squirrel-related problems, including repellents, noise and light deterrence and landscaping modifications. However, many of these methods are ineffective as a long-term solution. Lights and sounds may provide an immediate deterrent or harassment, but they are ineffective at blocking entry points. Additionally, ultrasonic devices claim to deter squirrels, but they have not been proven effective as a management tool.

The most effective solution is a combination of exclusion and trapping strategies. A professional wildlife control company uses humane traps that prioritize the animals’ welfare and a desire to coexist with the local animal population. These traps include one-way funnels made of 1/4- to 1/2-inch hardware cloth or metal flashing that allow the squirrel to leave but not return, as well as box traps that can be secured with a door that allows the squirrel to escape but not reenter.

Prevention of Disease

Squirrels are rodents and carry with them the potential to transmit numerous diseases. They also have teeth that are continuously growing throughout their lives and can chew through wood, plastic and other materials. Besides being unsightly, their excrement can lead to water damage in your home. If your family has a history of respiratory problems or you have noticed any rashes that might be related to squirrel contact, it is important to visit your doctor immediately.

Removing squirrels from attics and other areas of the house can reduce the chances of disease. It is also important to seal any entry points to prevent further intrusions. You should also keep trash bins tightly sealed and remove any food sources in the yard that might attract squirrels. In addition, you should use chemical repellents that have been approved for use on squirrels. These include capsaicin (which is extracted from peppers) and predator urine.

It is also important to recognize that eradication of squirrels may not be a realistic goal. They breed rapidly and, even if some are removed from an area, others will move in to replace them. Additionally, they can be resistant to certain poisons and toxins that are often used for control.

Squirrels can have positive effects on the ecosystem by burying seeds and then returning to search for them later. This process is known as caching and it helps in forest regeneration. However, it can also be harmful in developed areas because it can change the composition of trees and create an imbalanced habitat.

Prevention of Infestation

The problem with squirrels is that they are opportunistic feeders, and will eat just about anything. As a result, squirrels can damage gardens and crops as well as cause structural damage to homes. In addition, squirrels gnaw on materials such as wires, creating potential fire hazards in homes and automobiles, and can even ruin machinery by chewing through important parts.

Fortunately, Our website provides several steps that homeowners can take to help deter squirrels and prevent these problems. If you see squirrels in your home, examine the area to find out how they entered and then block those entrance points. You can trim overhanging tree branches, and use caulk or another form of sealant to close up any entry points into soffits, roof vents, siding, chimneys and so on. You can also install one-way funnels made of wire mesh, or commercially available ones that allow squirrels to leave, but not reenter.

Trapping is effective for small infestations any time of year, but it's especially practical from mid-spring through fall when ground squirrels are active. Traps should be placed where the squirrels are causing damage and should be positioned so that nontarget animals cannot access them. For a complete solution, consider hiring a pest control professional to identify and seal possible entry points. Professionals can also address cleaning and sanitization, ensuring that your property is not only squirrel-free but healthy, clean and safe.