Do You Have Squirrels in Your Home?
September 29, 2020
Watching squirrels run around in your front yard might seem fun, but no one likely wants pests in their home. Like many pests, squirrels are attracted to the warmth and protection of your home. Unfortunately, these little critters are not good roommates, and they can destroy your home and spread disease.
If you would like to better protect your home, keep reading to learn more about squirrels in your home.
Where Do Squirrels Like to Hide in the Home?
Squirrels like to hide in any part of your home that is secluded but has an access point. An access point can be as small as a half-inch opening. Thanks to their sharp teeth, squirrels can chew a hole to get inside your home. Some of the more common places squirrels like to hide include the attic, walls, crawl space, and ductwork.
Even though they can fit through small openings, squirrels prefer wider openings, so look for natural or unnatural holes that seem to keep getting bigger. While the holes can appear anywhere, they are more common in the attic because squirrels can easily gnaw through the fascia.
What Are the Signs of Squirrels in the Home?
Luckily, many signs may indicate you have a squirrel infestation. Naturally, a leading sign is scratching and scurrying in the attic, walls, crawl space, or ducts. Besides access points, squirrels may chew and gnaw on other materials like wiring, drywall, beams, or molding.
If you do suspect squirrels, check for nests in the attic or anyplace else you suspect them. Of course, squirrels also need to eat and relieve themselves, so if you have squirrels, expect unpleasant odors from squirrel urine and droppings. You may also spot hidden piles of acorns in the attic or walls.
What Problems Can Squirrels Cause?
Squirrels pose many problems if they invade your home. For starters, they can damage your home. In some cases, this damage may only be aesthetic, but if the squirrels gnaw through wires, they can cause electrical damage or even start a fire. If they mess with the ductwork, they may cause holes and gaps, which can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
The other leading danger of squirrels is disease. Squirrels and their droppings can spread diseases like typhus, tularemia, and plague. Parasites like fleas and mites may also pass from the squirrels to you or your family members. If dead squirrel bodies or their droppings get trapped in the ductwork, it can spread bacteria to all parts of the home.
How Can You Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Home?
If you want to prevent squirrels from getting inside your home, you need to seal off the home so the squirrels have no easy access points. However, if you already have squirrels, you may wonder how to get rid of them. Depending on your preference, you have humane and more aggressive options.
Some homeowners prefer the more humane option, which may involve a one-way door so the squirrel can leave but can't get back inside the house. Some traps can also catch squirrels to be released elsewhere. Alternatively, some homeowners prefer a more aggressive approach to ensure the squirrels do not come back.
Squirrels can get into your house simply by chewing a hole, but sealing up your home will go a long way to detour them. If squirrels have already gotten into your home, contact
a skilled pest control specialist. For more information or to get a quote, contact us at Anteater Pest Control Inc. today. We look forward to helping with all your pest control needs, especially with squirrels.
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