Squirrels are cute little animals that people usually love to watch from afar. However, when they start invading your home, they can cause a lot of damage and become a nuisance. Squirrels can climb, jump and squeeze through tight spaces, making it easy for them to get inside your house. Let’s review what you need to know to prevent squirrel invasions in your home.
Why do squirrels come inside?
Squirrels come inside homes for many reasons, but the most common one is to find food and shelter. During the colder months, squirrels are known to enter houses to seek warmth and safety. They may also enter your home to store food for the winter. As the weather continues to change, squirrels will seek out shelter in attics, crawl spaces and chimneys to build their nests. Once they enter your house, they can be difficult to get rid of on your own.
What are the signs of a squirrel infestation?
The most common signs of a squirrel infestation include noises in the attic or walls, gnawed wires, nests of leaves and twigs and droppings. If you hear running and scratching sounds in the walls or attic, chances are you have a squirrel infestation. When you notice gnaw marks on your roof and wiring, you might have squirrels nesting in your roof. Droppings and urine stains are also a clear sign of a squirrel infestation.
What type of damage do squirrels cause?
Squirrels can cause significant damage to your home and property once they get inside. They can gnaw on electrical wires, causing outages or fires. They can also chew through air ducts and plastic pipes, causing damage to your HVAC systems or water supply. Squirrels can also damage your insulation by tearing it up to create their nests. Furthermore, if left unattended, their urine and feces can contaminate your home, leading to potential health problems.
Preventing Squirrel Infestations
Here are the things you can do to prevent a squirrel infestation in the first place:
1. Seal any potential entry points with steel wool and caulk – Squirrels can fit into very small spaces, so it is important to seal every potential entry point. Use steel wool and caulk to seal gaps in your walls, floors and roofs.
2. Trim trees or branches that overhang your roof to prevent squirrel access – Keep trees trimmed back to avoid giving squirrels access to your roof.
3. Cover chimneys with chimney caps – Installing a chimney cap will prevent squirrels from climbing and nesting in your chimney.
4. Do not feed squirrels – Feeding squirrels can make them more likely to venture into your home in search of food.
5. Install birdfeeders away from your home and use squirrel-proof style feeders – Hanging birdfeeders away from your house and using squirrel-proof style feeders can help prevent squirrels from entering your house.
6. Never leave pet food outside – Squirrels love pet food, so never leave it outside or you’ll be inviting them in!
7. Don’t leave exterior doors like the garage door open – Squirrels can sneak into your garage through open garage doors, so keep them closed whenever possible.
8. Keep trash tightly sealed – Squirrels are attracted to the food in your trash, so keep trash cans tightly sealed.
Squirrels can be a nuisance when they invade your home. To prevent squirrel infestations, it is important to take measures such as sealing entry points, trimming branches, and installing chimney caps. If you are dealing with a squirrel invasion, it is best to call in the professionals at Pee Dee Wildlife to prevent harm to yourself or the squirrels. Remember to never handle squirrels on your own, and always call in professional help. By heeding these tips, you can keep squirrels out of your home and enjoy the sight of these little creatures from afar.