Squirrels can be very dangerous when they invade your home. When squirrels Invade they will chew on anything and everything in order to get food and build a nest. Squirrels have even been known to cause fires by chewing electrical wires. A squirrel infestation is also difficult because it’s hard to remove squirrels from your house once they’ve moved in and trapping them requires special equipment. The best thing you can do is try to prevent squirrels from entering your house in the first place.
Avoiding a Squirrel Invasion
Squirrels enter houses through holes less than an inch wide, so filling these holes up with steel wool or other such material is extremely effective at keeping squirrels out. You should also look for signs of squirrel nests in your attic or insulation. You can tell whether or not nesting has occurred by checking for feces and chewed-up paper that looks like it’s been used as bedding. If squirrels have made a nest near an air vent leading into your house, sealing it shut can help keep them out. Make sure all possible entryways into your attic or walls are sealed, caulked or filled with steel wool.
Signs of a Squirrel Invasion
Of course, squirrels can still enter your home even if you take all the right precautions. Squirrels are excellent climbers, and they can cling to vertical surfaces. Knowing what to look for can help you determine if squirrels have invaded, and you can take appropriate action. Here are some signs that squirrels have invaded your home:
- Lots of unusual squirrel activity outside your house – If you see a large number of squirrels on or around your property, be aware that they’re probably living somewhere nearby.
- Holes in your insulation – Squirrels love chewing on paper, so if you start finding bits and pieces of paper that look like they’ve been chewed up and jammed into holes in areas where insulation exists (attics especially), squirrels might be nesting there.
- Scratching sounds – Squirrels often scratch on walls to communicate with each other. If you start hearing plenty of scratching coming from your walls or ceiling, squirrels could be living there. If you hear lots of squirrel activity at night (they go out to gather food during the day) make sure to check your house for squirrel nests.
- Catching a squirrel in the act – Squirrels often try to break into houses when they’re young and inexperienced, so catching one in the act might be proof that more squirrels live inside.
To prevent squirrel infestation, follow our advice above on how to keep them out of your home. Once squirrels have invaded, knowing what to look for can make it easier to get them out. It’s important to never try to handle squirrels yourself as they can carry and transmit rabies and other infections. If you believe squirrels have invaded your home, call Pee Dee Wildlife Control for professional removal.