Though they’re small, squirrels can cause plenty of grief for a homeowner. In their efforts to find a suitable nesting place for the winter, they chew their way into houses, damaging roofs and vents. Once inside, their nesting behavior creates pricey consequences by destroying insulation, wiring, and cherished belongings. When squirrels get into an attic, it is important to contact a professional squirrel removal company immediately. If left unattended, the situation will escalate and lead to unnecessary trouble.
Damage to the exterior of your home
Squirrels most often come into a home through roof venting. These vents are rarely protected with anything sturdier than insect screening, which is easy for a squirrel to tear away. This not only creates a clear access point for the squirrel, it leaves your house vulnerable to insects. Squirrels are also known to chew holes in roofs to create an entrance for themselves. It is possible for them to produce an opening directly on the flat surface of the roof, particularly in areas where the wood has already been weakened or compromised by water damage, but it is more likely they’ll target corners and edges, which are easier to gnaw. Fascia, trim, and wooden gable vents are all common breach areas.
Damage to the interior of your home
Once they have gotten inside, squirrels are a threat to the contents of your attic. They will chew through cardboard boxes (and the items stored within), wooden beams, and electrical wiring, not only causing irreparable damage to your personal items, but creating a potential fire hazard. Insulation is also at risk when squirrels are present in an attic. They will tear, move, and dig into it to create nests for themselves, urinate and defecate throughout the area, and compress the insulation in paths of frequent travel. This ruins the effectiveness of the insulation, decreasing the energy efficiency of your home.
Health hazards
From disease to parasites, there are many health concerns to consider when you discover squirrels in your home. Their urine and feces can carry a number of illnesses including leptospirosis, salmonella, and tularemia, all of which are transferable to humans. The fleas, ticks, and mites often carried by squirrels can overrun their nesting material and infest the attic. Even once the animals have been removed, the insects will remain and are likely to spread throughout your home looking for a new host.
Squirrel removal
A squirrel population in your house is a matter that should be handled by a professional wildlife control company like ABC Wildlife. A full inspection of your home by one of our licensed squirrel removal technicians will give you the solutions you’re looking for as well as peace of mind that the situation is being handled with care and experience. ABC Wildlife will remove the squirrels from your home in a humane manner, find the places on the exterior of the structure where they have been entering, and offer animal-proofing options to help stop the problem from reoccurring. They will also be able to remove any contaminated insulation, administer a treatment to eliminate unpleasant odors and parasites, and then re-insulate the attic space. If you hear suspicious noises in your ceiling or see evidence of chewing on your roof, the longer you wait to take action, the longer the squirrels will have to damage your property. Be aware of the hazards of squirrels in your home, and don’t hesitate to call ABC Wildlife at (847) 870-7175 for help with your squirrel removal problem today.
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Vito Brancato is a wildlife specialist and educator with over 15 years of animal and pest management experience. He is a certified Wildlife Control Operator through the National Wildlife Control Operators Association and belongs to the National Pest Management Association and the Illinois Pest Control Association. He is an avid beekeeper and nature enthusiast.
