Signs of a Squirrel Infestation (And What to Do About It)
You may enjoy watching local wildlife from afar, but it’s a whole different story when those creatures decide to move in. Aside from being a nuisance, these animals can become hazards to your family’s health and safety. That’s why it’s important to identify potential infestations early and take action by calling a wildlife control specialist.
Let’s talk about a furry rodent who’s likely a common sight in your backyard: the squirrel. While these little guys might be cute and entertaining when they’re in their natural habitat, they can be downright destructive and dangerous when they make themselves at home inside your home. It’s highly tempting for them to do just that; since they lose up to 25% of their buried nuts to thieves in the wild, their food source will suddenly become a lot more secure when they take up residence in a house like yours. But how do you know when it’s time to contact a squirrel control expert? Watch for the following signs.
Strange Sounds
Squirrel families don’t tend to be all that quiet. Their normal activities involve a lot of scratching, rustling, scurrying, and chewing — all of which can be heard emanating from your attic or from inside your walls. Pay close attention in the mornings and evenings, which is when squirrels tend to be most active. Since they sleep when we do, they’re most active during the daytime. The good news is that it won’t keep you up at night, but the bad news is that this can make their activity hard to hear.
Unexplained Damage
When you’ve got squirrels in the attic or in your walls, you might not come face to face with all of the extensive damage for which these animals are responsible. That’s because most of it will be relatively hidden away — so if you don’t go looking for it, you might not observe it right away. However, squirrels have been known to nest in home insulation, damage air vents, chew electrical wires, and gnaw on wood and walls. They may also damage exterior areas of your home. While destroyed bird feeders don’t necessarily mean you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation, it does indicate you’ve got a lot of squirrels around. That alone makes it more likely you could require assistance from a squirrel control expert in the future. But if you spot evidence of chewed wiring, molding, or beams, you’ll want to at least have it checked out.
Foul Odors
If you have an infestation of any kind, the smell will often let you know. Droppings and urine are bad enough, but their nests will also give off a musty odor after a while. And if squirrels become trapped and are unable to get out of your home, they will eventually die and start to decay. That’s typically when a homeowner will call for possible squirrel control and removal, as there’s no mistaking that scent. Ideally, you’ll want to explore squirrel removal options before it gets to this point — but sometimes this may be the only clue you have.
Footprints and Food
Squirrels aren’t necessarily the most stealthy of creatures. They do tend to leave evidence in their wake — you just have to know what to look for. Aside from telltale signs of home damage and droppings, you may also be able to identify a need for squirrel removal by examining footprints and food sources left behind. It might sound cliche, but many squirrels really do leave acorns behind. If you see a stash of them on your roof or up in your attic, it’s likely that squirrels have made their way in for the winter. You can also identify their presence by their footprints, which are often left behind in the snow or mud. Should you see a set of four paws that have four toes on the front and five in the back, you may need to call for squirrel control services.
Although it’s almost summertime, that doesn’t mean your pest problem will automatically dissipate. If you suspect you’re dealing with an infestation, there’s no time to lose. To find out more about our removal services, please contact us today.
