Why Red Squirrels are the Worst to Get Out of the Attic
Squirrel Control Thornhill
Squirrel infestations are common in Thornhill but red squirrels are a whole different story compared to eastern gray squirrels. They may be cute, but their behaviour, territorial nature and unique nesting habits can make them a costly problem—especially when they move into your attic. Let’s get into why red squirrels are the toughest to remove and what you can do to manage them. Removing bird feeders is also important as it reduces the attraction of squirrels to homes and gardens.
Contact Wildlife Control Services
- Customized Wildlife Control Plans: Tailored solutions for each unique wildlife problem.
- Emergency Wildlife Removal Services: Availability for urgent wildlife removal emergencies.
- ☎️ Call AAA Affordable Wildlife Control at 416-560-8972 to get prevention strategies that get results.
Red Squirrel Behaviour
Why Red Squirrels Are Different
Red squirrels are different from grey squirrels in size, colour and behaviour. They are smaller and more nimble than the eastern gray squirrel and can squeeze through tiny holes in your home’s exterior. The eastern gray squirrel is highly adaptable to human environments, often nesting in attics and other parts of homes when their natural habitat overlaps with human habitations. They love areas with dense pine trees as they prefer seeds from conifer cones. Understanding the eastern gray squirrel’s nesting behaviours and adaptability is crucial for effective wildlife management and pest control.
Red Squirrels’ Nastiness
Once red squirrels get into your attic they make themselves at home. Their small size means they can exploit tiny entry points. Tiny cracks or poorly sealed vents can become entryways. And their food hoarding and nest building habits means they’ll keep trying to get back in if they’re removed so it’s important to address the problem comprehensively.
Common Problems Caused by Red Squirrels in Attics
Food Storage
Red squirrels, unlike grey squirrels, store food inside their nests. This habit means rotting organic matter in your attic, which attracts other pests and creates unpleasant odours. Their determination to get their stored food back can also mean they’ll keep trying to get back into your attic even after they’ve been removed. Understanding the squirrel removal process is important because of the nesting and food storage habits of red squirrels.
Structural Damage
Red squirrels love to chew on everything they can find, including wooden beams, insulation and electrical wiring. This not only costs money to repair but is also a fire hazard. Their constant chewing can undermine the structure of your attic over time. Additionally, squirrel feces can compromise insulation, pose health hazards, and contribute to unpleasant odours, making timely inspections and effective wildlife control measures crucial.
You need to get comprehensive wildlife removal services to address the damage caused by red squirrels.
Noise and Disruption
If you’ve had squirrels in your attic you know how annoying they can be. From scurrying sounds to high pitched chirps their activity is a constant disruption—especially in the early mornings or late evenings when they are most active.
Health Risks of Squirrel Infestation
Squirrel infestations can be a health risk to humans and pets. This is due to squirrel poop, urine and nesting material in attics, walls and other areas of homes.
Health Hazards
Squirrel Poop and Urine Smell
Squirrels can carry several diseases that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact or through their poop and urine. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be contracted through contact with contaminated water, soil or food. Salmonella is another bacteria that can be present in squirrel poop and cause food poisoning. Squirrels can also carry ringworm, a fungal infection that can spread to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated materials.
Squirrel feces can compromise insulation, pose health hazards, and contribute to unpleasant odors. These feces can damage property by contaminating insulation, leading to costly repairs. The unpleasant odors from squirrel droppings can permeate living spaces, making them uncomfortable and unhealthy. Squirrel dander and urine can also trigger allergies in some people, causing respiratory issues and other health problems.
Indoor Air Quality
Squirrel poop and urine in your home can significantly reduce indoor air quality. These waste products release ammonia and other toxic gases into the air, which can be worse in enclosed spaces like attics. Squirrel nesting material like insulation and drywall can also become contaminated with mould and bacteria, further compromising air quality. In extreme cases, the infestation can lead to toxic mould growth, which is a serious health risk to the people living in the home.
Why Red Squirrels Might Cost More to Remove
Entry Through Smaller Gaps
Red squirrels’ small size works against the homeowner trying to keep them out. They can fit through holes as small as a golf ball, so it’s harder to find and seal all the entry points. This extra work adds to the cost.
Persistent Return Behaviour
What makes this species of squirrel more annoying is their homing instinct. Once removed, they’ll often try to get back to their food stores. This behaviour requires extra measures like installing special deterrents or traps, which can add to the cost.
Aggressive and Territorial Behaviour
Red squirrels are very territorial, especially around pine trees. Their feisty nature makes them chase away grey squirrels and defend their chosen nesting area. This behaviour makes the removal process more complicated and time-consuming and requires professional expertise. Additionally, it is crucial to identify the presence of young squirrels during the removal process to ensure they are not inadvertently left behind.
Signs of Squirrel Infestation
Identifying signs of a squirrel infestation is crucial to prevent further damage to your property. Some common signs include:
- Squeaking or chirping sounds coming from the attic or walls
- Droppings or feces in the attic, walls, or chimneys
- Gnaw marks on wires, insulation, or wood
- Nesting material such as leaves, twigs, or shredded paper
- Unusual odors or smells coming from the attic or walls
- Squirrels were seen entering or exiting the property through vents, chimneys, or holes in the roof
If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to contact a licensed squirrel control service to remove the squirrels and prevent further damage humanely. Early detection and intervention can save you from costly repairs and health risks associated with squirrel infestations.
Squirrel Pest Control Methods
Inspection and Identification
The first step in addressing a red squirrel infestation is to identify the signs of their presence. Squirrel droppings are small, so look for corn kernel-sized poop, chewed insulation or pinecone debris. Listen for unusual noises in the early morning hours to confirm their activity.
Sealing Entry Points
Once confirmed they’re present, seal all entry points. Use heavy-duty materials like metal flashing or hardware cloth to block smaller gaps. Regular exterior inspections of your home can prevent future invasions.
Humane Removal Methods
Professional pest control services specialize in humane wildlife removal, using humane doors and traps to evict and catch and relocate red squirrels, emphasizing their commitment to the ethical treatment of animals during the removal process. These methods are effective and compliant with local wildlife regulations, so the squirrels are removed safely without harm.
Squirrel Nest Removal
Removing squirrel nests is an important step in reducing health risks and preventing the spread of diseases. But be careful when handling the nests as they can carry various pathogens and parasites.
Squirrel Nests
Squirrel nests are made of twigs, leaves and other natural materials and can be found in attics, walls and other hidden areas of the home. Signs of a nest are squirrel poop, urine stains and nesting material. When dealing with squirrel nests wear protective gear like gloves and mask to minimize disease transmission.
By knowing the health risks of squirrel infestations and taking proactive measures, you can protect yourself, your pets and your property from the wild animals.
Preventing Future Squirrel Infestations
Landscaping Changes
Prevention starts with making your property less appealing to red squirrels. They are attracted to pinecones, seeds and other food sources found in yards with pine trees. Remove these attractants and squirrels will be less likely to come near your home. Trim branches that touch or overhang your roof to prevent access to your attic. Remove bird feeders to reduce squirrel attraction to your property.
Regular Inspections
Regular checks around your home will help you spot potential entry points before they become a problem. Look for gaps in your roofline, damaged vents or loose siding. Keep your property well maintained and you’ll stay ahead of the infestation.
Professional Pest Control Services
While DIY methods may give you a temporary fix, professional wildlife control services will give you a permanent solution. Experts not only remove squirrels but also secure your home from future invasions. They know red squirrel behavior so the process is thorough and efficient.
Why Professional Squirrel Removal Services
Expertise
Wildlife control is necessary for red squirrel infestations, it requires knowledge of their behavior and habits. Humane squirrel removal services have the expertise to find nesting sites, entry points and the best removal methods during the squirrel baby season.
Safety and Efficiency
Dealing with squirrels can be dangerous especially if they feel threatened and become aggressive. Pest control professionals remove the squirrels safely, minimizing risk to you and your property.
Long Term Solutions
Squirrel control professionals don’t just remove squirrels, they prevent them from coming back. From sealing entry points to giving advice on property maintenance, they provide solutions to keep your attic squirrel free.
Why Choose Our Squirrel Removal Toronto Experts
Choosing our squirrel removal Toronto service is crucial to ensure that the removal process is done humanely and effectively. A licensed service will have the necessary expertise and equipment to safely remove the squirrels and prevent future infestations. Additionally, a licensed service will be aware of local regulations and laws regarding wildlife removal.
Some benefits of choosing our affordable squirrel control service include:
- Humane removal of squirrels
- Effective prevention of future wildlife intrusions
- Compliance with local regulations and laws
- Expertise and equipment to safely remove squirrels
- Warranty and guarantee of work
By opting for a licensed service, you ensure that the squirrel removal process is thorough, and compliant with all legal requirements, providing you with a safe and effective resolution to your wildlife issues.
Coexisting with Wild Animals in Thornhill
Thornhill is a community that values coexisting with wild animals. However, when wild animals enter homes or businesses, it can create a host of problems. Squirrels, in particular, can cause significant damage to properties and pose health risks.
To coexist with wild animals in Thornhill, it’s essential to take preventative measures such as:
- Sealing all entry points to prevent squirrels from entering
- Trimming tree branches to prevent squirrels from jumping onto the roof
- Installing wire mesh caps on chimneys and wall vents
- Keeping bird feeders clean and secure to prevent attracting squirrels
By taking these preventative measures, you can reduce the risk of squirrel infestations and coexist with wild animals in Thornhill. Maintaining a balance between human habitation and wildlife is key to a harmonious living environment.
Thornhill Squirrel Control Steps
Thornhill squirrel control steps involve a comprehensive approach to remove squirrels from properties and prevent future infestations. Here are some steps involved in the process:
- Inspection: A thorough inspection of the property to identify all entry points and weak areas.
- Removal: Humanely removing the squirrels from the property using one-way doors or other humane methods.
- Exclusion: Sealing all entry points to prevent future infestations.
- Cleanup: Removing all feces and debris from the attic and disinfecting the area.
- Prevention: Installing wire mesh caps on chimneys and wall vents and trimming tree branches to prevent future infestations.
By following these steps, you can effectively control squirrel infestations in Thornhill and prevent future problems. Professional squirrel control services ensure that each step is carried out meticulously, providing you with a safe and squirrel-free home.
Red Squirrel Removal Cost
Cost Factors
Several factors affect the cost of red squirrel removal: the severity of the infestation, the extent of damage and the time to remove the squirrels. Larger infestations or those that require more repairs will cost more.
But professional squirrel removal services offer affordable pricing and highlight their expertise in humane and effective wildlife management.
Costs vs Benefits
While it may seem expensive upfront, it’s worth it. Addressing the problem now will prevent further damage and higher repair bills later. And the peace of mind of knowing your home is secure is priceless.
Summary
Red squirrels may be small but the problems they bring are big. They can squeeze through tiny gaps, hoard food and defend their territory making them one of the hardest pests to remove from an attic. But with prevention, professional services and maintenance you can keep your home squirrel free and avoid the costs of repeated infestations.
