Hearing Strange Scratching Noises? You May Have Squirrels in the Attic
If you hear scratching sounds or scurrying noises coming from your ceiling, you may be thinking “are squirrels in my attic?” These wild critters often leave their natural habitat and seek shelter in attics, especially during early spring and late summer, when they give birth to babies. If left unchecked, a squirrel outbreak can cause extensive damage to your home.
How Are Squirrels In the Attic?
Common Entry Access Points to Torornto Attics
Squirrels enter attics through various entry areas, including holes in roof vents, gaps in fascia boards, and damaged siding. They can also climb trees to access your roof and find a weak spot to chew through. Once inside, they build a nest and attract other squirrels, increasing the infestation.
Why Your Attic?
Squirrels don’t target specific homes based on age or condition – any house attic can become a nesting site. While some homeowners may never experience issues with wildlife, others in the same neighborhood may deal with frequent infestations. A mother squirrel looking for a safe place to raise her babies prioritizes warmth, protection from other animals, and access to nearby food sources. Attics provide the perfect shelter for most squirrels, especially in areas with bird feeders or fruit trees nearby. Once inside the attic, she builds a nest, creating a secure space for her baby squirrels to grow.
The Dangers of a Squirrel Living in your Attic
Squirrel Damage to Your Home
A squirrel infestation can cause significant damage, posing risks to both your property and safety. One of the most serious concerns is the fire hazard created when squirrels chew on electrical wires. This damage increases the risk of short circuits and electrical fires, making prompt removal essential.
Beyond electrical issues, squirrels can also cause structural damage by tearing up insulation, gnawing on wooden beams, and exposing wires within the attic. Over time, this weakens the integrity of your home and may require costly repairs.
Health risks are another major concern. As squirrels nest and remain in the attic for a few weeks, their squirrel feces accumulate, creating a strong smell that can seep into your home. This odour not only makes the living environment unpleasant but can also attract rats, raccoons, and other pest problems, leading to further infestations.
Signs of a Squirrel Infestation
The first sign of a squirrel living inside is often the scurrying sounds you hear during the evening hours when they’re most active. You might also see an access point on your roof, chewed wires, insulation on the ground, squirrel feces, or a strong smell coming from your attic.
How to Deter and Evict Squirrels from Your Attic in Toronto
Humane Methods for Removal
One effective and humane tactic for removal is installing a one-way door. This allows squirrels to leave the attic to find food but prevents them from re-entering your attic. For situations where a one-way door is not an option, humane traps and live traps can be used to relocate the animal safely. However, you should never set live traps during baby squirrel season, as leaving young behind in the attic can lead to serious problems.
If there are squirrel babies in your attic, it is crucial not to separate them from their mother squirrel too soon. Removing the mother to relocate her without her young can lead to orphaned squirrel babies, which may die in the nest and create additional issues such as foul smells and pest infestations.
To further deter squirrels, natural squirrel repellents like apple cider vinegar or a few ammonia soaked rags can be applied or placed around points of access. Another effective strategy is to use bright lights in the attic, as continuous illumination can make the space uncomfortable and hopefully, squirrels leave on their own.
Seal Potential Entry Points
Once you remove the squirrels, preventing them from returning is a crucial part of the procedure. Sealing potential entry spots with a strong wire mesh, or a sheet metal flashing. Don’t use chicken wire though – squirrels can chew through that very easily. The metal sheeting can also be used to reinforce weaker or vulnerable areas on your home.
How to Prevent Squirrels from Returning
Secure Your Home’s Exterior
To effectively get rid of squirrels, taking preventative measures is essential. Start by trimming tree branches that provide easy access to your roof. While squirrels can still climb up the side of your house, reducing their access points makes it much harder for them to reach your attic.
Next, inspect your home for signs of squirrel damage. Repair any small holes in fascia boards, soffit panels, and roof vents to prevent re-entry. However, avoid sealing larger entry holes immediately, as there may be mother squirrels or a nest inside. To ensure safe and effective removal, consider contacting a professional wildlife control company.
If possible, check inside your attic entrance for small holes or gaps that need sealing. During the daytime, you can easily identify problem areas by looking for sunlight shining through. Addressing these weak points early can help keep squirrels out for good.
Remove Food Sources
Squirrels are drawn to areas where they can locate food. Be sure to store any bird seed in sealed containers, and remove the bird feeders if you see they’re attracting too many squirrels. Feed your cats and/or dogs indoors, pet food left outdoors will draw wildlife to your house. Secure your trash cans and organic bins. Check for chew marks on your garbage cans as well. Check your fallen fruit, if any, for chew marks or bites
Wildlife Control
Get affordable and guaranteed wildlife control services in Thornhill, Brampton and Mississauga.
Consult Wildlife Experts
If the infestation continues, contact the wildlife experts at Affordable Wildlife Removal Toronto to remove squirrels quickly and professionally and offer you affordable preventative solutions. We will perform an exterior inspection and close up any vulnerable areas, in addition to setting a one way door. We will also remove any baby squirrels that might be present and relocate them outside for the mother squirrel to find. Regardless if there are babies or not, all the squirrels will exit within a short period of time and eventually relocate on their own. We do not recommend DIY attempts with this type of situation happening in your attic. Setting a cage trap and separating a mother squirrel from her babies is cruel and inhumane, the babies will definitely die. But it’s also very unnecessary, there are easier ways to deal with wildlife in your attic. Call our Wildlife Removal experts for an estimated price, and we will explain the squirrel removal procedure and break down the costs for you. When dealing with squirrels in the attic, and possibly baby squirrels in a nest as well, any persistent wildlife infestations require expert intervention.
By addressing the issue early, you can get rid of squirrels safely and protect your home from further squirrel damage or holes. Remember to always treat wild animals with respect and take the necessary precautions to prevent harm to both humans and animals.
