Are Squirrels a Threat to My Home?
May 3, 2022 12:00 am Leave your thoughtsSquirrels are rampant in various states in the U.S. However, while they may be a common critter, they are not the only common critter seen in many major cities. While they may look cute and fuzzy, they can pose a great threat to your home and cause damage if ignored. The dangers of squirrels in your home may go unnoticed until something happens.
Indicators of Squirrels in Your Home
Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels only come out during the night, since they are active between 7 pm and 7 am. You may notice sounds in your attic between these times. If so, more than likely it is a flying squirrel. They pose a huge threat to your home because they have teeth that are hard to keep at a manageable level. This means that they can chew and gnaw on many things in your home, resulting in severe damage. Flying squirrels can also occur in greater numbers than other squirrels since they live in colonies. Chances are if you spot one flying squirrel in your attic, there are more living there as well.
Gray Squirrels
If you notice sounds coming from your attic during the day versus the night, chances are you are dealing with a gray squirrel infestation. Gray squirrels leave the trees during the fall and winter seasons and chew holes in the rooftops of many homes without you even knowing. The most commonly seen squirrel, the gray squirrel, can be found in both urban and rural areas. The most nutritious food for gray squirrels is flower buds, berries, oak acorns, hickory nuts, and grass.
Squirrels breed during the winter months, and this means that they seek shelter in the attics of homes to keep danger out of their baby’s way. Another indicator of having gray squirrels in your home is if you hear things falling down the gutters. These are probably acorns or nuts from squirrels.
Electrical Wiring
Did you know that squirrels chew through electrical wiring? Squirrels mostly love to chew on any structures in your home, but wires are mainly their preference. This can result in major damage to your home and put your family in harm’s way since electrical wires are live and can start fires in your crawlspace, attic, or basement where the squirrels are living.
Additionally, squirrels carry diseases in their feces which contain bacteria. This means that squirrels’ urine and droppings are dangerous to anyone living with a squirrel infestation. It is both time-consuming and expensive to clean up a squirrel infestation.
If you believe you are dealing with a squirrel infestation in your home, it is important that you contact a wildlife removal company. Experienced wildlife technicians will be able to perform the job correctly and efficiently. Never attempt to get rid of the squirrel infestation on your own, especially if you are not equipped with the proper tools to do so.
Categorised in: Squirrel Control
This post was written by Ken Perry