Remove Squirrels In The Attic
Watching squirrels chase each other up and around trees is very entertaining when enjoying nature. However, when those squirrels make their way into your home to nest in your attic, a cute critter becomes a damaging pest. Squirrels in the attic cause significant chewing damage and leave behind debris and refuse. Removing squirrels in the attic as quickly as possible is crucial to prevent substantial damage.
Squirrels Cause Significant Damage
When squirrels enter the attic, they leave a path of destruction. They are voracious chewers. Additionally, they are not picky about what they chew. Squirrels damage wood and siding to create access points and obtain materials for their nests. Also, because their teeth grow continuously, they chew to keep them short and sharp. These are not the only reasons it is crucial to promptly remove squirrels in the attic. Often they cause significant damage to wiring, leading to problems with power and increasing the risk of fire.
About Squirrels
Squirrels are rodents belonging to the Sciuridae family. They are closely related to chipmunks, prairie dogs, and marmots. There are over 200 species of squirrels that live on every continent, except for Australia and Antarctica. Of the three different types of squirrels, ground, tree, and flying squirrels, tree squirrels are the usual suspects when dealing with squirrels in the attic.
Squirrel Habitat – WHY THEY LIKE YOUR ATTIC
Tree squirrels build nests in trees. Nests are large and created by weaving together twigs, leaves, mosses, and other natural materials. However, tree squirrels are opportunists. They will take residence in hollow tree trunks and abandoned large birdhouses. If a sneaky squirrel gains access to your attic, it becomes crucial to remove squirrels in the attic quickly. They will not pass up a safe, dry space to build their nest.
Squirrel Diet – Burying Food In YOUR ATTIC
As the saying suggests, these crafty critters squirrel away food. They spend the late summer and fall collecting and hiding nuts, pine cones, and acorns. Favorite hiding places include areas with soft dirt and mulch, such as flower beds, planters, and landscaping. Additionally, they take advantage of seasonal delicacies. These include fruits, berries, tree buds, and insects in the spring and summer months. Another reason to promptly remove squirrels in the attic is to avoid food buried in your attic.
Common Colorado Tree Squirrels
Fox Squirrel
The largest squirrel in North America, fox squirrels are the most common tree squirrel found in Colorado. Likely, the fox squirrel is the one you are contending with when you must remove squirrels in the attic. Fox squirrels are 10 to 15 inches in length and range in color. They are primarily gray with tan to rust-colored undersides in their western habitat.
Abert’s Squirrel
Unless you live in an area populated with Ponderosa pine trees, it is unlikely that Abert’s squirrel will be the culprit when you must remove squirrels in the attic. Abert’s squirrels feed primarily on the Ponderosa pine’s twigs, buds, and cones. At around 20 inches, their most recognizable features are their tufted ears and long white tails. Abert’s squirrels often have a brown patch on their dark gray backs with a white belly.
Red Squirrels
Also called pine squirrels, the red squirrel is the smallest of Colorado’s tree squirrels. They average 11 to 15 inches in length. Red squirrels are reddish-brown with white around their eyes, muzzle, and bellies. Interestingly, the red squirrel stores its food in large piles, called a midden, at the base of trees.
Removing Squirrels From The Attic
If you suspect you are sharing your home with squirrels, swift action is essential to remove squirrels in the attic. Squirrels are opportunists and will move into your home and take advantage of a dry, safe place to live. The key to removing squirrels in the attic is prevention. However, because they can fit into spaces as small as 1 ½ inch wide, even diligent homeowners fall victim to squirrels in the attic. Once eviction of these pesky critters is complete, prevention techniques prevent future problems.
Prevent Squirrel Squatters
Squirrels do not need much space to enter your home or attic. Common entry points are vets, gaps in siding and eaves, and chimneys. They access these spaces from nearby trees and utility poles. Blocking access to your roof is a vital part of squirrel prevention. In addition, these 8 ways to get rid of squirrels on your property will reduce the need to remove squirrels in the attic.
Trim Trees
Squirrels are agile climbers. They are comfortable scurrying way up high from branch to branch and jumping impressive distances. Therefore, if squirrels can’t reach your roof, you will be less likely to need to remove squirrels in the attic. First, identify the trees squirrels are using to get your roof. Next, trim back any branches to leave an 8 to 10-foot gap. If the tree is too close to the house to leave a sufficient gap, place a slick metal or plastic baffle around the tree. However, it is important to remember squirrels can jump from neighboring trees.
Seal Potential Entrances
Another essential step to avoid the need to remove squirrels in the attic is sealing access points. Common access points include vents and fans. Steel mesh and vent covers limit access while still allowing airflow. Additionally, fill and repair any cracks or gaps in eaves and siding.
Trapping Nuisance Squirrels
If you find squirrels have made their way into your home, trapping them is one option to remove squirrels in the attic. Humane traps will contain the squirrel, leaving you to remove it with minimal contact. Release squirrels in the yard and implement preventative measures to stop the squirrel from returning to the attic. Although many people try to relocate squirrels, their chances of survival significantly decrease.
Offer Alternative Housing Options
Another method for preventing squirrels in the attic is to offer alternative nesting options. Providing squirrel nesting boxes entices squirrels away from the house into their own home. Wildlifecenter.org provides these guidelines and plans for building squirrel nesting boxes.
Professional Help
When faced with an unwanted pest in your home, it is usually to want to fix the situation quickly. Yet, a mother squirrel sealed off from her nest of young will cause her to become panicked. Thus, increasing the danger and potential for damage. Calling in the professionals at OMNIS Pest Control is your best option. Our professionals have the knowledge and experience to safely and humanely remove squirrels in the attic and prevent further infestation.
Contact OMNIS Pest Control Today
OMNIS Pest Control has been a trusted partner in squirrel and pest management since 2013. Contact us today for more information on removing squirrels in the attic and a free estimate.
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