Need Help Removing Squirrels? Our Best Tips For Mitigating Squirrel Damage.

Removing squirrels, eh? Anybody who’s attempted this task knows just how difficult it is to get these growling small mammals out of your home and back into the wild. At first, with their big fluffy tails and perky ears, squirrels might seem like fun-loving animals that are too cute to be rodents.

In fact, squirrels are part of the scientific order Rodentia, just as mice and rats are. And just like this pesky duo, squirrels are more than capable of causing lots of damage and mess. If you’ve been wondering, “do squirrels chew wires?” the answer is yes. These rodents will chew on anything to manage the length of their teeth. They’ll happily chew through wood, electrical wiring, and the other infrastructure that makes your house a home.

Since squirrel damage can mean costly maintenance and repairs for Canadian homeowners, removing squirrels should take immediate priority upon discovering them. Carry on reading this blog to learn more about squirrels in Canada, identifying squirrel damage, and what you can do to mitigate the carnage that squirrels cause in our homes.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Squirrels In Canada?

Ultimately, squirrels are discovered all across the globe, with over 200 different species worldwide. The most common squirrels in Canada are Eastern Grey Squirrels, often intruding on homes throughout Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Elsewhere, Red Squirrels are prevalent in provinces like Newfoundland and Saskatchewan.  Whatever region you call home, it’s more likely than not that you have squirrels in the vicinity.

According to a May 2021 article by The Globe and Mail, the COVID-19 pandemic, and with it, fewer cars on the road, led to more home invading squirrels and a 30% rise in Toronto squirrel removal enquiries.

Identifying Squirrel Damage To The House (Backyard)

So we know that removing squirrels is your number one priority. Firstly, you’ll need to learn how to identify squirrel damage so you can prevent more destruction in the future. Envisage your backyard for a second. In short, there are several signs to look out for when it comes to identifying squirrel damage to the house.

• Uprooted plants and flowers
• Eaten nuts or fruits
• Small, dug up holes
• Damaged bird feeders, with chew marks. (Most often squirrels will damage the tray or container with seeds in their attempt to reach the contents of the bird feeder).

Identifying Squirrels In The Attic Damage

While you might think of squirrels as purely outdoor animals, they can also cause problems indoors. The following bullet points are signs that a squirrel may have made its way inside your home. Remember, it’s worth keeping in mind that squirrels in the attic or chimneys are a common occurrence. Keep an eye out for:

• Chewed wires or damage to vents
• Scratching, gnawing, or chewing noises
• A musty urine smell or sightings of droppings
• Holes in the roof

It’s also worth mentioning that rodents other than squirrels, namely mice and rats, can also cause some of these issues too. If you suspect any of these rodents have been causing mischief, and notice damage, it’s time to call Terminix Canada. Our humane squirrel removal and humane rodent removal teams use harm-free methods to get rid of squirrels and other rodents quickly and effectively.

Best Tips To Manage Squirrel Damage

When it comes to managing outdoor damage caused by squirrels, there are some preventative measures you can take. The first, which might seem obvious, is not to feed any animals, including squirrels that enter your yard. In short, if you feed squirrels, they’ll continue coming back, looking for more food.

Similarly, squirrels will often view the contents in bird feeders as a source of food – even if they’re closed off. That’s why you might find them damaged if you’re dealing with squirrels in your yard. To reduce encounters with the bird feeder, try bird feed that does not contain sunflower seeds, or pick the sunflower seeds out.

Additionally, since tree squirrels inhabit trees, it’s important to keep any branches that touch, or are within 20 feet of your house, trimmed. This will lessen the likelihood that a squirrel will enter your attic or home and begin to cause damage there. Luckily, professional contractors should be able to fix any squirrel damage inside or outside of your home once all intruding squirrels have been humanely removed.

Removing Squirrels Is What We Do Best. Leave Humane Squirrel Removal To Terminix Canada 

If you suspect squirrels in the attic or that a squirrel has managed to build a nest elsewhere in your home, contact Terminix Canada immediately. We specialize in solutions for residential properties so you can go about removing squirrels in a proper, efficient and humane manner. Ultimately, our humane squirrel removal service is the best and safest way for you to get rid of squirrels for good.