Signs That You Have a Squirrel Problem in Your Home
We are able to provide a pest control service to remove any infestation and take steps to try and prevent another infestation occurring whether it is through one-off treatments or continued maintenance.
Squirrels may not be an obvious or a common pest but when they do begin to appear around your property, they can cause problems.
There are 2.5 million grey squirrels in the UK, vastly outnumbering the 120,00 red squirrels which are the second most common while there are less common black and brunette squirrels.
Why do I have a squirrel infestation?
Squirrels seek out warm places to build a nest which makes your loft or chimney a popular spot for them to settle.
Squirrels tend to be attracted close to your property by trying to take the food out of bird feeders you may have in your garden.
From there, squirrels may choose to investigate the property itself and may find a way into your property through gaps or by coming down the chimney.
Squirrels can fit through gaps that are only two inches wide so even though they may look reasonably big, they can still make their way through the gap and get inside your property.
Tree branches that reach towards your property can provide a bridge between a squirrel in a tree and your property.
Signs and consequences of a squirrel infestation
Squirrels like to eat the bark off of trees and while you may not notice some eating from your bird feeder, they may end up knocking it over.
If you see multiple squirrels in your garden regularly, then this is a sign that they have set up a nest nearby or even inside your home.
Squirrels don’t cause harm to humans through bites or by spreading disease but they can cause harm and misery through their actions.
Squirrels like to chew through woodwork causing damage both externally and structurally to your property which could cost thousands of pounds to repair.
In serious cases where squirrels have been there for a long while, structures can even be at threat of collapse if you or a professional tries to inspect the damage.
Squirrels also like to chew through water pipes and electric cables. At best, there is the inconvenience and cost of having to fix these but at worst, squirrels can cause fires in properties by chewing through electric cables.
Squirrels aren’t dirty in particular but if they get into water tanks, they may urinate and leave their droppings in them which contaminates the water.
Squirrels are most active in the early hours of the morning so you will often hear them scuttling around in your attic which may wake you up and prevent you from going back to sleep.
These sounds along with any damage to woodwork or unidentified droppings in your attic may point to signs of a squirrel infestation.
How to cope and deal with a squirrel infestation
It is difficult to remove a squirrel infestation yourself but there are steps you can take to limit their damage until a professional provides pest control treatment.
You should block any holes and gaps where squirrels might be coming in from if these openings are in easy to reach places for you.
You can buy bird feeders that are designed to prevent squirrels from eating the contents so if they can’t get food from your garden, they will know that there is no food source for them there.
If you can, you should try and cut down any branches from trees that extend towards your home so squirrels don’t have a clear jump onto your roof.
If you have or suspect you might have a squirrel infestation in your property, you can call us on 01245 526726 or email [email protected] to discuss the options for treatment with you.