Squirrels are adorable furry creatures when they are scurrying about at parks. However, they lose their charm when they invade your property. To prevent this, you need to know how squirrels get into homes.
Squirrels can enter your property through developing holes, uncapped chimneys, unscreened roof vents, gable vents, and wall vents. They can also chew through wood siding, shingles, and aluminum to access the attic space. Squirrels love attics because they are warm, dry, and shielded from harsh weather.
Fortunately, Advanced Wildlife Removal can protect your home against squirrels by sealing all potential entry points and removing any nesting in your attic.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU HAVE SQUIRRELS IN YOUR WALLS?
Some of the tell-tale signs of having squirrels in your walls include:
A noticeable increase in local squirrel activity
An uptick in the squirrel population around your home scampering nearby trees can be a precursor to an infestation. Squirrels often scout for nesting spots close to their food sources. So, if you observe squirrels frequently near your home, particularly inspecting entry points or rooflines, they might be considering your home for their next nest.
Sounds of scratching and scampering
The most common and noticeable sign is the sound of movement in your walls or attic. If you hear persistent scratching or scurrying sounds, especially in the evenings and mornings when adult squirrels tend to leave and return to their nests, it’s likely you have a squirrel infestation.
Evidence of gnawing
Teeth marks on ductwork, wooden beams, electrical wiring, and soffits are signs of a squirrel infestation in your home. Aside from signifying an infestation, the damage also poses significant risks, such as electrical fires or structural damage.
Unusual odors
A strong, musky odor can indicate a squirrel’s presence. This smell often emanates from their nesting materials, urine, and droppings accumulated over time or, even worse, a dead squirrel. If you notice a persistent, unpleasant smell in areas like your attic, it could be due to a squirrel infestation.
Squirrel droppings identification
Finding squirrel feces on your property can be a clear sign of an infestation. Their droppings resemble rat poop in texture and color. However, squirrel droppings are larger and barrel-shaped. Since these droppings carry diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella, it’s best to let a professional animal removal company handle the removal and clean-up process, but be sure they specialize in rat removal.
ARE SQUIRRELS ACTIVE IN WALLS AT NIGHT?
Squirrels are primarily diurnal creatures, which means they are active during the day. Unlike a mouse and rats, which are nocturnal and more likely to be heard at night, squirrels typically rest during the evening and night hours. So, if you hear scratching in the walls at night, it’s more likely mice or rats.
HOW LONG CAN SQUIRRELS LIVE IN A WALL?
Squirrels can live in a wall for an extended period, often for the duration of their nesting cycle, lasting several weeks to months. However, the exact time they remain in a wall depends on various factors, including the availability of food and water, the safety of the nest from predators and human interference, and the environmental conditions.
During their stay, squirrels regularly venture out of their nest to forage for food. If the conditions inside the wall remain favorable and they have easy access to food and water sources, they may choose to stay longer, potentially even reusing the nest for multiple nesting cycles.
It’s important to note that the longer squirrels live in a wall, the more damage they can cause, leading to structural damage and increasing the risk of electrical fires. As such, it’s advisable to address squirrel infestation as soon as it’s detected to minimize potential damage and health risks associated with their droppings and urine.
WHAT DOES A SQUIRREL SOUND LIKE IN A WALL?
Squirrels often make scratching noises. You can also hear them running around in the wall voids and your attic. Besides this, they have a wide vocal range, which allows them to grunt, bark, and squeak. When they’re gnawing on objects, you might hear rubbing and scraping noises. And when there are baby squirrels, you might hear high-pitched chirping noises.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HEAR SQUIRRELS IN YOUR WALLS?
When you’ve determined there are squirrels in your wall or attic, you should call a professional wildlife removal company to help.
An animal removal company like Advanced Wildlife Removal will inspect the attic to determine the size of the infestation and the removal method to use. Aside from removal, we’ll take measures to prevent the squirrels’ entry into your home.
HIRE ADVANCED WILDLIFE REMOVAL
Dealing with squirrels in your home, especially within walls, requires professional squirrel removal. Advanced Wildlife Removal offers professional services to safely and effectively handle your squirrel problem. Our team of trained specialists understands the behavior of squirrels and uses safe methods to remove them from your home.
Addressing a squirrel infestation promptly can save your home from potential damage and ensure your family’s safety and well-being. Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step towards a squirrel-free home.