When you think of a squirrel, you might think it is adorable in all it’s fluffy tailed cuteness. However, if you happen to discover one in your attic, it might not appear so cute anymore. Squirrels can wreak havoc in your attic by damaging insulation, wiring, and support beams. The sound of a squirrel tearing up your attic can drive you insane. Removing squirrels should be your top priority.

You may hear one scampering around, scratching, digging, and chewing on things. If you suspect that there is a squirrel in your attic, you will need to remove it. Of course, getting rid of these critters is no simple task. There are methods that work and those that do not. Understanding which methods work best and which are a bust can help you in the long run.

Signs of Squirrels in the Attic

A squirrel’s teeth are always growing, and so they must chew on hard surfaces so they remain sharp. There is no better hard surface to chew than the wooden beams found in your attic. One clear indication that you have squirrels in your attic is the sound of them chewing on those hard surfaces. You will also hear them rustling and running around.

Audio cues are your first clue that you have a squirrel infestation. The sounds of their claws scratching, their teeth gnawing, or even them fighting with one another are often quite loud. However, you can also look for visual clues. For instance, if you were to gain access to your attic, you might see squirrel nests or droppings.

Look around the outside of your house, too. Do you see damaged areas on your siding or trim leading into your attic? Do you often see squirrels fighting with one another just outside your home? If you see squirrels fighting with one another often, it is indicative that the squirrel population is too large to support their nutritional needs.

The most obvious visual sign would be seeing the squirrels in your attic. You might find them huddled up together or scampering around. Fortunately, there is no need to fret. There are ways that you can remove them from your attic. Knowing which methods work and which don’t can help you with successful removal.

Mothballs and Other Home Remedies

In this day and age, many people opt for the DIY approach. The internet readily provides information that can be used to tackle day-to-day tasks. However, not all DIY methods are tried and true. For instance, you may find information on the use of mothballs and other home remedies to rid your attic of a squirrel infestation. Sadly, some of these methods don’t work.

Home remedies that you should avoid include:

• Mothballs: Although mothballs are often used to deter rodents, snakes, and other pests, they are often used illegally. Mothballs can pose a danger to both humans and pests when breathed in or ingested. Although squirrels do not like the initial smell of mothballs, like anything else, they can get used to it. Since they have a stubborn nature, they may return to your home to wreak havoc.
• Homemade Repellents: Homemade repellents are also often ineffective against squirrels. Like the mothballs, squirrels may not initially like the smell. Unfortunately, they will quickly adapt and overcome their dislike of the scent.
• Predator Scents: You might come across posts informing you how to create predator scents. Keep in mind that squirrels are both cunning and stubborn. They are clever enough to figure out that there is not a predator around and are stubborn enough to overcome the scent and come back.
• Homemade Poisons: There are also several articles informing people how to make homemade poisons to kill squirrels. First, it is dangerous to try to create your own poison. Also, killing squirrels may lead to an unpleasant smell. If they happen to die off in your attic, your home may wreak until the dead squirrels are properly removed.

Although the home remedies listed above might be tempting, it is best to avoid them altogether. Some of the methods mentioned may be unsafe for you, your children, and any pets you have. You may also find yourself wasting money on ineffective remedies, which can create an unnecessary financial burden.

Keep in mind that in the Greater Toronto area, as well as many other areas, all wildlife are protected. Therefore it is both illegal and inhumane to kill any wildlife or allow them to suffer. Consider the impact of your actions before you take any DIY approach. Professionals understand the legality of a squirrel capturing and can do so safely and effectively.

Trapping Squirrels in the Attic

Trapping squirrels is often your best method of defence. Traps allow you to safely and effectively remove squirrels without harming yourself or any other wildlife. Live traps allow you to remove the squirrel to a safe location far enough away from your home. Make sure the creature is released into the wild. Releasing squirrels into the wild puts them back in their natural habitat and prevents them from re-entering your home.

If you release a squirrel in close proximity to your home, you run the risk of re-infestation. To begin with, make sure you do not quite literally trap a squirrel in your attic. Some self-proclaimed experts will advise you to watch and wait for squirrels to leave your attic. Once they do, you may deem it safe to close off their access points to the attic.

Unfortunately, you may end up trapping a squirrel’s offspring up there. The mother will frantically try to regain access to the attic. Also, you will have the problem of baby squirrels that are still trapped up there. Instead, leave the access open and use a cage to trap squirrels as they exit. There are traps that keep them in place, allowing you to remove them without harm to you or the squirrel.

Professional Squirrel Removal

In all honesty, your best method is professional squirrel removal. The problem with the DIY approach is that you run numerous risks that threaten the safety of your health. For instance, squirrel droppings can prove hazardous to your health if breathed in or disposed of improperly. Also, squirrels can carry diseases that may negatively impact you if you are accidentally bitten or scratched that is why it is very important to clean your attic after squirrel infestation. Wildlife Shield offers professional attic cleaning and insulation removal services in Toronto.

Rather than attempting to remove squirrels yourself, call in a professional to help you. Professionals use various methods, namely trapping. They begin by inspecting your home to verify the presence of squirrels in your attic. Once confirmed, they use an exclusion device, or one-way door to trap the squirrel.

The device works by allowing the squirrel to exit through the door. Once they exit, they become trapped inside of a cage. The one-way door prevents the squirrel from re-entering the structure. If there is more than one squirrel, the exclusion device will continue to trap each squirrel until they have all been removed from your attic.

If there are baby squirrels in nests, the professional will remove them, too. In most situations, a professional can safely trap the squirrels alive so they can be released safely into the environment. Keep in mind that while there are poison options, they are not as popularly used for squirrel removal. If you have a squirrel infestation issue, contact a professional for help as soon as possible for your health and safety, and the safety of your home. For professional squirrel removal call Wildlife Shield: 647-560-3988