Having a squirrel invade your home is a frustrating experience. Aside from the fact that it is annoying to hear them running around above your head, it is also dangerous. Squirrels can cause significant property damage. They can also pose a threat to your health because of the diseases they carry.

You might be tempted to take matters into your own hands, but you should think again. The idea of poisoning a squirrel to get rid of it once and for all may sound appealing, but it is a bad idea. Understanding why it is a bad idea can help you in making the right choice when it comes to handling squirrel invaders.

The Smell

Least important on the list is the smell the dead squirrel will produce. If you poison a squirrel and it happens to die in your attic or behind your walls, it will produce a horrendous smell. It can take weeks, perhaps even months for the smell to disappear. In the meantime, the smell of rotting carcass may attract other pests to your home.

The Accidents

Poisoning a squirrel can lead to unwanted accidents. For instance, another creature may ingest the poison rather than your targeted squirrel. In that case, you will have killed a wild animal for no reason. Poisons pose a threat to wildlife because they cannot identify that it is dangerous to them.

The Legality

Canada has specific laws and regulations in place that protect wildlife against unnecessary pain and suffering. Some poisons may cause a squirrel to suffer unnecessarily. If you opt to use a poison, you may find yourself in violation of certain laws and regulations. You cannot trust all labels that claim to provide fast-acting, humane results, either.

What to Do Instead

Instead, you should hire a professional squirrel removal to assist you. A pest control company can remove the squirrel from your home safely and effectively. They will find a safe, appropriate location for the squirrel and likely release it back into the wild. Pest control companies often do their best to use trapping methods rather than kill methods to handle squirrel invasions.

With trapping, both you and the squirrel enjoy a peaceful remedy to the situation. You no longer have to deal with the squirrel and the squirrel gets to live free in a natural habitat. Never attempt a DIY trapping approach. You risk contaminating yourself with dangerous diseases. Instead, squirrel trapping is best left to a wildlife professional