Squirrels

Squirrels are medium-sized arboreal rodents, belonging to the Sciuridae family. They are found in a variety of environments, including dense forests or urban areas, where they have adapted to human presence. Due to their curious behavior and climbing abilities, they are often seen in trees, but also around houses and gardens.

General characteristics

Squirrels are recognizable by their long, bushy tails, which they use for balancing, stabilizing, and communicating. Their large, constantly growing teeth force them to continually gnaw, a behavior that can lead to damage when they break into homes. Most squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon.

Diet and behavior

Squirrels are primarily herbivores and eat a wide variety of plants, including nuts, seeds, fruits, and buds. However, some squirrels may also eat insects or small animals when they find them. Their tendency to hoard food for the winter—by burying seeds or nuts—helps some plants regenerate, as they often forget where they buried them.

Impact on the domestic environment

In residential areas, squirrels can sometimes become invasive, especially when they are looking for warm places to nest. This can lead them to enter attics, walls or even chimneys, where they create nests with various materials.

Squirrel

How to Get Rid of Squirrels: A Complete Guide

Squirrels may be charming occasional visitors to your yard, but when they take up residence in your attic, rummage through your trash, or damage your plants, they quickly become a problem. Here are some effective strategies to get rid of these rodents and keep them from coming back.

1. Seal the Entry Points

One of the first steps to keeping squirrels out is to prevent them from entering your home. These small rodents are excellent climbers and can enter through holes or cracks in your roof, walls, or foundation.

• Complete Inspection : Walk around your home and identify any potential leaks, including vents, chimneys, and gutters. Look for signs of entry, such as claw marks or squirrel droppings.
• Sealing Gaps : Use putty, wood boards, or metal screens to fill holes and cracks. For chimneys, install pet-resistant chimney caps. Vents should be protected with fine wire mesh. Rodent-proof copper mesh can also be effective in sealing any holes you find.

2. Eliminate Food Sources

Squirrels are attracted to easily accessible food sources. Reducing these sources will encourage them to look elsewhere.

• Securing bird feeders : If you have bird feeders, use squirrel-resistant models. These feeders are designed to keep squirrels out of the feeder while still allowing birds to eat.
• Cleaning up food waste : Never leave pet food out. Make sure your trash cans are tightly sealed and keep food scraps neatly stored.
• Regular harvest : If you have fruit trees or a garden, pick up fallen fruit and harvest vegetables regularly. Squirrels are often attracted to ripe fruit and seeds.

3. Use Natural and Physical Repellents

There are several different methods of repelling that can be used to keep squirrels away from your property.

• Pepper-Based Repellents : Cayenne pepper, sprinkled around areas where squirrels are active, can be effective. You can also mix cayenne pepper with water and spray this solution on your plants or around your bird feeders.
• Essential Oils : Squirrels hate the smell of peppermint and eucalyptus. Soak cotton balls in these oils and place them in problem areas, such as attics or basements.
• Ultrasonic Devices : These devices emit high-frequency sounds that squirrels find unpleasant. Place them in attics, basements, or even outdoors to repel squirrels.

4. Capture and Relocate

If the squirrels persist despite your efforts, it may be necessary to capture them and relocate them.

• Capture Cages : Choose a squirrel-friendly capture cage such as the Havart cage , which has a spring-loaded door for secure capture. Place the cage in an area where squirrels are active, such as near fruit trees or bird feeders.
• Using Bait : Effective baits include nuts, sunflower seeds, or pieces of fruit. Place the bait at the bottom of the cage to entice the squirrel to enter completely before the door closes.
• Relocation : Once the squirrel is captured, relocate it at least three miles from your home to prevent it from returning. Choose a wooded area or park where the animal can find food and natural shelter.

5. Prevent Returns

Once you have successfully kept the squirrels away, it is crucial to put preventative measures in place to prevent them from returning.

• Maintain entry points : Continue to check your home regularly for new holes or cracks. Repair them immediately to prevent more squirrels from entering.
• Maintain Property : Keep your yard clean and well maintained. Trim tree branches near your home to limit access to the roof and reduce available food sources.

Active monitoring : Install cameras or monitoring devices to detect any new squirrel activity. This will allow you to respond quickly before the problem escalates.

The dangers and damage caused by squirrels

Squirrels, although seemingly harmless, can cause significant damage when they enter buildings. Their natural gnawing behavior and nesting habits can pose property and health risks to residents.

Material damage

Squirrels have teeth that grow continuously, which encourages them to chew on hard objects to wear them down. They are particularly attracted to electrical wires, a behavior that increases the risk of short circuits and fires. By accessing attics and walls, they can also damage wood structures and insulation, making your home less energy efficient and leading to higher heating and cooling costs.

Squirrels are also known to dig holes in lawns and gardens, damaging plants and uprooting bulbs and seedlings. When they move indoors, they build their nests with flammable materials like paper or pieces of cloth, further increasing the risk of fire, especially in ventilation ducts.

Health risks

Health-wise, squirrels can introduce parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, which can spread to humans and pets. Additionally, their droppings can contain bacteria such as salmonella or leptospirosis, creating an unsanitary and potentially dangerous environment for occupants. If a squirrel dies in an enclosed space such as a wall or attic, the decomposition of its body can cause an unpleasant odor and attract other pests.

Due to the potential risks and damage, it is essential to take steps to prevent squirrels from entering your home by sealing entry points and eliminating food sources that may attract them. Proactive vigilance helps protect your property and health from the adverse effects of these small rodents.

With the purchase of a reusable half-mask respirator , get a 10% discount on the 3M vapor cartridge .

Discount code: 6TZJ

de rabais
10%

With the purchase of a Webster Cobweb brush , get a 10% discount on the Webster Cobweb extendable pole .

Discount code: DTSQ

de rabais
30%

With the purchase of a FlowZone backpack sprayer , get a 30% discount on complementary FlowZone products .

Discount code: A29B