5 Signs That Indicate You Have a Squirrel Problem in Your Home

Each year homeowners from all over the country discover squirrels have invaded their homes, causing extensive damage. It is important to remember that they tend to chew on anything within their reach, including electrical wiring. This poses a significant fire hazard that can put you and your family at risk.

The first sign you might have a squirrel problem is hearing scratching and scurrying sounds at dusk or dawn. A foul odor usually follows these sounds. The moment you hear these sounds, you’ll want to think about calling someone like the professionals at Plano Wildlife Removal to come and take a further look.

Squirrel Droppings

If squirrels manage to enter homes, they can cause significant damage. They can chew wires, destroy insulation, and even cause building materials to rot. Additionally, they threaten human health as they can carry harmful bacteria and diseases like salmonella.

One of the first signs that you have a squirrel problem is noticing their droppings. You will notice them around your home, especially in the attic or walls. These droppings look slightly different from the light brown or reddish rat feces you are used to seeing.

If you have noticed these droppings, calling your local squirrel removal Toronto services is a good idea. They will be able to help you with the squirrel infestation and take steps to protect your home from future infestations.

Squirrel Nests

Squirrels are a natural part of nature but can cause problems when they find their way inside your house. The longer squirrels live in your walls or attic, the more they will degrade insulation and cause damage.

If you notice signs of gnawing on your home’s exterior or in the yard, you may have a squirrel problem. Likewise, if you see scurrying or other noises in your walls and attic, this is a sign of a squirrel infestation.

Mother squirrels often seek protected areas to raise their young, including attics, sheds, and chimneys. If you spot a nest, contact a wildlife removal specialist for squirrel control and prevention.

Squirrel Damage

One of the telltale signs of squirrels in your attic or walls is chewing damage. Squirrels will chew anything they can get their teeth on to file down their sharp, ever-growing incisors. This includes wood beams, ductwork, soffits, and electrical wiring.

You may also notice small divots in your lawn or chewed bark on young trees or garden plants. If you see this or hear scratching noises from your ceiling or walls, it is a clear sign that squirrels are living in your home, and it’s time to call wildlife specialists for removal and control.

Often squirrels access homes through roof venting such as mushroom, ridge, or gable vents which are usually covered with insect screens that the squirrels will easily tear to gain entry. You may also notice gnawed fascia and soffits leading into your attic.

Squirrel Tracks

Any animal living in your house for an extended period will leave its marks behind. Squirrels are no exception, and signs of squirrel droppings in or around your home, including inside the walls, indicate a squirrel problem.

Squirrels chew on objects to keep their teeth sharp, including edible and non-edible items like tree buds, seeds, and nuts. This can cause significant damage if they enter your attic, especially as they chew on electrical wires.

Another obvious sign of a squirrel problem is hearing scratching noises in your attic or walls. Squirrels can make these sounds as they are exploring your attic or beginning to build their nest. These scratches indicate a squirrel getting stuck in your wall or attic.

Squirrel Noises

Scurrying, squeaking, chirping, and scratching noises in your walls and attic are the first signs of a squirrel problem. Squirrels can cause extensive damage to your house and carry harmful diseases, so these sounds should not be ignored.

These noises usually originate from a mother squirrel raising her babies, but they can also indicate that the family has found a suitable place to hide in your house. They will often make these noises at dusk and dawn.

When squirrels detect an aerial predator, they sound an alarm that usually includes a squeak or high-pitched call. When warning against a ground predator, they tend to use deeper barks and rattling noises. They will also chirp to attract the predator’s attention.