How are Squirrels entering my home?

Have you ever attempted to outmaneuver a persistent squirrel? Find Lansing squirrel removal near me to resolve the infestation.  Many property owners have bravely handled this backyard battle. Generally, the squirrel leaves the homeowner looking about as unlucky as Wile E. Coyote in a war of wits with the Road Runner. The analytical animals are frustratingly adept at using their acrobatic antics to make apparently impossibly long leaps onto bird feeders, slip into recently planted gardens or chew, squirm or squeeze their way into attics.

Why So Many Squirrels?

The population boost is likely caused by excellent acorn crops. The current moderate winter season developed an environment that led nut trees to produce bumper crops. Plenty of food motivates animals to increase their populations. With more squirrels, there’s an increased risk that they will find their way into attics. At this point, they go from being a yard nuisance to an indoor dangerous pest. As they search for entry points, squirrels might damage siding, soffits, fascia boards, chimney flashing, and even different kinds of exhaust fans. When in the attic, they might make nests where they create a mess of droppings and urine. Even worse, they can chew through wires, creating a potential fire risk, or destroy furnishings or other home contents if they get into living locations. Property owners, nevertheless, can take heart. These population eruptions do not tend to last long. Squirrels have a high mortality rate. Many only live a couple of months. And, while the past couple of years have actually benefited acorns and beechnuts, the forecast is not good for the population eruption to continue. Up until nature takes care of the problem with a return to more regular winter weather and a drop in nut production, here are some actions homeowners can do to keep squirrels out of their attics.

Examine the Trees Near Your Home

These suggestions apply to all trees and branches within jumping distance of your home, which is 6 to 8 feet.

Stop squirrels from climbing up the tree by attaching a two-foot band of sheet metal around the trunk six to eight feet above the ground. To fasten the sheet metal, wrap wires around the trunk and attach them together with springs. The springs will allow the sheet metal to spread as the tree grows. Cut trim branches so that the closest perch is at least 6 to 8 feet from your home.

Inspect Your Home for Attic Entry Points

Since attics typically become too hot in the summer season for squirrels to live in, summer is frequently the best time to block attic entry holes. Inspect Outside– Start by looking at the outside of your house for any existing locations where squirrels may have already entered the attic. A squirrel can get through an opening about the size of an adult fist. Inspect Inside– Then check the interior of the attic. Light shining through from the outside might show a point of entry. Seal Entryways– Seal all possible entryways safely and replace rotting wood, however, be aware that squirrels can scratch and chew their way despite your best efforts. Seal openings at joints of siding and overhanging eaves. Seal openings where energy cables or pipes get in structures. Use a Repellant– Spray the area with a tested repellant readily available at garden, hardware, pet, or feed shops. You can also use a homemade repellant by mixing hot sauce and water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of sauce to 1 quart water. Examine Chimneys– Install caps on chimneys. Check for gaps in the flashing at the chimney base.

Prevent Trapping a Squirrel in the Attic

If you think squirrels have currently entered your attic and you have actually found what appears to be their entry point, do not unintentionally trap them inside. To find out whether the squirrels are inside or outside your home, ball up some paper and stuff it in the hole. Wait 2 days. If the paper remains undamaged, there’s a likelihood the squirrels are outdoors. In this case, seal the hole. If the newspaper is pressed away, set a live trap. These are readily available from hardware shops. Cover the trap with a blanket or towel to minimize tension on the animal. Take the trap outside and release the squirrel in your lawn near its entry point to your home. Even if this seems justified because of the frustration the squirrel has actually caused, other squirrels will just move into your backyard. Squirrels are territorial, and the squirrel you’ve trapped and released now can not get back into the firmly sealed attic will keep other squirrels out of your lawn. Likewise, know that many states have a permit and/or licensing laws and policies that govern businesses that do wildlife work. And not all “exterminators” are permitted or accredited. People searching for an exterminator should make certain the person they work with is licensed or allowed in nuisance wildlife work which they provide proof of insurance and any warranties that come with the work. In most states, the authorization is given to individual professionals and not the company that uses them.

What If There’s a Nest With Infants in the Attic?

If a squirrel has constructed a nest in the attic that is not detected up until there are children, there are several choices to remove the mom and babies. Alternative 1 This requires patience. Wait up until the infants have left the nest. This usually takes 12 to 14 weeks. Then seal the entry hole. Alternative 2 This needs several steps but gets the mother to remove the children herself:.

1. Find the nest.
2. Gently use a pole and pull the top off or move the nest about a foot.
3. Place a radio set to an all-talk station about 6 feet from the nest.
4. Toss an ammonia-soaked rag connected with string or fishing line near the nest.

The mother will move the infants, normally very quickly if she has an alternate nest site. Alternative 3 This needs a telephone call … to an exterminator. Whatever you do, do not use poison. Besides potential risk to kids and pets, the squirrel could die in the attic. Read More On Are Squirrels Ever Active At Night