Squirrel Damage and Its Consequences

Squirrels may appear cute and harmless, and as long as they stay outside, they usually are. However, sometimes squirrels get inside human homes, and when they do, they can cause a lot of property damage, which can be costly to correct. Squirrels do the most damage in the spring when they have their babies, which is why you should call for  professional squirrel removal in Victoria at the first sign of intrusion. If you keep a close eye on your property and keep your home’s exterior in good repair, you may be able to prevent squirrels from getting in or at least have them removed before they have time to do much damage. Here are the types of problems that squirrels can cause on your property and how they can negatively affect you.

Chewed Wiring

One of the most common types of squirrel damage, as well as some of the most dangerous, is chewing on wiring. Squirrels are rodents, meaning that their front teeth are constantly growing. Rodents such as squirrels have to gnaw on things to keep their teeth filed down. When they get into a house, they will often chew on electrical or communication wires. The insulation on these wires is often made of a natural material that rodents like to chew off and eat. Bare electrical wires can pose a fire hazard, and if the squirrels chew through communication wires, it can cause an outage localized to your home.

Roof Damage

Since squirrels are tree-dwelling creatures, they often access homes through the roof. They can chew holes in shingles, roof vents, soffits, or fascia to make a hole big enough for them to crawl inside. These squirrel entry points are vulnerabilities that may cause leaks. Leaks in the roof can allow moisture to get into ceilings and walls. This can lead to water damage and mould growth.

Damaged Insulation

Insulation helps to keep heat inside your home, making it comfortable and keeping you from using too much energy to heat your house. However, insulation also tends to be made of soft, fluffy material. When squirrels get into the attic in the spring, they are looking to build nests for their babies. Because the insulation is soft and warm, it makes perfect nesting material from a squirrel’s perspective. They may proceed to rip it up so they can use it to build a nest. When the insulation has been ripped up, it is not as effective at doing its job. As a result, you may see an increase in your heating bills. Damage from squirrel droppings and urine also impacts the amount of damage and the insulation clean up your attic will require.

Contamination

If you have ever had a rodent as a pet, such as a hamster or a gerbil, you know that they are not fussy about their excretory habits. Like other rodents, squirrels will urinate or defecate anywhere. However, unlike pet rodents that are usually healthy and clean, squirrels can carry dangerous bacteria and spread them through their urine and feces. For example, squirrels can carry salmonella, which causes gastrointestinal distress. Squirrel feces can also expose you to leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms and sometimes severe respiratory problems.

It is not advisable for you to try to clean up squirrel feces yourself. You may inadvertently spread it around your home. The safest way to deal with it is to have it cleaned up professionally.

Protect Your Investment With Professional Squirrel Removal in Victoria

Your home is one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Squirrel damage can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to correct. Therefore, you should be diligent about inspecting your home frequently for signs that squirrels or other animals have entered your property. If you find any, call Skedaddle for wildlife removal on Vancouver Island as soon as possible.