Some people find squirrels cute, while others are a little leery of this furry rodent. No matter where you stand on the pendulum of squirrel opinions, there’s no denying that they are industrious little creatures. They are well-adapted to survive in natural and man-made environments. Their presence is ubiquitous across the globe, thriving on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.
At Skedaddle, we understand squirrels. Our technicians understand their behaviours and know what they are capable of doing. When we respond to squirrel removal requests, we witness their sometimes impressive breaking-and-entering feats. Their teeth are made for chewing, and they can gnaw their way through some tough materials, which allows them to easily gain access to people’s homes. When we are called out on the job, we are rarely surprised by what we find. Though we frequently encounter new ways with which wildlife make their inroads into residences, we occasionally observe some remarkable accomplishments.
A Determined Mama Makes a Way
On one memorable call, a technician discovered a situation he’d never before encountered. A customer contacted us because a squirrel had managed, as squirrels sometimes do, to get inside the walls of the house. When he arrived at the location to remove the unwelcome houseguest, he found the intruder in question had chewed through the metal flashing around a second-story window.
Not only that, but she’d also made a nest, which contained three very young babies. These little ones were entirely hairless, blind and helpless. They were completely dependent on their mama squirrel to survive.
In his own words, here’s what one of our technicians, Daniel Lloyd, did:
“I have never seen squirrels chew through the metal flashing of a bay window. It must have been loose, and the squirrel took advantage of the situation to get inside a nice and cozy apartment. After removing the babies from the nest, I screened the spot they were getting in, but also all other potential areas they could chew through. We then installed a one-way door for the mother squirrel to come out. I placed the babies in a ‘baby jug’ with some of the insulation so that the mother could find and bring them to another nest.”
A Trained Professional Provides a Humane Removal
This example highlights the danger of taking on squirrel removal yourself when one finds its way into your space. These animals don’t mean to be a nuisance; they just want a safe place. Your house represents protection from the elements, predators and other hazards.
This is particularly true when it comes to protecting offspring. In removing an adult and relocating it, you are potentially separating a mother from her young, which means disaster for the babies and stress for the mama. The same risk exists when you attempt to seal off an entrance without knowing what is on the inside.
If you know or suspect that you have intruders in your home, enlist professional assistance. Humane removal means more than just keeping an animal alive when you extract it from a home, and it isn’t just about not relocating them. Using methods that are the least disruptive to wildlife instincts and behaviours keeps them safe in the removal process. This means that timing is important as well. There are some instances when it isn’t humane to immediately remove an unwanted houseguest, and a little patience is needed to wait for the right opportunity. Skedaddle is always there to walk you through our process and answer any questions you have along the way.
An Observant Homeowner Knows the Signs
Most homeowners realize a squirrel family has set up residence in their homes when they hear the skitter of little feet above their heads. That is definitely a sign to note, but noises aren’t the only clues. Numerous other indicators give away the presence of invaders.
Look for damage around windows, to shingles and along the roofline. Also look for small holes or destruction to the fascia, siding panels, eves and troughs. On the interior of your home, you can examine your attic for torn up insulation, which squirrels love to use for bedding, droppings that resemble bat guano and the telltale, overpowering odour of squirrel urine. If any of these indicators are present, contact the professionals for help.
A Squirrel Intrusion Requires Expert Assistance
At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, our technicians are highly trained in humane squirrel removal. Contact us today to get help with safely evicting wild animal intruders.
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