Squirrels are cute, interesting, and sometimes odd creatures. You’ve probably noticed how erratic these animals act when they spot a fast-moving car approaching. Many will hesitate, and then, at the last minute, they jump out into the street and dart back and forth in front of the vehicle.

These annoying antics are compounded by the fact that many squirrels choose to nest inside residential homes. How do you get rid of the squirrels on your property and send them back into the wild where they belong? Learn more about how to predict squirrel behaviour and understand when to call a squirrel removal in Barrie professional.

Why Do Squirrels Jump in Front of Cars and Stop?

Confused by squirrels jumping and darting on the road? Squirrels act on instinct when they’re afraid — and seeing your gigantic car rushing toward them certainly inspires fear. In this situation, the squirrel will do the following things:

It Will Freeze

For some animals, it’s instinctual to pause even in the face of a predator. This is part of the fight, flight, or freeze response that most animals have to deal with threats. It helps them assess the situation and not attract more attention to themselves. 

This freezing behaviour can be dangerous for squirrels and drivers. Spotting a squirrel “freezing” may prompt you to stop your car in the middle of the road to avoid hitting it.

It Will Dart Around

Experts think that squirrels’ erratic movement patterns help them avoid predators in the wild. After stopping, the squirrel will dart back and forth quickly to keep the predator guessing. Unfortunately for you — the driver of the car — this behaviour does keep you guessing. You may try to avoid the squirrel by moving your car only to notice the squirrel darting back toward the car a split second later.

To avoid accidents, it’s better to keep driving forward and slow down, if possible to allow the squirrel to safely get out of the way. Don’t jerk your car around to try to avoid the animal as it’s nearly impossible to predict its movement pattern.

Why Do Squirrels Invade My Home in the Fall?

Do you find yourself searching for “squirrel removal near me” every fall season? Like mice, raccoons, and other small animals in Canada, squirrels seek out warmth and shelter in the cold — which makes fall a perfect time for these rodents to go house-hunting in your attic. Squirrels looking for a nesting spot are also trying to prevent their young from getting eaten by predators.

It’s important to remove the animals, and it’s equally crucial to prevent them from getting in again. Skedaddle offers a “prevent and protect” program that aims to use squirrel-proof materials to deter a second infestation after we remove squirrels the first time.

How Do I Get Rid of Squirrels in My Home?

A quick internet search will suggest that you can use the pungent odours of mothballs or ammonia, play loud music, or set traps for your unwanted squirrel residents (and then drop them somewhere in the wild) to force them out of your attic. None of these methods are reliable, and they’re certainly not humane.

When you work with Skedaddle, we’ll hand-remove any baby squirrels and ensure that the family unit can safely relocate themselves to another den site in the area. Next, we find the squirrels’ entry point and seal it. It’s not a good idea to DIY this part of the project with spray foam or another material that might keep a smaller rodent out.

Schedule Your Inspection With Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control

Squirrels may be adorable, but it’s important to remember that they’re still wild animals.If you need help getting a family of squirrels out of your attic, let us help! Contact squirrel removal in Barrie professionals to schedule your inspection today.