Spring is a beautiful time of year. The sun is shining, the weather is mild, and plantings and trees perk back to life. If you’re an animal lover, you will also appreciate the excitement of the reawakening of wildlife. Unfortunately, as wild critters become more alert and energized for the spring mating season, they also become motivated to find nesting sites. And when considering two of the most prominent springtime critters, it can spark questions in homeowners, like “where do raccoons live, and where do squirrels nest?”

As any specialist in wildlife removal in Whitby can attest, squirrels and raccoons, for as cute as they are, can become significant problems in the spring. The mild season is mating season, and homeowners will notice a plethora of backyard activity. There are at least four reasons the increased energy and alertness of squirrels and raccoons are problematic for homeowners.

1. Bring Substantial Messes To Your Property

Raccoons and squirrels are not known for their tidiness. While typically clean with high-quality grooming standards, the animals do not care as much for their surroundings. 

During mating season, the critters are in desperate need of adequate nesting grounds. They will stop at nothing to find a safe and secluded den site. Unfortunately for homeowners, safe and secluded does not always mean far from your property.

If the animals decide to build dens or nest on or near your property, you will likely find evidence. You might discover droppings, food scraps, loose nesting materials, trash, etc. 

2. Cause Significant Damage To Your Home

In search of a safe home, many squirrels and raccoons find residential homes most appealing, especially the attic space. While it might not seem like the logical choice for any species wanting to avoid humans, you need to ask yourself, how often do you go into your attic?

Attic spaces provide shelter and protection from predators. Additionally, they typically offer a place of peace. Squirrels and raccoons commonly enter attic spaces, but they do not do so gently. 

Raccoons and squirrels are determined animals. They will chew through siding, pull away vents, and do any number of destructive things to access a safe place to house their family.

3. Carry Diseases

The destructive and messy nature of squirrels and raccoons are not the only reasons to want them away from your property. Both animals can carry diseases that make them particularly dangerous to people and pets.

If you notice an uptick in the number of raccoons or squirrels around your home, you will want to invest in removal. Do not attempt DIY removal options, as these can be dangerous, inhumane, and ineffective.

4. Challenging To Remove or Deter

Squirrels and raccoons are persistent and determined animals. Once they find a nesting site that provides adequate shelter and access to food, they will do everything in their power to stay. Even if a homeowner manages to block the wildlife out temporarily, it will find its way back inside, especially if it has young.

Hiring a wildlife control company is the only way to ensure your property is safe from wildlife invasion. Call a humane animal control company to investigate if you hear chittering, growling, snorting, or scratching coming from your attic space.

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control to assess your property and recommend humane and effective removal services. After the initial contact, the company will send out a representative to evaluate the situation and come up with a game plan. The timeline for effective removal and remediation will vary based on the client’s specific needs.