Curious about squirrel behaviors and whether they can be dangerous? If you’ve noticed signs of squirrels in or around your home and wondered how long squirrels live or need squirrel removal in Columbus, you’re not alone. 

Squirrels are fascinating, adaptable animals, but their impressive abilities can spell trouble for homeowners. Understanding their survival skills can help shed light on why their presence in your home requires immediate attention.

Ingenious Climbers and Persistent Chewers

One of the most impressive feats displayed by squirrels is their ability to climb and chew. Squirrels are born climbers, equipped with strong hind legs and sharp claws that allow them to scale walls, fences, and even trees with ease. 

When they’re seeking shelter, your home’s roofline becomes a tempting target. Overhanging tree branches act as convenient highways, giving them easy access to soffits, vents, or other weak points in your roof’s structure.

Once they find their way onto your home, squirrels rely on their powerful teeth to gain entry. A squirrel’s teeth grow continuously throughout its life, meaning they must chew non-stop to keep them at a manageable size. Unfortunately, this behavior has consequences for homeowners, as squirrels can gnaw through wood, aluminum, vinyl siding, and even plastic. This chewing ability makes otherwise sturdy homes vulnerable, creating entry points that squirrels can exploit repeatedly.

Inside your home, the chewing doesn’t stop. Wires, insulation, beams, and ductwork all become targets. It’s all part of their instinct to nest and create a secure environment for their young. These chewing habits aren’t just inconvenient; they’re dangerous. 

Damaged electrical wiring can lead to shorts, outages, and in the worst-case scenario—house fires. Their activities highlight why immediate squirrel removal is essential and why homeowners need to act before minor annoyances escalate into costly repairs and safety hazards.

Seasoned Survivors With Lifelong Habits

Squirrels are seasonal survivors with remarkable instincts that allow them to adapt to varying environments. They aren’t picky about where they make their homes, as long as it provides warmth and safety. Many homeowners first realize squirrels are present during the winter when these industrious rodents seek shelter from the cold. Your attic, wall cavities, or even your garage can seem like the perfect refuge.

Once indoors, squirrels create nests with gathered materials like leaves, twigs, and even scraps they find within or around your home. What makes this so impactful is the longevity of their nesting habits. 

Female squirrels can begin birthing offspring as early as February, with a second litter often arriving late in the summer. Baby squirrels remain dependent for up to eight weeks, during which they stay in the nest under protection. By the time you notice the noise and activity, a full family may already be thriving inside your home.

That dependence, combined with the instinctual protection from mother squirrels, makes removing them more complex during nesting periods. Trained professionals have the tools and expertise to safely and humanely remove both adults and their young while protecting your property.

Interestingly, squirrels in the wild have an average lifespan of one to two years due to predation and natural threats. However, when they take shelter in your home, they’re often safe from predators like foxes or birds of prey. This relative safety can contribute to increased longevity, meaning they may stay for several years, causing long-term damage if left unchecked.

Health and Safety Risks Posed by Squirrels

Squirrels might seem like harmless visitors, but their presence in your home can lead to significant health concerns. These animals, like many wild species, are carriers of diseases and parasites that pose risks to both humans and pets. 

One of the key dangers is the bacteria and viruses found in their droppings and urine, which accumulate over time in insulation, walls, or other nesting sites.

A home infested with squirrels can also become a hotbed for fleas, ticks, and mites. These parasites hitch a ride on squirrels and may eventually spread to humans or pets in the household. The result could be skin irritations, allergies, or even more serious wildlife infestations throughout your home.

Beyond parasites and bacteria, squirrels’ constant activity can compromise air quality. Gaps caused by their chewing may lead to drafts, mold, or moisture buildup, creating an increasingly unhealthy living environment. Serious health consequences can arise if these contaminants aren’t professionally removed, particularly if anyone in your family has respiratory conditions.

It’s also vital not to overlook the emotional toll of living with a squirrel infestation. Noises like constant scurrying in your attic, chewing sounds in your walls, or the occasional sighting of a squirrel in your home can create ongoing stress. All of these factors combine to emphasize the importance of expert squirrel removal services to protect both your health and peace of mind.

Why Squirrel Removal in Columbus Should Be Left to Professionals

Attempting to remove squirrels on your own often leads to more problems than solutions. Squirrels are intelligent and extremely resourceful, making them tough opponents for even the most prepared homeowner. DIY removal techniques, such as trapping or sealing entry points, can backfire, harming the animals and complicating the situation for you. 

Here’s why Skedaddle’s professional services are the best approach:

• Thorough Inspection: Skedaddle conducts in-depth home inspections to find not only active entry points but also vulnerabilities that squirrels could exploit in the future. Knowing these details allows us to prevent re-entry successfully.
• Safe and Humane Removal: We prioritize humane practices. That means ensuring that baby squirrels are reunited with their mothers and transported safely outside. Handling baby squirrels improperly can compromise their health or leave you dealing with an angry and persistent adult.
• Comprehensive Cleanup: Removing contaminants such as nesting materials, urine, and feces requires industrial cleaning methods that go beyond what a homeowner can achieve. Professionals sanitize and deodorize impacted areas to eliminate bacteria and deter other animals.
• Repairs and Prevention: Squirrels are incredibly motivated to return to spaces they deem safe. Sent smells, scratched access points, or structural vulnerabilities attract repeat visits. That’s why we use robust materials like heavy-gauge screening, ensuring each access point is secure while eliminating alluring scents that may attract others.

Our trained wildlife professionals ensure every aspect of squirrel removal is handled with precision and care—an investment that spares you frustration, health risks, and future damage to your home.

Your First Step to a Squirrel-Free Home

Squirrels are fascinating creatures with survival instincts that allow them to thrive in cities and residential areas alike. Unfortunately, their ingenuity and resourcefulness can make your home a target for extensive damage and stress if they manage to get inside. By understanding their behaviors, the risks they pose, and the importance of professional removal, you can protect your home and family.

When you encounter signs of squirrels in your attic or walls, don’t wait for the problem to escalate. At Skedaddle, our team of experts is ready to provide humane, effective solutions tailored to your needs. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step toward reclaiming your space.