Have you ever had unexplained noises coming from your attic or walls? Chances are, it might be squirrels. While they may seem cute and harmless, they can cause a great deal of damage to your home and pose a threat to your health and safety. They are known for their determined nature and have been known to find their way into attics through even the smallest cracks and openings. Once they get inside, they can chew through wires and insulation, and even cause fires. 

Not only that, but these animals carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contact with their waste. The good news is that squirrel removal in Coquitlam is possible with the help of professional wildlife control services from Skedaddle. In this article, we’ll discuss the common entry points and how to get rid of them safely and effectively.

How Do Squirrels Get in Your Attic 

If you’re grappling with the issue of squirrels in your attic, it’s crucial to understand their methods. These notorious animals are skilled tree climbers, making roof access a piece of cake for them. They’ll use trees as bridges to reach your home, meaning overhanging branches could potentially be serving as a direct route for invasions. 

Once they’re on your roof, they use their sharp teeth to create entrance paths. For the most part, they target weak areas of your home like loose, rotted, or damaged siding, eave gaps, vents, or cracks along the roofline. Due to their petite size, even a tiny hole isn’t too small for these animals to squeeze into. 

How Do You Keep Them Out Of Your Attic

The million-dollar question! Well, there are a few preemptive steps you can take to discourage these persistent rodents from setting camp in your attic: 

• Trim overhanging tree branches: They can jump from overhanging branches to your roof. Henceforth, any branches within six feet of your roof should be trimmed.
• Cap all possible entrances: Regularly check and repair any loose, rotted, or damaged siding. Updating your attic vents and chimney with mesh wire can also keep these agile climbers out.
• Disrupting their nesting site: Changes in their environment, such as introducing light and sound in the attic, can make them uncomfortable and motivate them to relocate.

Keep in mind, however, that these measures are not always foolproof and can often prove to be temporary. The most effective way to get rid of squirrels in your attic and ensure they never come back is by seeking professional help. 

The Silent Destroyers: Understanding the Damage Squirrels Can Cause 

Squirrels, being part of nature’s toolbox, are equipped with sharp claws and a gnawing instinct. Their nesting habits in residential homes — particularly the attic — can cause extensive damage. 

For a start, these animals love to chew! Their preferred targets include electrical wires. Their gnawing tendencies pose a serious fire hazard as stripped wires can cause a short circuit, or worse yet, trigger a destructive home fire. 

Besides wires, they also tend to chew on insulation, reducing its effectiveness and leading to a significant increase in your heating and cooling bills. What’s more, they often use insulation material for their nests, thus disturbing its placement and enhancing their destructive impact. 

Furthermore, they may compromise the structural integrity of your house by chewing through wood beams, which form the support structure of your home. 

Other Hidden Damages

Beyond the obvious physical damage to your home’s infrastructure, they also leave behind another type of damage that isn’t immediately visible. This comes in the form of their waste matter. These rodents in your attic mean urine and droppings in your attic. Not only do these produce an unpleasant stench, but they can also contaminate the area, causing significant health risks. 

Lastly, squirrels seeking warmth or safety in your attic are likely searching for a place to breed. Left untouched, a small problem can quickly multiply into a full-blown infestation, turning your peaceful home into a bustling hotel. Hence immediate action is crucial when it comes to dealing with squirrels in your attic! 

Health Hazards: Squirrels and the Risk of Disease 

Squirrels, like many other wild animals, are potential carriers of diseases that can infect humans. While they may not show symptoms themselves, they can still carry and spread these diseases. It’s important to remember that squirrel-borne illnesses aren’t just limited to those transmitted by direct contact alone. By merely being present in your attic, these critters pose a significant health risk to you and your family.  

Zoonotic Diseases Carried by Squirrels 

Among the potential dangers posed to human health are “zoonotic diseases.” These are diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans, usually through bites, direct or indirect contact, or via vectors like ticks and fleas. Some of the zoonotic diseases that they carry include: 

• Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial disease that they can transmit through their urine or droppings. If these toxic wastes come into contact with open wounds, or if they are ingested or inhaled, they may lead to a severe infection.
• Squirrel Poxvirus: While not hazardous to humans, this disease can be deadly to squirrels and can trigger serious outbreaks that lead to significant population loss.
• Tularemia: This disease, also known as rabbit fever, can be spread to humans through bites or direct contact with an infected animal.

A Threat to Pets 

It’s not only human health that’s at risk. Your beloved pets can also be adversely affected by the presence of squirrels in the attic. Apart from potential attacks and injuries, they can also catch diseases like ticks, mites, and fleas from these wildlife intruders. 

As evident, the health hazards they pose aren’t trivial and warrant immediate action. While it might be tempting to handle the situation yourself, it’s highly recommended to reach out to professionals instead. The process of removing them and cleaning up the mess they leave behind can expose you to potential health hazards. Thus, it should be approached with caution. 

How to Get Rid of Squirrels in Your Attic with Skedaddle 

If you’re dealing with these rodents in your attic or elsewhere on your property, the safest and most efficient way to handle it is to call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Skedaddle is a top name in Coquitlam wildlife control known for its humane, environmentally responsible, and effective practices. 

Here’s how Skedaddle works to free your home from the pestering problem: 

• Inspection: The first step involves a thorough inspection of your property. Skedaddle’s experienced technicians will identify their entry and exit points, and assess the levels of damage already done.
• Removal: Once the problem areas, entrances, and exits are identified, Skedaddle uses innovative and safe removal techniques. We pride ourselves on using humane methods that pose no harm to the animal.
• Proofing: Simply removing them is not enough. Skedaddle ensures that once they are removed, they do not come back. This step involves sealing the discovered entry points and reinforcing your home’s vulnerable spots to keep them out in the future.
• Cleaning: An infestation can leave a lot of harmful residuals behind. Skedaddle takes care of cleaning the infested areas, removing all traces of them, including droppings, nest debris, and any deceased animals.
• Support: After the process is completed, professionals at Skedaddle stay in touch to ensure there is no re-infestation and to answer any further queries you may have.

Problems can escalate quickly and pose significant risks to your home’s infrastructure and your family’s health. Timely intervention is crucial, and we highly recommend relying on professionals like Skedaddle for squirrel removal in Coquitlam. Our team of trained professionals have the knowledge, experience, and tools to effectively solve your problem and ensure it doesn’t recur. 

Remember, squirrels are wildlife that deserve respect and care, even while being dealt with as a problem. The focus should not just be on driving them out of your house, but on doing so humanely and responsibly, ensuring they don’t make your attic their home again. The more humane we are towards wildlife, the better we coexist. Familiarizing ourselves with the secret threats these silent destroyers pose is the first step toward peaceful coexistence. So, keep your houses sealed, your trees trimmed, and contact Skedaddle today if you’re faced with an invasion!