Spring has sprung, and that means it’s once again squirrel baby season. Now, more than at any other time of the year, you’re likely to have squirrels in the home. Mother squirrels are looking for safe, warm, and dry places to give birth and raise their young. Your home might be the perfect refuge.
At this time of the year, it’s important to be aware of the signs of squirrels in the home. Knowing what to look for can help you get rid of your squirrel problem early, before significant damage is done.
Here are the top four signs of squirrels in the home.
1. Strange Noises
Don’t dismiss strange noises in your walls and ceiling as the wind. The most common noises you’ll hear from squirrels are jumping and scampering sounds in the attic as well as persistent scratching. The scratching sounds will likely come from your wall cavities or your chimney sweep and may indicate a squirrel is stuck and can’t get out.
Squirrels are diurnal; you’ll hear most of their activity during the day. The evenings will be quiet. As most other animals that might be making noises in your home are nocturnal, such as skunks, raccoons, and possums, hearing sounds of activity during the day is one of the best signs of squirrels in the home.
2. Droppings
If you suspect you have squirrels in your home, check your attic, your garage, and any other hidden area. You’ll likely notice piles of squirrel droppings in the area. These droppings are a bit larger than those of mice, have rounded edges, and are somewhat barrel-shaped. They look similar to bat guano.
3. Roof Damage
The squirrels must have made their way in somewhere, and they’re likely using the same entry point to get in and out to find food. As a result, if you have squirrels in the home, you will see evidence of their entry on your home—most likely on your roof.
Because squirrels are rodents, they can chew through just about material, including wood and metal. You can differentiate the damage done by squirrels from other animals by paying close attention. If you were dealing with a raccoon, the hole would be quite large and obvious. If you were dealing with mice, the hole would only be the size of a dime—too small for a squirrel. A squirrel, on the other hand, will need a hole a bit larger, but not so large to be noticeable at first glance. Inspect your roof line closely. Check for damage to the outer panels, the eaves troughs, the fascia boards, and the shingles in particular. These are common entry points for squirrels.
4. Interior Damage
Once inside your home, squirrels will continue to cause more destruction to your home. Interior damage is one of the most obvious signs of squirrels in the house. If squirrels have made their way indoors, you’ll notice your insulation is torn up and shredded, your wood beams, drywall, and wall boards are chewed up, and your pipes and wiring are gnawed. You might also notice a mess, caused by squirrels building their nest.
What You Can Do
If there’s a squirrel in your home during this time of year, it’s best to assume there are babies safely hidden somewhere near. For this reason, it’s important not to evict the mother or block off her entry points back into the home. Young squirrels are completely dependent on their mothers and will not survive on their own.
The best thing you can do is to contact a humane wildlife removal company. Its technicians will take care to evict the mother and hand-remove her young. They’ll then reunite them outdoors, so they can find a new home together. They’ll then seal off entry points, decontaminate the attic, and repair the structural damage.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!