There are more to squirrels than their cute, fluffy personas would have you believe. Much to any homeowner’s dismay, finding them on the property leaves a significant mess behind. It doesn’t take much, but squirrels can easily dig up holes, gnaw furniture, and cause other damage as they move around the home. Below are five common damage points squirrels are known to cause.
1. Electrical
Squirrels love to chew, and electrical wires are just one of many materials they’ll sink their teeth into. The problem with squirrels chewing down wires is that it could result in a spark or electrical fire. Bare wires are a safety hazard homeowners need to watch out for.
Squirrels entering the home and attic see exposed wires as a treat, and they’re ready to gnaw away at them, chewing them right down to the wire. Lights may flicker or unexplainably go out, and appliances might stop working for no apparent reason. An electrician will need to be called in to inspect and repair the damage. Chewed wires due to wildlife aren’t generally covered by homeowner’s insurance, leaving you with a hefty repair fee to pay out of pocket.
2. Garden and Plants
These burrowing critters can tear up a beautiful garden in no time. They dig holes in the turf to bury nuts and other seeds, and then dig the holes back up to retrieve their loot. Squirrels, like people, enjoy fruits and vegetables, and they’ll help themselves to whatever’s available in the backyard. While they do so, they’ll leave lumps of soil and half-eaten vegetables behind.
Bark and twigs on landscaped bushes are plentiful and ready to chew, and they’ll feed on garden plants while they’re in the area. Squirrels even like birdseed, and they’ll destroy a bird feeder on their mission to retrieve the good insides. The time, energy, and money spent on a beautiful garden are ruined when squirrels come in with an agenda of their own.
3. Sleeping Interference
It might be hard to get a good night’s rest when squirrels are moving through the home. While this isn’t physically damaging, it’s mentally exhausting. The thought of squirrels living in the home gives many homeowners anxiety and concern, as they hear them move around and worry about what’s happening to their home.
Tree squirrels are active in the morning and quiet at night, so they won’t disturb homeowners while sleeping, but flying squirrels make noise when it’s dark out. These after-hour activities are concerning for many, and it impacts the chance of a worry-free sleep knowing there’s something roaming around the home. Constant scuffling in the walls isn’t fun to deal with.
4. Indoor Structure
Squirrels chew holes inside, leave wood chips all over the place, and cause damage to air vents on their way in. Baseboards may have scratch marks left behind from squirrels’ movements along from one part of the house to the other.
Squirrels hardly pause their gnawing habit, meaning wooden beams and other interior structure are up for grabs. It’s all to keep their ever-growing incisors trim, and the home happens to have plenty of available chew spots.
5. Insulation
Insulation is one of those materials beloved by rodents alike. It’s meant to keep the heat in your home, and it happens to be a popular spot for squirrels. They like the warmth it provides, and they’ll constantly move it around to different spots of the attic. They’ll trample, push, and pile insulation, clearing entire sections down until it no longer does the job it’s designed for.
A thick, even layer of insulation retains heat and keeps the home at a comfortable temperature. The aftermath of squirrels moving it around defeats this purpose. Insulation contaminated by squirrels is difficult to clean up. It requires more than what’s been torn away, as their germs, droppings, and food scraps may be hiding in the material.
Do you need wildlife removal services? Request a quote today!