Squirrels in your attic are definitely a nuisance and may feel like an invasion on your property but consider this; rising human population has caused people to invade what was originally wildlife habitat. Wildlife such as squirrels still needs to find food and shelter so it is inevitable that they will come into contact with humans in their quest for survival.

This doesn’t mean that you should willingly allow the wildlife to set up residency in your home. Truth is squirrels in Ontario cause all kinds of damage to property and are disease carriers. There is however a humane way to remove squirrels from your attic.

 Signs of Squirrels in the Attic

Unless you have physically seen the squirrel going in and out of your attic, noise in the attic isn’t a sure sign that the squirrel is the culprit. There are other pests such as rats or raccoons that might be the issue. Signs that you have squirrels in the attic include;

• Noises including fighting, scratching and running; Noises in the day time may indicate fox or gray squirrels while nighttime noises may mean flying squirrels
• Holes under soffits, home siding, damaged attic insulation and chewed wires
• Damaged bird feeders may indicate squirrels attempting to eat bird food
• Squirrel nest in the attic

The signs of a squirrel problem also extend outdoors because this is where the wildlife scavenges for food. Outdoor signs of a squirrel infestation include;

• Hollow openings in tree trunks or squirrel nests in trees
• Seeing squirrels entering or leaving the house through the roof
• Young trees with chewed barks

Why Trapping Squirrels is a Bad Idea

Trapping the squirrels for relocation may seem like the humane or sensible thing to do but this is not the case. Note that wildlife is protected in Ontario and it is illegal to kill, torture, harm or transport wildlife (including squirrels) for more than a kilometer. Trapping squirrels may be considered as torture because it distresses the animal and exposes it to predators and the elements. The squirrels may also injure itself as it attempts to escape from the trap.

Trapping a mother separates it from its young who are unable to fend for themselves. The younglings die from starvation and exposure which is far from humane.

Lastly, relocating squirrels means that the animals have to find water, food and shelter in an unfamiliar territory. The relocation also exposes the squirrel to territorial disputes with the resident animals especially if there is a shortage of food.

How to Get Rid of Squirrels in the Attic

The first step to getting rid of the squirrels in your attic is to figure out how they are getting access into the home in the first place. Common entry points include roof vents, chimneys, dormers, ventilation pipes and soffits. Seal all the possible access areas preferably with metal flashing or galvanized steel mesh. Inspect and reinforce all other possible entry points focusing on interior and exterior walls, floors, sidings and roof leading up to your attic.

Next, install a one-way door on the specific entrance hole that you suspect the squirrels are using to get access to the attic. This entry point should be relatively easy to identify. Look out for signs of squirrel droppings and nesting debris such as kindling, leaves and sticks near the entry way.

Alternatively, use a piece of foam or newspaper to block the hole you suspect the squirrels are using. Check after a day or two. If the foam or newspaper is disturbed, it’s a sign that you have found the primary access hole.

The one-way entry door cage allows the squirrels to get out but blocks their entry back in. Leave the cage for up to a week or until you stop hearing noises in the attic. Note that this cage doesn’t trap the squirrels; it simply lets them out of the attic but prevents re-entry.

Why You Should Hire a Wildlife Control Expert

Getting rid of squirrels in the attic sounds easy enough and it is as long as you take all the factors into account. There are a number of technical aspects that go into a successful evacuation which is the reason you should leave the job to the experts.

For one, it is difficult to tell whether the squirrel you excluded has younglings. A mother will do anything to get to its young and this often includes further damage to your property. In the event that the mother is unsuccessful, its young die from lack of food. You are now faced with rotting carcasses and a morbid situation.

Even a successful exclusion doesn’t guarantee that you are free from pests. You may simply switch one pest problem for another. Squirrels leave evidence of their residency including urine and excrement. This may signal other, possibly smaller pests, that your attic is an ideal nesting place.

There are also strict wildlife laws in Ontario that govern how you can get rid of squirrels, what you can do and can’t do with them and so on. Remember that this is a protected species and you could inadvertently attract a fine in case you injure or kill the squirrel even by accident.

A wildlife removal expert has all the skills, knowledge and equipment to get rid of the squirrels permanently and eliminate the chances of any other pests taking the place of squirrels in your attic.

The expert may also recommend or perform further preventive measures such as deterrents, clean-up, trimming trees and sufficiently sealing entry points to resolve the problem for good. Make sure the wildlife removal expert provides a warranty for his work for at least one year.