Squirrels often do not come to mind when you first hear the word ‘rodent’. Why would they? Squirrels are cute, fluffy, nut eating animals that wouldn’t harm anyone, right? Wrong. Squirrels are pests that can be just as damaging as mice and rats to your home or property, so if you suspect this animal of setting up home in your walls or attic space, it may be time for you to seek professional help to rid you of them before they cause too much damage.
Property Damage
With their sharp teeth, squirrels are known to be able to crack the shell of many a nut, but did you know that they also can gnaw on the wood of your attic timber frames? If several squirrels are doing this, it’ll only be a matter of time before the structure of your attic or loft becomes compromised, weakened or even a safety hazard. With many squirrels running rampant, it may not appear as surprising to have Squirrel Control London as you initially thought. This is by no means the only damage that they can cause, with other potential damage being gnawing your electrical wiring or cables. Very often this is done over time, but is dangerous nonetheless, more so if the wiring they’re gnawing on is live and/or constantly used.
Believe it or not, squirrel damaged wires have caused many fires, so if you suspect them in living in your attic/loft seek and don’t know what to do, the first thing should be seeking professional advice before costs mount.
Squirrels have been known to burst water pipes and ruin water tanks by nesting on top of them and making holes in them. This can lead to floor and/or ceiling damage, not forgetting additional costs for decorating and water-damaged furniture. Even worse, they have even been known to drown in water tanks, and have been left unfound for a considerable period of time whilst you and your loved ones are still using the water it’s in!
They can also cause damage to your garden, particularly to any trees you may have. Squirrels will sharpen their teeth on tree bark, eat it or use it as material to line their nests. Without bark, trees have no protection from the elements or insects and will die.
Health Hazard
If squirrels are treating your home as their home, then chances are they’ll also use areas of it as a toilet. Their urine and feces will leave stains in your home as well as give off an unpleasant odour. However, if left untreated, their droppings and urine can lead to salmonella, rabies, Lyme Disease, Leptospirosis and Tularaemia. The best way to avoid these health issues is to get rid of your uninvited guests as soon as possible.
How Do You Deal with Squirrels?
The first thing is knowing what to look for, so you don’t mistake squirrels for another type of rodent, like mice or rats. You can tell if you’ve got a squirrel problem if you hear scratching, chewing and scuttling, particularly when it’s dawn or dusk and during winter months. Outside these times, it’s more than likely to be rats that are disturbing you. Additionally, if you see similar chew marks outside your home as well as inside because squirrels will cause damage on the outer walls of your property too.
Squirrels, like other rodents, will leave their droppings all over your property. Unless you’re familiar with rodent droppings, it’s unlikely you’ll know if they belong to squirrels. A professional will, so consider hiring one as soon as you have evidence of a rodent infestation in your home before they cost you more money.
You can get rid of squirrels by
- Removing all their food sources: secure your bins, don’t leave full bin bags in your garden or have food for other animals in your garden.
- Using squirrel-proof mesh to prevent them from accessing your loft and removing potential access points that they can use to jump onto your roof to gain access to your attic or loft.
- Hiring a professional. This is because of laws concerning squirrel disposal and the fact squirrels have a nasty bite which can transfer diseases onto you which will require urgent medical attention. Furthermore, professionals will know the best way to dispose of them, whether it be via live traps or specific poisons that are unavailable to the public for purchase over-the-counter.
Squirrels are not as cute as they once appeared to be after reading this article, and for very good reason. They can cause damage and destruction to your property, which can have potentially devastating ramifications. You can avoid this by regularly inspecting your property and knowing what signs to look for. This way, you’re more than likely reducing potential costs to remove them.