Squirrels build their nests year-round in attics, garages, storage sheds, or even walls. Depending on the type, some will even build several nests within their territory, moving their offspring between nests as they age. Most squirrels breed only once a year, though some will breed twice, producing litters of 3 to 4 young.
Squirrels in the Brampton Area
Throughout Brampton, its surrounding cities, and indeed, all across the Greater Toronto Area, the squirrel population is booming. Whether you live in a heavily populated urban area or a more rural place, surrounded by trees and parks, chances are if you take a walk down the street, you'll see at least one squirrel on your way. This, however, is to be expected; as the cities expand, the natural habitat of squirrels and other wildlife becomes a metropolitan landscape and they're forced to adapt. Unfortunately, this can lead to the infestation of homes and businesses. Moreover, in some places, as squirrels have come to live among humans, they seem to have lost their fear of them. Squirrels have been known to defend themselves when cornered and can be quite aggressive.
Know the Signs
Differentiating between types of wildlife which may be infesting your home can be difficult and knowing what to look for is the key to discovering the crux of the situation.
The sounds of scratching, climbing, or jumping in the attic or walls can be consistent with squirrel, mouse, or rat infestations. Simply hearing these sounds may not be enough to establish what kind of rodent you may be dealing with. The next thing to look for is droppings. Often, squirrel droppings are mistaken for bat guano, though they are most definitely distinguishable from mouse or rat feces. It is important to remember, however, that with all wildlife feces, contracting salmonella is a possibility if proper hygiene is not practiced after handling. It is best to leave this up to the professionals.
Another way to ascertain whether or not you have a squirrel infestation is by searching for entry points. Squirrels, mice, rats, and raccoons are able to chew through nearly any material. The distinction lies in their preference for entry. Raccoons, of course, will create large holes, while mice can enter a house or garage through quite small holes. Squirrels, on the other hand, can enter through holes which may not be apparent until after an inspection has been conducted. Damage to shingles, fascia boards, eaves troughs, and all across roofs are indicators of an infestation of squirrels.
Perhaps the easiest way to determine that nesting squirrels are what you’re dealing with is if you notice any squirrel footprints. These are recognizable by the difference in fingers – the front paws have four slightly shorter fingers than the hind paws, which each have five. These prints may be in your garden, on your deck, or in your attic.
Damage and Dangers
Squirrels, like other rodents, will chew on anything and everything in order to maintain the length of their ever-growing teeth. This can spell disaster for your Brampton home and family, as they chew away at insulation, PVC plumbing lines, gable vents, roof shingles, and even electrical wiring. The damage, of course, is cumulative, and depending on how long the squirrels have been nesting in your home, the devastation can be quite extensive. It goes without saying that all of the areas that the squirrels nest in will have to be decontaminated and, if damaged, repaired. And electrical outages are merely the start. Fire hazards can be severe, with an estimated 50% of all housefires ignited by unknown causes being attributed to rodents gnawing at electrical wiring.
What’s more, the contamination of squirrel feces in a home pose some serious health risks, as they can carry salmonella bacteria and liptospirosis. Should a squirrel die within your home, the odour caused as it decomposes can bring with it both headaches and nausea.
Control and Removal Facts
Squirrels are adept at squeezing into small spaces. Due to their curious nature, when they choose a nesting spot, invade a structure with what seems like single-minded determination. This is why finding every point of entry and sealing and reinforcing them is of the highest importance when it comes to preventative reinhabitation. This can include attics, sheds, basements, chimneys, dryer vents, among other prime shelter areas.
Our professional team of technicians are experienced and work to humanely remove the wildlife from your home through the utilization of a one-way door. This method allows the nesting squirrels to exit through their entry point as the door locks behind them, preventing re-entry.
Effectual Control and Prevention Services
North Star Pest Control’s wildlife removal/management team is specially trained to extract squirrels and prevent all undue stress or injury to the animals. We pride ourselves on our practical and inexpensive approach. Killing, trapping or relocating many pests is illegal throughout the Greater Toronto Area, and inexperience can often lead to the separation of mother squirrels, leaving the babies to die in your building. The removal of carcasses is time consuming, expensive and poses a possible health risk.
Our expert team is highly skilled and has the knowledge to resolve your pest control and wildlife removal/management in Brampton and the surrounding areas with finesse and speed. We offer full roof and siding repairs and can install or repair deterrents like chimney caps and vent covers which offer high-quality squirrel pest management prevention.
Contact North Star Pest Control in Brampton by phone, 416-540-2694 or by filling out our online quick contact form below.
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