Our Guide to Squirrel Removal

Aanteater Pest Control and Wildlife Services Hamilton strictly adhere to a comprehensive and sustainable integrated pest management strategy when dealing with squirrels.

Live trapping is rarely a viable option as it does not prevent other animals moving in to replace the original occupant, often within 24 hours! The scent of a den site is a powerful attractant to other animals looking for a place to live. Our goal is to provide the best long term solution to the problem, and based on our data and record keeping, animal exclusion has shown to be the most effective and cost efficient method of permanent squirrel removal. Our approach is humane in nature, and our best efforts are made to prevent any harm from befalling on the squirrel and guaranteeing that a new animal will not replace it. Our knowledgeable technicians will install a one-way door on the entry point. This allows the squirrel to leave but they will not be able to get back in. The door is temporary, and has a trigger to let the technician know when the squirrel has left. The technician will also let you know of other potential entry points, and will recommend fixing these problem areas. Squirrels, especially reds, can be very determined to get back to their den site so it is always recommended to do a complete exclusion on your home or business. Once the squirrel is excluded from your premises we recommend “fogging” the area with a deodorizer, this helps to remove the scent of the den site.

EXCLUSION VS LIVE TRAPPING

It is illegal to move an animal more than 1 kilometer away from the point of capture. Not only is it illegal to move them more than 1 kilometer, but it is ineffective without proper exclusion work on your home or business. Live trapping is effective in catching squirrels, but doesn’t provide a long term solution in keeping squirrels out of your home or business. Another squirrel or other animal in the area will smell out the den site and take up residence. Live trapping is effective in a few rare situations, but on the whole exclusion provides the best results for the lowest cost. We guarantee all our work and will protect your financial investment.

SQUIRRELS AND THEIR BABIES

During the spring and summer the squirrel will usually have babies. Babies create a new set of challenges. The babies should be removed from the attic area in conjunction with our one-way door and exclusion system. In order for our technician to determine if the squirrel has babies or not, we conduct an attic search. If babies are found, they will be taken out by hand and placed in an electric incubation chamber. The chamber will then be placed outside the one-way door so that when the mother exists, her babies are easily found. If she is unable to do this her persistence in trying to reenter will be magnified tenfold.

TIPS FOR PREVENTION

Check your roof for wear and tear by looking for missing shingles or gutters that have fallen off. If gutters are plugged the wood around them is more likely to rot, giving the squirrel an easy entry point. Don’t feed them if you don’t want them around and be aware of bird feeders, as they are a good source of food for squirrels and other pests as well. Even if squirrels can’t actually get to the bird feeder, birds are notoriously sloppy eaters and spill far more seeds on the ground than they eat. These steps certainly won’t prevent squirrels from coming around but should at least help keep their numbers lower.

SQUIRRELS IN AN ATTIC

An attic vent is an easy access point which they can gnaw through to gain access to the attic.

At the base of the plumbing stack is a plastic or rubber seal that prevents water leaking into the attic space. Squirrels will gnaw the seal making a large hole in the roof and creating an entry.

Since squirrels are incredible climbers, they have access to some of the most remote parts of the home or business. A majority of chimneys do have some sort of cap on them, but some aren't "squirrel proof", and some chimneys don't have any protection from wildlife. Squirrels will sometimes either fall down a chimney and become trapped in the fireplace or occasionally if they are able to climb the flu they will take up residence in a chimney and even raise a litter of young directly on top of the damper.

In some cases, squirrels will gnaw at the fascia vent gap at the edge of the roof to gain entry.

Once the squirrel has gained entry to your attic, you will immediately notice how loud and annoying they can be, squirrels wake early, usually around 6:30am and seem to enjoy running laps of the attic as soon as they are up. Running around in the attic and jumping several feet from the joists is usually loud enough to hear from 2 floors below. That is only the beginning of the problems associated with squirrels in your attic. Your home or business has become the home of the squirrel, worse still; other animals are attracted to the scent of a den site making it a target site for more unwanted pests.

ATTIC RESTORATION

In some cases squirrels may establish a den site in your home or business undetected. Nearly all houses built today have blown in insulation which is very delicate and easily damaged by being trampled. If the animal is not removed from your house, heating bills will gradually increase sometimes by 100%. Re-insulating may become necessary and is very expensive the squirrels can cause extensive damage over the course of several months, especially if there are babies. Squirrels also gnaw through vapour barrier and drywall, and gnaw or damage electrical wiring. They are a major cause of fires. At this point, after the animals have been removed our technician will recommend conducting an attic restoration. This is an additional service offered by our company.

Looking for Squirrel Removal Services in Hamilton Ontario?

The only way an infestation can be eradicated is with the help of a pest control specialist. Please do not hesitate to call one of our trained professionals in Hamilton at Aanteater Pest Controll and Wildlife Services at 905-387-9300 or toll free at 1-888-390-PEST(7378). Our licensed and friendly exterminators will be happy to inspect your home and give you a free quote.

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