Squirrels may be cute and harmless; however, they can cause damage and they’re one pest to watch out for.
Signs of a squirrel infestation are scratching noises in your loft or attic, droppings around your property, and an increased presence of squirrels in your garden. It’s hard not to notice their presence; they’re very noisy, and you’ll find them hiding in loft spaces. You may also smell urine, or areas that are stained. Structural damage may be visible after squirrels as they like to gnaw and tear up insulation to use for their bedding. They also strip insulation from electrical wiring or chew through the cabling, making them a fire hazard.
Squirrels sometimes become trapped in uncovered water storage tanks and die; therefore, contaminating your water supply. You may not notice it for months and so this is another reason to keep squirrels at bay.
How do you prevent a squirrel infestation?
Prevention is better than cure, and there are many ways to avoid squirrels from taking up residence in your loft or other areas of your property.
Be aware that bird feeding also attracts squirrels and you should always buy squirrel-proof bird feeders. Food should be stored in air-tight containers above ground level, including pet food. Seal any holes in your property and always keep your garden clean and tidy, so squirrels don’t find other nesting sites.
Squirrels become aggressive when they feel threatened; therefore, it’s best to avoid trying to catch one yourself and leave it up to a professional pest controller to contain them. Furthermore, in the UK, it’s an offence to release a grey squirrel back into the wild after it’s been caught.
If you think you have a squirrel infestation, contact a professional pest controller. Our experts can assess your property and advise you on how to minimise the chances of an infestation by pointing out any vulnerabilities around your property.