Squirrels
Best known for their bird feeder hijinks, Squirrels are one of the most common species of wildlife that we see in North Texas. These acrobatic rodents can quickly go from cute wildlife to unwanted nuisance when they make their way into your home.
Common problems with squirrels:
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Stealing food from bird feeders
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Bothering pets
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Living in chimney
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Living in walls/attic
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Chewing on firewood/log piles
Squirrel Behavior
Squirrels are well known for raiding bird feeders and stealing any and all food inside. In the wild they eat various nuts, vegetation, and seeds. Bird seed or cracked corn is irresistible to them. They may also nibble on fruit or vegetables in gardens. If you have a pecan tree, squirrels will frequently steal the nuts to eat or bury. If you notice large amounts of bird feed or nuts from your trees missing, squirrels may be to blame.
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Squirrels unfortunately like to make nests in walls, attics, and chimneys. They look for small holes, usually made by rats, and chew on them until they're big enough for them to fit through. If the squirrel is removed but all the holes are not repaired, another squirrel or other wild animal will move in soon after. They can cause a lot of damage if left unchecked in an attic. Their teeth constantly grow so they have to chew in order to wear their teeth down. This means that they will chew on wooden beams or anything else they can reach. Squirrels reproduce quickly, having large litters of up to seven babies. If not dealt with before this, a family of squirrels can cause massive amounts of damage and can drive you nuts with all the noise.
Squirrel Removal and Prevention
Squirrel removal can be difficult when done incorrectly. If traps are not placed in the right areas with the right bait, squirrels may outright ignore them. Squirrels can also make their nests in places that are difficult to reach. Professionals have the knowledge and training on how to handle these situations and remove the animals without causing more damage.
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Another possible problem is when there are baby squirrels in the nest. If the babies are not removed and the mother cannot retrieve them, the babies can suffer and die, leading to terrible sounds and smells. If the nest was in a wall, it can cost hundreds, sometimes even thousands to cut open the wall and remove the babies. It's best to have a qualified professional handle it from the beginning.
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There are a few measures you can take to help prevent squirrels from becoming a nuisance on your property. Squirrels can jump around 8 feet horizontally so in order to keep them away from your roof or chimney, make sure to trim any tree branches near your home to about 9 feet away from your roof line. If you want to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder, you should place the feeder 9 feet away from any trees or other surfaces that a squirrel can jump from. Special anti-squirrel bird feeders can be purchased for particularly persistent squirrels.
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If you notice any damage/holes or suspect squirrels may have made their way into your home, don't hesitate to contact us. We can help determine what the problem is and offer a free estimate and/or inspection.
Don't wait! Get in touch with us today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I buy a repellent or a sound emitter to drive them off?
A: No! While there are a number of chemical or urine based repellent on the market, they are only effective in specific circumstances and when used by professionals. Noise deterrents, or sonic sound emitters, also will not work. These devices are a scam. If animals are not bothered by the sounds of cars or people, they won't be bothered by sound emitters.
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Q: Can't I just do it myself/have my handyman do it?
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A: It's not advised. Wildlife can pose many dangers. Without proper protective gear, wild animals can attack and injure people or transfer diseases via fecal matter or bites/scratches. When trapping or exclusion are done improperly, it can lead to many problems down the road, such as animals being trapped inside walls/attic, other animals taking up residence, and, even worse damage to your home, which can lead to expensive bills down the road.
We take pride in every job we do. That's why we have a Lifetime Guarantee on all our repairs. Wildlife won't be able to get past our repairs, and if they somehow do, we will come back and make things right, for free. Don't put yourself or your family in danger. Leave wildlife removal to the professionals.