Our Approach to Squirrel Removal
Why are squirrels in my home?
Both red and grey squirrels will come into the home for a few reasons
Shelter from the weather (cold, heat, snow, rain)
To store nuts and seeds in a safe place when food is scarce in the winter
To have their babies (between march and april, and second litter between july and august)
You also may be more likely to have squirrel entry into the home if you
Have tree branches touching the home or hanging over the home
Have fruit or nut/seed bearing trees around the home
Have a heritage or century home
What are the risks of squirrels in the home?
Squirrels are typically the most destructive wildlife species in terms of property damage.
1. Squirrels will chew holes in the structure of home, which can cause leaks, and subsequently mold and mildew growth
2. Squirrels are rodents and all rodents chew to maintain their teeth. This means squirrels are liable to chew wires (household wires, car wiring harnesses, pool equipment wires)
3. There can be some complications when squirrels stash nuts and seeds in the home
4. Squirrels can carry disease, and their waste can be harmful to air quality and human health.
How are squirrels removed from the home?
Typically squirrels can be removed from the home using a one way door. This type of door is installed over the primary squirrel entry point, and allows the squirrel to leave but not re-enter. Other secondary squirrel entry points can be screened off forcing the squirrel to leave through the one way door.
A follow-up visit is done after squirrel is excluded, to remove the door and ensure the squirrel has not made entry elsewhere.
Squirrel removal using a one way door is not done during months that squirrels have a litter of kits (march-april, july-august) because if the squirrel is female and has babies, the babies will not be physically able to use the one way door. This could result in the mother squirrel gaining entry into home another way to rescue the babies or result in death of the kits.
Between breeding months, the squirrel nest site should be investigated, and any squirrel kits removed, and set aside for the mother to retrieve them and move them to alternate nest site before any exclusion is done.
Because wildlife can be unpredictable, it’s always advisable to investigate for kits regardless of the month to ensure no baby squirrels (kits) are harmed.
