In the event you’ve began listening to scratching, scurrying or gnawing noises overhead, it’s possible you’ll be coping with squirrels within the attic. Whereas they might look innocent within the backyard, as soon as they get inside your private home they’ll rapidly wreak havoc and trigger pricey harm to wiring, loft insulation and timber.
The problem with squirrels is that they’re agile, persistent, and capable of squeeze by even the smallest gaps in your roofline or eaves. If left unchecked, a single squirrel can arrange a nest, reproduce, and switch your loft into a loud, messy, and doubtlessly hazardous house.
So how do you eliminate squirrels within the attic with out inflicting them hurt, and with out breaking the legislation? From recognizing the early warning indicators, to prevention suggestions and expert-approved elimination strategies, right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know to maintain your loft safe and squirrel-free.
Easy methods to spot the early indicators of squirrels within the attic
Step one in tackling the issue is figuring out what to look – or pay attention – for. In line with Daniel Steward, MD at Protect Pest Management: “One of the frequent indicators of squirrels in your attic is scratching or scurrying noises, normally heard within the early morning or late night when squirrels are most lively.”
“You may additionally spot squirrel droppings close to nests or scattered on the attic flooring,” he provides. These are normally small, darkish brown pellets, comparable in dimension to a raisin, and are sometimes discovered clustered collectively in corners or alongside beams.
“As a result of squirrels continuously gnaw to maintain their tooth trimmed, proof of chewed wooden or wires is a robust signal of their presence. Moreover, a robust, disagreeable odour, typically from urine or droppings, can typically sign an infestation.”
Daniel Steward is managing director at Protect Pest Management, and accountable for overseeing a group of devoted managers in addition to the corporate’s operations to make sure it offers high-quality pest management companies. With 24 years’ expertise within the pest management business, Daniel has a deep understanding of the assorted diagnostic strategies and strategies used to eradicate pests from properties and companies.
As soon as squirrels make it into your loft, the impression may be way more critical than simply noise. Tony King, pest management professional and proprietor of The Pied Piper, explains:
“Squirrels could cause quite a lot of hurt to wiring, insulation, and the construction of your private home. They chew on objects, exposing electrical wires and posing a extreme hearth threat, and so they’re recognized to shred loft insulation for nesting and decreasing its effectivity.”
“Squirrels are comparatively tiny, however collectively chewing, urine, and faeces can result in pricey harm if left untreated,” he provides.
Tony King, the proprietor and supervisor of The Pied Piper, a number one pest management service with a legacy spanning over 25 years. He leads a extremely expert group of pest exterminators proficient in dealing with the whole lot from rat and mouse elimination to tackling extreme bedbug and cockroach infestations.
1. Seal entry factors to cease squirrels from getting in
The simplest method to eliminate squirrels in your attic is to cease them from getting inside within the first place. Even small gaps alongside the roofline, soffits or vents may be sufficient for them to squeeze by.
Daniel Steward advises: “To squirrel-proof your private home, it’s necessary to conduct common inspections for any gaps or indicators of chewing. Any openings needs to be sealed utilizing sturdy supplies reminiscent of metal mesh or {hardware} fabric, which squirrels can not simply gnaw by. For chimneys, putting in stainless-steel caps with mesh sides prevents entry, and choosing steel or composite supplies when repairing roofing provides further resistance in opposition to chewing.”
2. Make the skin of your private home much less inviting
In fact, it isn’t nearly sealing up the loft itself, the skin of your private home performs simply as massive a job. Overhanging branches are an open invitation to squirrels, giving them a simple launch pad onto your roof, so holding bushes neatly trimmed again is a worthwhile weekend job. Chicken feeders, too, may be an unintended draw, encouraging squirrels to linger near the home earlier than in search of a method in. Positioning them additional down the backyard helps cut back the temptation.
It’s additionally price remembering that storms and robust winds can rapidly undo your good work. Tiles could shift, guttering can pull unfastened, and small gaps open up nearly in a single day. As Tony King factors out, finishing up common checks after unhealthy climate is without doubt one of the easiest methods to verify your private home doesn’t change into a simple goal.
3. Name within the professionals
In the event you’ve confirmed squirrels are in your loft, the most secure step is to herald a licensed pest management service. Skilled assist isn’t simply the most secure possibility, in lots of instances, it’s the one authorized one. Crimson squirrels are absolutely protected beneath the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, whereas gray squirrels, although not protected, should nonetheless be handled humanely beneath the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Professionals could have the instruments and experience to take away the squirrels humanely and ensure they’ll’t get again in, as Daniel Steward, explains:
“Therapy normally entails an in depth inspection, humane elimination utilizing one-way exclusion gadgets, thorough cleansing and decontamination, sealing all entry factors, repairing any structural harm, and follow-up visits to make sure the squirrels haven’t returned.”
In line with Daniel, “It’s time to name an expert should you hear persistent scurrying or scratching noises however can not find any entry factors, or should you see squirrels getting into your private home or discover unexplained harm in your attic. Moreover, if you’d like a radical dwelling inspection to verify for vulnerabilities, skilled assist is suggested.”
FAQs
Do squirrels solely come into attics in winter?
In no way. Whereas the colder months could make your loft house particularly interesting as a heat shelter, squirrels may be lively year-round. They’ll typically hunt down lofts in spring as a nesting place for his or her younger, and summer season storms can open up new gaps in rooflines, giving them easy accessibility. Prevention and common upkeep are necessary regardless of the season.
Are DIY squirrel traps a foul thought?
It is likely to be tempting to arrange a lure and cope with the issue your self, however that is not often a good suggestion. Trapping squirrels could cause them misery, and if performed incorrectly, could even be unlawful beneath animal welfare legal guidelines. There’s additionally the sensible situation of what to do as soon as a squirrel has been caught. With out a licence, you possibly can’t launch them elsewhere, and dealing with them carries dangers of bites and illness.
A greater method is to give attention to deterrents that make your loft much less interesting within the first place. Some owners use ultrasonic gadgets or strong-smelling repellents (reminiscent of garlic or peppermint oils) to discourage squirrels from settling in. These received’t remedy an current infestation, however they can assist cut back the probabilities of squirrels bedding in over time.
Ultrasonic Rodent Repeller
This battery operated ultrasonic gadget is inaudible to the human ear, straightforward to put in and won’t have an effect on different pets or wildlife (besides rodents).
Repellshield Squirrel Repellent Spray
Infused with important oils like peppermint and geraniol, this sprayable repellent naturally deters squirrels with none undesirable nasties.
Rodent Proofing Wire Steel Mesh Roll
This roll of rodent proofing wire mesh has small 6mm x 6mm squares which prevents rats, mice and squirrels from having the ability to chew by the wire.
Can I legally take away squirrels myself?
Gray squirrels should not a protected species within the UK, to allow them to legally be managed on non-public property. Nevertheless, the legislation requires this to be performed humanely. Crimson squirrels, then again, are absolutely protected beneath the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Due to the strict guidelines — and the chance of by accident harming a protected species — skilled pest management is strongly suggested should you uncover squirrels in your loft.
Squirrels is likely to be a nuisance within the loft, however at the least they’ve acquired the benefit of being cute. In case your pest management issues are of the eight-legged selection as a substitute, don’t miss our information to the best way to preserve spiders out of your home.
