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Why You Don't Want Squirrels In Your Attic And How To Get Rid Of Them

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Although squirrels seem like cute little furballs that lure you into throwing them peanuts in your yard, having them on your property can be dangerous to your home. If you feed squirrels and they recognize you as a source of tasty food, they can become aggressive in their quest to get at your food supply. Tossing peanuts to squirrels in your yard is generally a bad idea, and it can lead to increasing numbers of squirrels who then try to break into your attic. Here's why squirrels often become a serious problem and how you can deal with them.

Why Squirrels Are So Damaging To Your Home

Squirrels can often do more damage to your home than rats. It's partly because they are bigger and it's partly because of their nature. They'll chew on the wood siding of your home as well as wiring. They are destructive, but they also have a wild side. If a squirrel gets inside your house, it may run amok and create havoc in its wake because it is frightened. Squirrels also carry germs and parasites. Squirrels can also leave a foul odor in your attic, especially if one dies. If you have squirrels in your attic, you'll probably know it because of all the noise they make. You definitely want to get rid of them as fast as possible, and the best way to do that is to bring in a wildlife removal exterminator in your area.

How To Get Squirrels Out Of Your Attic

One thing that helps get rid of squirrels is to block their entry holes. The exterminator will examine your roof area to see where the squirrels are getting inside. If they have multiple entry points, all but one will be sealed. Since squirrels are active during the day and out hunting food, sealing the holes during the day might be enough to keep them out. However, you don't want to trap live squirrels inside that may be nesting between the walls. Your exterminator may leave one entry hole open but covered in thin paper or cardboard so the squirrel can chew through it to get outside.

If a few days pass without the paper being disturbed, then the hole can be sealed for good. If squirrels linger inside, then using traps to kill or capture them may be needed. Your exterminator can discuss the different trap options and how they will affect the squirrels. Whether you kill them, release them on your property outside, or take them to the woods, you'll want to make sure your home is sealed up tight so the squirrels can't get back inside.


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