Some homeowners see nothing wrong with hosting critters in their attic. If you spot a squirrel in this area, for example, you may wonder whether animal control is necessary. Despite their harmless appearance, these mammals cause trouble over time. To help you keep your home clean and safe, here’s all you need to know about the impact of squirrel infestations and what to do about them.

Why Remove Squirrels from Your Attic

Squirrels may look cute, but they can wreak havoc on your home. When they settle in your attic and other indoor spaces, they start gnawing on wood, cardboard, fabric, insulation, ducts, cables, and wiring. Their habit of stripping electrical wires bare may lead to short circuits, making them fire hazards.

Apart from the problematic chewing, squirrels also leave a foul odor in their wake. Urine and droppings may seep through the walls and ceiling, producing unpleasant smells, unsightly stains, and even structural damage over time. Odors sometimes come from rotting food matter and decaying dead squirrels—a combination that will require extensive and costly cleanups.   

These animals are also hosts to parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites. Their leftover food additionally attracts pests like ants, roaches, and flies.

How to Keep Them Out

Call on animal control if you hear scurrying or running sounds in the attic, chimneys, and walls. Professionals may lure them out with baits or catch them with cage traps or one-way exclusion doors for humane removal. Once they’re gone, there are a few options for keeping them out indefinitely:

• Prune Trees: Trim back overhanging branches to avoid leading squirrels directly to your roof.

• Install Metal Sheets: Attach metal bands around the base and trunks of trees. This makes it difficult for wildlife to climb up and reach the roof.

• Seal Entry Points: Find and seal the gaps where squirrels can get in, including in fascia, roof vents, edges, soffit intersections, plumbing mats, and uncovered chimneys. Look out for holes on the roof and siding—squirrels gain entrance through these as well.  

When you need professional squirrel removal, count on the animal control experts at American Bio-Tech Wildlife Services. Based in New Milford, CT, they’ve been providing humane animal removal and wildlife control services throughout the state since 1971. They deal with a variety of species, including woodchucks, raccoons, and skunks. Call (860) 355-1231 for prompt animal control, or view their full list of services online.