Imagine going for a walk in the park or for a hike in the woods when you see a squirrel on a low branch of a tree chewing on a nut. Chances are you don’t see them as a nuisance. Despite their cuteness factor, squirrels can be major pests to your home if left unchecked.
What Does a Squirrel Look Like?
Squirrels are members of the rodent family and can be distinguished by their bushy tails. They are usually between 12 and 25 inches long and have black, brown, gray, or red fur. There are three different varieties of squirrels- tree, ground, and flying squirrels. Tree squirrels build nests in elevated spaces such as tree hollows and attics. Ground squirrels dig for shelter beneath yards. Flying squirrels have extra skin that resembles a parachute that they use to glide from tree to tree. Like other rodents, squirrels have teeth that do not stop growing. They are worn down by their constant gnawing.
Squirrel Damage
Squirrels can cause serious damage to your home by chewing openings through the siding and beneath the eaves. Squirrels can also use unscreened chimneys and vents to get into your home. Once they are inside and have built nests, they chew on the insulation of the wires and structure of your home. This causes a great amount of damage and potentially even fires. Squirrels have also been seen running along utility power wires and cables, shorting out the transformers. If you have bird feeders, squirrels can invade those, scaring off the birds, eating their food, and causing damage to the feeders. When squirrels dig for nuts, they can damage your lawn, chew on the bark and twigs of your trees and plants, and even chew holes in any maple syrup dispensing tubes.
How to Keep Squirrels Away
Stop squirrels from entering your home:
• Cover your chimneys and vents with mesh screens to stop squirrels from entering your home.
• Trim any branches that touch your home or are within six feet of it. Squirrels can use these to enter!
• Have a professional place silt strip of plastic PVC pipe over your utility lines. This will make it impossible for squirrels to walk across them.
Keeping squirrels off bird feeders:
• Keep all bird feeders at least 6 feet from the ground.
• Put petroleum jelly on the poles of your bird feeders so that squirrels will be unable to climb up them.
• Distract squirrels from the feeders by putting out food specifically for them at least eight feet from the feeder.
Protecting plants and property:
• Put up metal sheeting around trunks of trees. Remember to keep it loose so that the trees can grow.
• Place wire fencing around your gardens.
• Use squirrel repellant.
Squirrel Wildlife Control Services in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
If it is too late to prevent squirrels from invading your property or preventative measures fail, you should contact A-Tex Pest Management. We will use trapping and other methods to take care of your squirrel problem. For your own safety and the safety of other wildlife and the environment, you should not try to get rid of squirrels on your own. Call us today!