This fall season, you can look forward to the foliage colours, pumpkins, apples and autumn celebrations. One thing you may not be looking forward to is the uptick in nuisance squirrel activity in and around your property. If you notice squirrels are taking over your yard or potentially getting inside of your home, you need help from the pros at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Let us help you learn how to deter squirrels in Coquitlam so you can enjoy your yard during the gorgeous fall season.

Remove All Food Sources 

Professional wildlife removal starts with proactive strategies that homeowners can use to keep critters away. First, we work with homeowners to survey the property and look for things that may be attracting squirrels to the yard. The most common attractant is a food source. So, if you want to know how to get rid of squirrels, you have to start by removing any potential sources of food in and around your home.

A common source of food for hungry squirrels is a bird feeder. If you have a feeder positioned in your yard, consider removing it so squirrels are flocking to your property. If you want to keep feeding the wild birds, you can also get a squirrel-proof bird feeder to prevent squirrels from taking all of the bird seed and visiting your yard frequently.

Inspect Your Roof for Open Spots

In the fall, squirrels are more likely to try to get inside of your home and nest in the attic or other parts of your space that are away from the main rooms. The colder temperatures and shorter days may have squirrels looking for food and warmth inside.

To keep them from getting in, make sure your roof doesn’t have any cracks or gaps that could allow a squirrel to squeeze inside. Our team can help inspect your roof and seal up any spaces that are open to the outside.

Seal Your Trash Cans

Another tip we have for how to keep squirrels away is to protect your garbage cans. Open trash cans and overflowing bags are an easy source of food for critters, including squirrels.

Make sure you don’t keep your trash outside if it isn’t trash pickup day. Instead, consider storing your full trash containers in your garage or basement. Your trash containers should be sturdy and have secure lids that keep rodents and squirrels out. Look for steel or strong plastic that can’t be chewed away. For more information and tips check out the City of Coquitlam’s website. 

Close Off Chimneys and Vents

The final way you can keep squirrels from getting into your home is to close off your chimneys and vents on your roof. These spots help release the smoke from your fireplace or appliances and vent outside. They can’t be closed off completely.

Look for specific products that allow for full venting of your chimney and roof vents but are designed to keep small animals out, such as chimney screens. This can help decrease the chances of a lost squirrel finding its way into your home. Contact our team at Skedaddle to learn more about how we can help with these preventative measures.

How To Deter Squirrels in Coquitlam

If you suspect there is a squirrel inside of your home, you’ll need our help right away. Don’t attempt to remove the squirrel yourself. Squirrels, like other wildlife in the area, could bite or scratch if cornered and potentially expose you to dangerous pathogens. Instead, we can come out and assess the situation. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control offers comprehensive squirrel removal services. We also can guide you with prevention strategies to keep these creatures from invading your home this fall.