Squirrel-proofing your home requires expert knowledge, advanced techniques, and durable solutions. While DIY methods may seem convenient, they often fall short in addressing the persistent challenges squirrels present. From understanding effective wildlife deterrents to comparing DIY vs professional pest control, this guide will uncover squirrel-proofing techniques used by pros to safeguard your home.  

Effective Wildlife Deterrents  

When it comes to keeping wildlife at bay, squirrels are among the most resourceful and determined invaders. A solid first step is employing wildlife deterrents that disrupt their ability to enter and establish nests. Here’s how professional solutions elevate this process far beyond DIY methods.  

Physical Barriers  

Professionals use high-quality, durable materials to create physical barriers for your home. These include heavy-gauge steel mesh, which is installed over vents, soffits, and chimney openings. Unlike standard off-the-shelf materials, professional-grade barriers withstand chewing and weathering, offering long-term protection.  

• Galvanized Steel Screen: Installed to secure existing holes or weak points in your structure.  
• Chimney Caps & Vent Covers: Designed specifically to block entry without obstructing airflow.  
• Reinforced Entry Points: Examples include protecting roof edges, corners, and the base of siding materials.  

Vegetation Management  

Another essential deterrent involves managing nearby vegetation. Pros recommend trimming overhanging branches and removing tree limbs within six to eight feet of your roofline. By reducing access points, squirrels are less likely to reach your attic or higher entry points. Experts also know how to assess whether specific plants around your property are attracting wildlife.  

Scent and Sound Solutions  

Non-harmful deterrents like predator scent sprays and ultrasonic noise devices can be part of a comprehensive strategy. However, these methods work best when combined with structural solutions, as squirrels often adapt to repetitive noise or temporary smells.  

Why DIY Falls Short  

While hardware stores offer inexpensive materials like chicken wire or spray repellents, these often fail against squirrels’ sharp teeth and determination. Additionally, DIY solutions frequently lack the durability needed to withstand weather fluctuations, leaving your home vulnerable.  

Wildlife deterrents installed by professionals are tailored to your home’s vulnerabilities and provide a far more reliable safeguard.  

DIY Vs Professional Pest Control  

The debate between handling squirrel control yourself versus seeking professional help often boils down to a balance of cost, time, and effectiveness.  

The Reality of DIY  

DIY methods often focus on temporary fixes such as adding foam insulation or duct tape to cover holes. These stopgaps rarely hold up to prolonged squirrel activity. Additionally, identifying all squirrel points of entry in your home can be challenging without specialized training or equipment. Underestimating the severity of an issue can lead to repeated infestations and escalating damage over time.  

The Professional Advantage  

Professionals don’t leave anything to chance. Experienced technicians conduct an exhaustive inspection of your home, identifying common and uncommon entry points. Using a 35-50 point inspection, pros ensure no gap is missed. They also use advanced tools like thermal cameras to locate nests in hidden areas like attics or ventilation systems.  

Key benefits include:

• Knowledge of Behaviour: Professionals understand how squirrels move, find food, and create dens, which informs intervention strategies.  
• Safety: Experts use humane handling practices to avoid harm to both animals and homeowners. They often relocate squirrels safely without disturbing the ecosystem.  
• Time Efficiency: A trained team completes removal and prevention efficiently, saving you the hassle of trial-and-error methods.  

While DIY may seem cost-effective upfront, the expertise and thoroughness of professional services save homeowners money by preventing recurring issues.  

Squirrel-Proofing Techniques  

Preventing squirrels from accessing your home altogether is the ultimate goal. Here are several techniques professionals use to protect your property.  

Sealing Entry Points  

Squirrels only need a hole the size of a quarter to gain access. A professional team will identify even the smallest vulnerabilities. Using specialized materials like galvanized steel mesh, they seal gaps around:

• Roof vents  
• Fascia boards  
• Attic fans  
• Gable vents  
• Chimney gaps  

Deodorizing Previous Nesting Areas  

Squirrels can be drawn back to areas where they previously nested due to lingering scents. Professionals deodorize these locations with specific odour-neutralizing products that eliminate hormonal scents and nesting signals.  

Roofing and Insulation Repairs  

Once squirrels are removed, professionals replace damaged materials. This often includes repairing or replacing chewed roofing shingles, damaged soffits, or contaminated insulation. Ensuring these areas are restored should be part of your squirrel-proofing plan to prevent damage from worsening.  

Reinforcing Vulnerable Areas  

Some areas of the home, like roof corners and eaves, are prone to repeated animal activity. Professionals reinforce these weak spots with metal flashing or heavy-duty filler, ensuring they are squirrel-proof.  

Squirrel-proofing one weak area without addressing others is a common DIY mistake. Pros ensure comprehensive protection for every corner of your home.  

Why Professional Help Surpasses DIY  

Hiring experts for wildlife control offers homeowners peace of mind, knowing their property is safeguarded with durable, long-lasting measures. Here’s why professional services consistently outperform DIY solutions.  

• Precision and Thoroughness: Unlike DIY approaches, which often involve guesswork, professionals use systematic methods to address wildlife risks.  
• Warranty Backed Work: Many wildlife control companies offer lifetime warranties on their exclusion techniques, ensuring your property remains protected over time. 
• Humane Practices: Professionals use minimally invasive and humane strategies to remove and exclude squirrels.  

DIY solutions rely on basic supplies that fail against persistent animals. Professional-grade materials are built to last, making expert help a worthwhile investment.  

How Skedaddle Prevents Squirrel Infestation with Humane Removal

At Skedaddle, we specialize in providing effective and humane wildlife removal services that protect your home while prioritizing the safety and well-being of animals. Our proven techniques focus on addressing the root causes of squirrel infestations, ensuring long-term solutions to keep your property pest-free.

• Conduct a comprehensive inspection of your home to identify entry points, nesting areas, and vulnerabilities.  
• Use non-lethal, humane methods to safely remove squirrels.  
• Apply techniques such as hands-on removal and exclusion devices, allowing squirrels to exit without re-entering.  
• Ensure squirrels remain unharmed and can return to their natural habitat.

After the removal process, we focus on prevention by sealing potential entry points with durable, wildlife-proof materials. Our team installs customized barriers that are specifically designed to withstand the chewing and persistent behaviours of squirrels. To provide additional peace of mind, we back our work with a lifetime warranty, demonstrating our commitment to reliable and permanent results.

By choosing Skedaddle, you not only protect your home from future infestations but also support ethical wildlife control practices. Our approach ensures a harmonious balance between your property’s safety and the humane treatment of wildlife.

How We Can Help You  

Ultimately, effective squirrel-proofing requires more than temporary fixes or trial-and-error attempts. Our team at Skedaddle combines over 30 years of experience with advanced techniques and professional-grade materials to deliver solutions that work.  

If squirrels are causing trouble in your home, reach out to us for expert inspections, reliable deterrents, and long-lasting strategies to keep squirrels out for good. We’re here to protect your home so you can enjoy peace of mind.  

Don’t wait for the damage to escalate—schedule your squirrel-proofing service with Skedaddle now.