When most people think of squirrels, they probably imagine pesky rodents who come up to people looking for food and who leave droppings in inconvenient places. While much of this is true, it is essential for property owners to remember that there are also some benefits of having squirrels around. Before you call wildlife control services in Madison, consider all of the potential benefits and risks of having squirrels in your garden.

Benefit: Pest Control

Many people think of squirrels as a pest, and seek squirrel removal services to rid their property of these animals. However, completely removing squirrels from an area would do a disservice to the ecosystem since squirrels help to eliminate other pests that people find bothersome.

Squirrels eat nearly anything, which is one of the reasons why they tend to be so persistent when it comes to being around humans and their habitats. Some things that squirrels eat include grasshoppers, crickets, and caterpillars. The pest control that squirrels bring is especially helpful for gardens, which insects can do great damage to, including by:

• Eating the roots, flowers, stems, and other components of a plant that you are attempting to cultivate 
• Causing cosmetic damage to fruits and vegetables, which may be of particular importance if you plan on selling your produce at a farmer’s market 
• Potentially carrying diseases to your nursery

However, for all of the potential pest control benefits that squirrels have for gardens, keep in mind that they too can be the ones who eat your plants and cause irreparable damage to the things you grow.

Benefit: Entertainment

Squirrels can act pretty silly, with the way they dash around and forage for food. They are a good source of entertainment for humans and pets alike and can make for a fun time when sitting in your backyard. But keep in mind that while squirrels are having their own fun, they are likely leaving behind urine and fecal droppings in your yard and on your porch. This waste is especially damaging to wooden structures, as the liquid can, over time, ruin the integrity of the structure.

Benefit: Assistance in Spreading Seeds

Squirrels eat seeds, and in the process, they can spread those seeds around your property and increase the biodiversity of your land. But there is just as great of a chance that some seeds they plant will grow into a weed or some other unwanted plant.

Risks: Home Invasion and Spread of Disease

If squirrels are comfortable enough to play around in your garden, chances are they might decide to come into your home, where the risks of having squirrels around far outweigh any benefits. Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to a house, including by:

• Chewing on electrical wires, insulation, and anything else they can get their teeth on 
• Leaving fecal matter on the floor, which can spread dangerous diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonellosis
• Destroying the integrity of the roof and walls in their attempt to find a comfortable hiding spot 

Before letting squirrels run free in your garden, consider how you would deal with the potential fallout from squirrels getting into your home. If you decide that the risk is not worth the reward, consider some squirrel deterrents for gardens, such as cayenne pepper or pepper flakes. Since these animals do not like the smell of pepper, placing pepper around your property is a good proactive step to take to keep them away from your garden.

If you have squirrels in your garden and want to get rid of them in a humane manner, contact the professionals at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today.