Managing and Controlling the Squirrel Population

When people think of animals in Wisconsin, they typically think of stately species like the white-tailed deer or peculiar wanderers, like the American badger. Few people would ever think to speak about squirrels because they are so common. However, squirrels are unique in their destructive abilities, which is one of the many reasons to have squirrel removal Madison on speed dial.

Signs of Squirrel Damage

Did you know that there are over 200 species of squirrels? It is a diverse and intriguing animal, and some people might even call it cute, but squirrels can mean trouble for your home and property despite their relative cuteness. Unfortunately, most people do not notice minor damages, especially outside, which means the squirrel population increases and problems quickly get out of hand. To control the population, it is essential to identify early damages and seek assistance. Not all damage is going to be significant; in fact, most of it might seem minor. Some examples include:

• Damaged bird feeders with chew marks
• Eaten nuts and fruits
• Uprooted plants and flowers
• Small holes

The problems do not stop at your front door. Squirrels are known to find ways indoors, often into attic spaces and walls. When inside your home, the damage can get costly and dangerous. For example, it is not uncommon for squirrels to chew on wires, potentially causing a fire hazard. Some signs the animal has made it inside include:

• Musty smells
• Strange noises (scratching, chewing, gnawing, etc.)
• Visible holes in the roofline

Managing Squirrel Damage

While there are several ways to manage or mitigate future squirrel damage, not providing food is the best option. Most people do not intentionally feed squirrels, but having bird feeders or pet dishes outside is enticing for foraging animals. Squirrels want to find the easiest meal possible, and if you provide fresh food every day, the animal will continue to come back. It is OK if you want to have bird feeders in your yard, but the ideal placement is away from your house. In fact, beyond keeping food away from squirrels, it is an excellent idea to trim any branches or plants near your home. Squirrels will use tree limbs and bushes to climb onto your roof and search for shelter.

Preventing the Squirrel Population From Entering Your Home

While removing food from the exterior of the home and trimming plants will help limit squirrel damage, it does not ensure that the animal will not enter your home. You will need to cover any vulnerable entry points, like chimneys and vents, with mesh screens. You can also secure metal sheeting around tree trunks on your property to reduce the risk of squirrels using the trees to get onto your roof. While there are other options you can choose to protect your property, it is best to select humane solutions and contact a professional when dealing with any wild animal.

Contact a Professional

Professional wildlife control services, like our squirrel removal Madison experts have the experience and regulatory knowledge necessary to help you with your potential squirrel problem. You want to be careful about the services you call because some use trapping or chemicals to eliminate the wildlife population. The problem with such methods is they are ineffective (trapping alone) or inhumane and dangerous to you and your family (chemicals). Whenever possible, it is best to hire and work with a company that loves animals and respects wildlife because they are more likely to use humane techniques to assess and deal with your problem. Are you currently dealing with an unruly squirrel population, and do you need help to correct it? Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control and schedule an assessment. A wildlife expert will come to your property, perform a walkthrough, and present a plan for the animals' humane removal or expulsion.