Vaughan Wildlife Removal: Preventing Squirrels in Downspouts

Like other rodents, squirrels have the ability to compress their bodies to fit into small places. One of the places where squirrels may try to hide is inside your downspouts. If so, you could have a difficult time removing them on your own and may have to turn to professional wildlife control in Vaughan for help.

Why Might Squirrels Crawl in Downspouts?

Tree squirrels are climbers with an instinct to make their nests high off the ground. They may simply climb up your downspout as though it were the trunk of a narrow tree, but sometimes they might crawl inside to build a nest.

How Do Squirrels Cause Damage in Downspouts?

To function properly, downspouts have to be clear of any blockages. A squirrel nest could cause the water to back up instead of flowing down the downspout as it is supposed to. If the water seeps under the roof, it can cause water damage inside the home. Squirrels can carry a host of diseases, including bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Some of these can transmit to humans, and proximity to the squirrels increases your chances of contracting them. If the squirrel dies in your downspout, bacteria start breeding on its body as the carcass decomposes, increasing the number of pathogens that you could be exposed to. Also, the rotting body of the squirrel can produce a horrible stench. Downspouts give squirrels access to the rest of your home, especially the attic. Having become familiar with the downspout, they may start to explore the roof, and if they find a vulnerability up there, they can exploit it to get into your home.

What Damage Can Squirrels Do Inside the Home?

If a squirrel does widen a hole in your roof so it can get inside, the hole may allow moisture to get inside your home, which could cause water damage. Squirrels are rodents and therefore have an insatiable need to gnaw on things. If they chew on structural materials, such as roof joists or installation, it may make your home weaker or affect your energy efficiency. Rodents such as squirrels are also known to chew on electrical wires. This removes the insulation and can increase the risk of a house fire. Chewing on utility lines can also cause outages in your home.

How Can You Keep Squirrels Out of the Downspouts?

If you want to prevent squirrels from getting into your downspouts, you can install a mesh over the openings so that the water can get through but the squirrels cannot get in. Unfortunately, this makes cleaning the downspouts more difficult, and if the squirrels are already in there, it may trap them inside. Mothballs may be effective at repelling the squirrels as they don't like the smell. However, this is a short-term solution, and it isn't environmentally friendly as mothballs are toxic to many animals, as well as people. You can also try a homemade squirrel repellent made of petroleum jelly mixed with red pepper. Applying it on the inside of the downspout may serve as a deterrent. The pepper is distasteful to squirrels, while the slippery surface makes climbing more difficult. Applying the repellent on the inside of the downspout may be easier said than done. Again, this is a preventive measure and should not be attempted if you already know there are squirrels in your downspout. Try to avoid attracting squirrels to your downspout by having your gutters cleaned frequently to remove any seeds or debris that may be attracting them.

Call Skedaddle for Wildlife Control in Vaughan

Squirrel removal is only one type of wildlife control that our technicians are trained to perform. Find out more about all the services we offer in Vaughan and more.