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Squirrel Removal
Squirrels seem like cute, little creatures when you observe them in the wild. However, they can quickly become a nuisance if they are in your home or property. They belong to the family of rodents and they are capable of causing the same amount of damage rats or mice can cause to your home.
There are several species of squirrels, but tree squirrels are the most prevalent nuisance because they reside in attics, garages, and even walls. They will gnaw on wood, electrical wiring, and other objects to get nesting material or just to keep the growth of their incisors in check.
Homeowners are made aware of the problem when they begin hearing noises and scurrying in the areas they inhabit.
Here are some of the most common problems caused by squirrels:
- Residing in the attic, chimney, or walls.
- Fire risk from chewed electrical wires in the attic.
- Eating fruits and vegetables in the garden.
- Chewing on wood thereby weakening the structural integrity of your building.
- A squirrel dying in the wall.
- Risk of diseases.
Getting rid of squirrels, particularly in the Memphis area can be challenging because of their high population. This is because the number of squirrels far exceeds the number of natural predators. That’s why getting a professional wildlife company like Wildlife X Team Memphis to develop an effective removal strategy may be your best bet.
Squirrel Removal Process
If you’re facing a squirrel infestation problem, here are the general steps that can help you get rid of the problem.
Thorough Inspection
The squirrel removal process begins with a deep investigation into the problem. First, you have to know exactly where they are residing; either in the attic, chimney, or wall. This will help you know where to focus your attention. Thereafter, you have to figure out how they’re getting in. For instance, if they’re in your attic, then there’s, at least, one entry hole through which they’re gaining access.
Getting Rid of the Squirrel
Once you know where they are, the next step is to get rid of them. Here are some of the ways to do that.
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Trapping
Trapping is the only effective way to remove unwanted squirrels. Live traps are best used to capture squirrels because they are humane. If they are residing in your attic, close all entry holes except one. Thereafter, install an exclusion device in the last hole and place a trap there. Once you capture the squirrel, check the inside of your attic to ensure that there are no babies there. If there are, they should be picked up and relocated together with their mother. The relocation of squirrels is subject to state laws. That’s why involving a professional company like Wildlife X Team Memphis is usually the best course of action.
How about Poisons and Repellents?
There are no poison baits in the market that can kill squirrels. Even if there are, poison possesses a lot of other concerns like harming unintended wildlife or kids, and even the negative effects of secondary poisoning.
Although there are several squirrel repellents, they have to be reapplied constantly and they are not even effective. Moreover, if there’s still easy access to food and shelter, repellents will not stop squirrels in the long run.
Decontamination
After the squirrel has been removed, then you have to deal with their remnants like droppings, hairs, food crumbs, and more. Ensure that you wear gloves when picking up these materials. It’s important to do so because these remnants can attract cockroaches, flies, and serve as a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. With our decontamination services, Wildlife X Team Memphis can help you restore those infected areas to pristine conditions.
Repairs
Squirrels are notorious for the damage they cause. Therefore, all damages have to be repaired once they’re excluded. At Wildlife X Team Memphis, we repair damages such as ductwork, electrical wires, insulation, pipes, wood, and more.
Ensuring They Don’t Return
After getting rid of those nuisance squirrels, then you have to ensure that they don’t return to your home or property. Here are some tips to help you with that:
- Trim tree branches that may overhang your roofline.
- Seal all potential entry points.
- Remove firewood stacked against the building.
- Make your birdfeeder inaccessible to squirrels.
- Do not leave your pet food or water bowl outside.
- Don’t feed them.
- Eliminate all potential hiding spots.
If you are dealing with a squirrel infestation in the Memphis area, call Wildlife X Team Memphis today!
What Should I Do with a Baby Squirrel if I find One
We get this question a lot. At Wildlife X Team Memphis, we are experts in animal removal and handling. That includes baby animals and squirrels. There are really two common cases here: baby squirrels found inside the home, and baby squirrels found outside. Also if you wondering about relocating squirrels visit squirrel-attic.com
Each case has similar handling procedures that we recommend, but there are differences too. There are important signs to look for. In many cases, the baby squirrel is ok and just needs its mother to come to pick it up. However, if the baby squirrel is injured or stuck inside your home, then there are some special steps to take.
We recommend that you call professionals like our team at Wildlife X Team Memphis if you find a baby squirrel inside your home. If you find one outside, you should contact a wildlife center or animal rehab facility. However, you need to make sure that the baby squirrel is actually in need of care and not just roaming away from its parents.
Baby Squirrels Outside
If you find a baby squirrel on the ground outside, don’t pick it up right away. Instead, observe it first. You should check if it appears to be injured – look for obvious signs like blood and broken bones. If the animal is visibly in distress (crying, shivering, etc.) this is also a sign that the baby squirrel needs some help.
If the baby squirrel is injured, you should contact a wildlife center or animal rehab facility. These professionals will know how to care for the animal.
However, if the squirrel appears to be uninjured, it could be totally fine. If there are no signs of injury, try to figure out if it’s really a baby. If the squirrel has a fluffy tail and is at least six inches long, then it’s not a baby and should be left alone.
If you don’t see a big tail and the squirrel’s body is small, it’s likely a baby separated from its mother. In this case, there isn’t much you should do. The baby’s mother is likely already looking for it. If you can tell where the nest is, you should move the squirrel as close as you can. Keep an eye on the squirrel throughout the day. If no mother comes, then call a wildlife rehabilitator.
Baby Squirrels in the House
If you have squirrels in your home, things can get hectic quickly. At Wildlife X Team Memphis, we are experts in squirrel removal. However, a baby squirrel is a different story from a fully grown adult. They are much smaller and should be treated with care if found.
If you find a baby squirrel inside your home, our top recommendation is to call a professional. There could be a mother squirrel around and you don’t want to mess with her!
If you find a baby squirrel inside your living space, we recommend placing it in an uncovered box with some small heat source to keep it warm. It’s likely that there is a family living in your attic. At this point, we suggest calling a professional.
At a minimum, it’s important to call a professional to inspect your home for other squirrels. If there is a squirrel family, the professional can remove them and reunite them with the baby you found.
However, if there is no squirrel family in your home and just a single isolated baby, the steps are similar to finding an injured or orphaned baby outside. You can place the baby in a box with a mild heat source to keep it warm temporarily. You should contact a certified wildlife rehabilitator before you take any further action.
