Can Gray Squirrels Cause Damage?
Squirrels damage homes by chewing through wood, roof boards, shingles, insulation, and electrical wiring. This can create fire hazards and lead to expensive repairs.
2. Garden and Crop Damage: They may eat fruits, vegetables, and nuts causing costly damage to homeowners and farmers.
3. Tree Damage: Squirrels strip bark from trees to access the protein layer for food or to build nests, which can harm or kill the trees.
4. Bird Feeders: They often raid bird feeders consuming large amounts of birdseed and damaging the feeders by gnawing holes in them. Be sure to keep bird feeders away from the home and out in the yard. This can help you live more peacefully with squirrels instead of attracting them to your house.
These destructive behaviors make grey squirrels a common nuisance wildlife for homeowners and gardeners.
How Do I Make Squirrel Removal From My Attic Possible?
Smart Solutions Pest and Wildlife Removal offers a variety of services. We use trapping, and wildlife control techniques catered to the specific orientation of the squirrel entry point.
After the activity has ceased through the trapping program, Smart Solutions Wildlife Removal seals the entry points. We use only the highest quality construction materials. We also clean the attic, remove the squirrel nests and sanitize the entire attic afterward.
We are one of the few companies in Atlanta that offer a lifetime warranty on exclusion repairs. We recommend to preventively seal potential areas of the home that could cause another problem. Leaving potential entry points open can leave your home vulnerable for future squirrel problems.
Trapping and excluding gray squirrels from properties involves a combination of humane trapping, exclusion techniques, and preventive measures. Here are some steps to effectively trap and exclude gray squirrels:
Trapping Gray Squirrels
. Choose the Right Trap: Use a cage trap specifically designed for squirrels, typically a small cage trap
2.Bait the cage trap on the trip pan with foods that attract squirrels, such as peanut butter, sunflower seeds, or nuts.
3. Place the Trap: Put the trap in places where squirrels are active, such as at the base of trees or near the entry points. This includes near their entry points, nests, travel paths, or feeding spots.
4. Check the Trap Regularly: Look at the trap often to prevent the captured squirrel won’t stay in the trap too long. People should release young squirrels on site or take them to a wildlife rehabber.
5. Remove the Squirrels: Once caught, relocate the squirrels 1 mile away from your property, following local wildlife regulations. Georgia law licenses wildlife removal companies specifically to relocate animals to the nearest state park.
Excluding Gray Squirrels From Your Attic
Seal Entry Points: Find and close all possible entry points. Look over the house for gaps, holes, utilities and unscreened open vents. Use strong materials like heavy metal, hardware cloth, or good caulk and backer.
2. Install Squirrel Proof Barriers: Use squirrel-proof barriers, such as chimney caps, vent covers, and roof vent guards to prevent access. It’s important to use heavy gauge professional grade products, do not use foam or steel wool.
3. Tree Management: Trim tree branches that are close to your home 6 feet away to reduce access routes for squirrels. Squirrels have a serious horizontal leap which enables them to easy hop onto the house.
4. Protect Bird Feeders: Use squirrel-proof bird feeders and place feeders on poles with squirrel proof baffles. This will help stop the squirrels from getting to them, and make sure to put bird feeders are away from the house and in out the yard a good 50 feet away.
Repellents are a short-term solution. You can use them in areas of your home and yard where squirrels are active. You must apply them regularly to make them effective.
Preventive Measures
1. Remove Food Sources: Keep food sources like birdseed, pet food, and garbage securely stored in squirrel proof metal containers.
2. Yard Maintenance: Regularly clean up fallen nuts, fruits, and seeds from your yard to reduce attractants.
3. Regular Inspections: Check your home and property often by evaluating the roof. This helps ensure that no one creates new entry points.
By using these methods together, you can manage gray squirrel populations. This will help stop them from damaging your property. We hope this article helped you understand some steps to take in preventing rodents from driving you nuts!
