SQUIRREL
EXTERMINATOR
SQUIRREL EXPERTS
Our expert technicians locate the squirrel entry points and describe or show them to you. We then locate the squirrels’ nest and evaluate the best extraction method based on the age of the young.
Our technicians access the nest using various manual techniques to remove the squirrels (mother and young). If pups are present, we may opt to install a special pup warming box near the previous access point, to allow the mother to safely relocate her pups. We deodorize the area to discourage other squirrels from nesting there.
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ALL ABOUT SQUIRRELS
What attracts squirrels?
Squirrels are attracted to several factors, including:
- Food: Squirrels are omnivorous and are particularly attracted to seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, flowers and even some insects. Bird feeders are a common source of food for squirrels.
- Water: Like food, water is a necessity for squirrels. A pond, a fountain or even a simple puddle can attract them.
- Habitat: Trees, hedges and bushes are ideal places for squirrels to make their nests. Also, if your home has accessible areas, such as an attic, squirrels can nest there.
- Safety: Squirrels are attracted to places where they feel safe from predators. This includes areas with lots of vegetation to hide in and areas with little traffic.
To discourage squirrels from moving into your yard or home, you can try limiting these attractants. For example, you can secure your bird feeders so they are not accessible to squirrels, keep your garden clean and clear of fallen food, and seal off potential entrances to your home.
How do you know if it’s a squirrel’s nest?
Identifying a squirrel nest can be done by paying attention to a few specific characteristics:
- Location: Squirrels like to build their nests in trees, usually at some height for protection from predators. They can also choose attics or spaces between walls if they have access to your home.
- Structure: Squirrel nests, called “dray”, usually look like large piles of leaves, bark, twigs and moss. They can also use materials such as paper or rags if they are available. The dray usually has a side entrance and the interior is lined with soft materials for comfort.
- Squirrel activity: If you frequently see squirrels around a certain area, it may be a clue that a nest is nearby.
- Noise: If the nest is in your home, you may hear scratching or rubbing noises, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when squirrels are most active.
It is important to note that if you identify a squirrel nest in your home, it is best to contact a professional to take care of the situation as squirrels can cause damage to the structure of the home and can carry pests.
What is a squirrel’s favourite food?
Squirrels are omnivores and their diet varies depending on their habitat and the season. However, here are some of the foods they generally prefer:
- Nuts and seeds: Squirrels are particularly fond of nuts such as hazelnuts, pecans and acorns. They also enjoy sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
- Fruits and vegetables: Squirrels eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. They particularly like apples, cherries, grapes, squash and carrots.
- Insects and small animals: Although they prefer a vegetarian diet, squirrels may also eat insects, bird eggs, small rodents and small birds, especially when they need extra protein.
- Flowers and buds: Squirrels may also feed on some flowers, buds and young tree shoots.
It is important to note that if you choose to feed squirrels in your garden, you must ensure that the food is suitable for their natural diet and does not contain salt, sugar or other additives that could be harmful to their health.
Why hire a squirrel catching expert?
There are several advantages to hiring a squirrel capture expert:
- Skill and experience: An expert has the skills and experience to capture a squirrel safely and effectively. He knows squirrel behaviour and how to lure them into a trap.
- Compliance with legislation: In some areas, the capture and movement of squirrels are regulated by law. An expert knows these regulations and will make sure that everything is done in compliance with them.
- Safety: Capturing a squirrel can be dangerous, especially if the animal is frightened or aggressive. An expert has the necessary equipment to ensure his safety and that of the animal.
- Long-term solutions: An expert can identify the source of the squirrel infestation and suggest long-term solutions to prevent their return, such as closing entry points to your home.
- Property Protection: Squirrels can cause significant damage to your property, including gnawing on electrical wiring, vents and insulation. An expert can help you protect your property from these damages.
- Humane Treatment: An expert squirrel catcher will ensure that the animal is treated humanely and respectfully, without causing unnecessary stress or injury.
In short, if you have a squirrel problem, calling in an expert can save you time and money, while ensuring that the animal is treated with care and respect.
What are the different breeds of squirrels?
There are many species of squirrels spread all over the world. Here are some of them:
- Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris): This type of squirrel is widespread in Europe. It has red or sometimes brown or black fur and a bushy tail.
- Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis): Native to North America, the gray squirrel was introduced to Europe. It is larger than the red squirrel and, as its name implies, has mostly gray fur.
- Pallas’s Squirrel (Callosciurus erythraeus): Found in Southeast Asia and is known for its colourful fur that ranges from red to black to gray.
- Flying Squirrel: There are several species of flying squirrels. They don’t actually fly but glide from tree to tree with a membrane of skin between their limbs.
- Barbary squirrel (Atlantoxerus getulus): This species is found primarily in North Africa.
- Ground Squirrel: There are many species of ground squirrels, such as Richardson’s squirrel, that live primarily on the ground rather than in trees.
- Chipmunk (Tamias striatus): Also known as chipmunks or chipmunks in North America, chipmunks are small, squirrel-like striped rodents.
These examples are just a small sample of the many species of squirrels that exist in the world. Each species has unique characteristics and habits that distinguish it from others.
Name | SQUIRRELS |
---|---|
Class | Mammalia |
French name | Écureuil |
Latin name | Sciuridae |
Length | 20 to 30 cm |
Colour | Brown, red, grey and black |
Life | 15 to 20 years |
MORE INFORMATION ON SQUIRRELS
WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
The red squirrel and the grey squirrel are wild animals. Our wildlife technicians block all possible openings in the building with heavy gauge wire mesh. All materials used to block squirrel access and prevent squirrels from climbing are of the highest quality and are guaranteed.
WHY IS THE HUMANITARIAN APPROACH BEST?
Our wildlife technicians are specifically trained to exclude squirrels without harming them or causing them unnecessary stress. This approach is also economical and practical. The inhumane destruction, capture and relocation of squirrels is illegal. The removal of the mother squirrels causes the death of the young who are left to starve in the building. Carcass removal is a time-consuming, costly and health-hazard process. We are a leader in the wildlife control industry because of our emphasis on education and prevention.
PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY SQUIRRELS
Squirrels can gnaw through anything. Their favourite targets are wood, aluminum, electrical wiring, insulation, shingles and vents.
FACT: Squirrels need to gnaw constantly to keep their incisors from getting too long. Multiply this problem by five small ones and you end up with considerable damage to your building.
Squirrels make their nests in attics, chimneys, vents, roofs and walls. They use a wide variety of materials to make their nests, including insulation, vapour barriers, wood, drywall and paper.
FACT: Squirrel nests tend to be large relative to the body size of these small animals and are often messy, extending up to several feet in length in a vent pipe or attic. Because of their large dry nests and habit of gnawing on electrical wires, they are a significant fire hazard.
HEALTH RISKS
Squirrels attract ticks and fleas, especially in warmer climates.
FACT: If squirrels leave their nests for an extended period of time, ticks and fleas will be forced to find new hosts (e.g. humans and pets).
Although a mother squirrel is usually afraid of humans, she can become quite aggressive if she perceives danger or if she is separated from her young.
FACT: Squirrels are very agile and fast and can move and attack quickly if they feel threatened.
HOW DO YOU SPOT THEM?
Squirrels are very active and can be easily spotted because residential and commercial homeowners hear them moving around in attics or walls.
FACT: At least 30 squirrels per square kilometre can be found in urban areas with mature trees.
Visible signs of squirrels are damage to soffits, vents and flashings, the presence of oval-shaped droppings as well as holes along roofs that could be potential access points.
FACT: Squirrels are more adaptable than you might think. They can get into a hole the size of a baseball (gray or black squirrels) or a golf ball (red squirrels), and it is very easy for them to gnaw around the edge of a hole to enlarge it and get inside.
HOW IS IT EXCLUDED?
Plugging the hole is not enough. The squirrels will use their teeth to make their way back to their nests or to find their young.
FACT: The most effective method is to remove all the squirrels and seal the entire building to prevent squirrels from gaining access again.
Destroying or capturing adult squirrels is not the solution to the problem, as the young will likely still be alive in the attic, chimney, walls, roof or vents.
FACT: Squirrels normally have two litters per year of about 4 to 6 young, one in the spring and one in late summer. Squirrels usually have 5 or 6 nest sites in residential areas.
Ready to get rid of invasive squirrels, and stop them from chewing through electrical wires? Contact our experts now our pest management experts on the South Shore and North Shore!