When you see them scurrying up a tree with an acorn at the park, your first thought might be, “Aw, what an adorable little squirrel.” While many consider these busy rodents entertaining to watch, they can also be destructive and dangerous pests, causing damage to homes, gardens, and landscaping.
There are ten types of squirrels found in the U.S., the most common of which are Red, Eastern, and Western Gray. These species are constantly on the hunt for food, often causing damage along the way. If your home has nut-bearing trees such as oak or walnut around it, there is a good chance you’ve got them nearby. They love eating berries, nuts, and pinecones but also dig up bulbs and vegetables from your garden. They hide their stashes in crevices and holes and often bury them, resulting in new trees. More often than not, they dig fake holes to throw off would-be food thieves. Amazingly, they remember which holes have food and which don’t.
Birdwatchers tend to have an issue with them due to their tendency to raid bird feeders, empty them quickly, and scare away birds. The problem here is that squirrels are extremely intelligent. They are both incredibly acrobatic and clever when trying to access food. To this end, many birdfeeders are marketed as “squirrel-proof,” with different designs engineered to outsmart or block access, but unfortunately, the result is damaged or chewed-up birdfeeders.
So why are squirrels on your property such a problem? It is widely believed that they carry rabies, and while this is possible, it’s not common. However, they often carry other pests, like fleas and ticks, spreading diseases like Lyme, tapeworm, ringworm, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Perhaps the most likely problem a homeowner will have with a squirrel is when they decide to move into your home. Crawling through the tiniest of crevices, they take up residence in attics, soffits, and even chimneys. They chew up insulation to make their nests and can chew through electrical wires, which can be dangerous. Once they move in and set up house, they start reproducing, quickly turning a minor problem into a much larger one. The American Public Power Association reported that in 2016 there were an estimated 3,456 squirrel-related power outages resulting in 193,873 customers losing power.
Serving Cincinnati and the surrounding area, our locally owned and operated business is here to eliminate the squirrel problem from your property and keep them away. Removing them from a house can be challenging and is best left to professionals. Our team removes squirrels and their nests using professional and humane methods after a thorough interior and exterior inspection.
Next, we will prevent the problem from returning by sealing up potential access points, eliminating nesting sites, and removing accessible food and water sources. After completing the job, we offer follow-up inspections and treatments to ensure the measures taken are working effectively. If you are facing a potential infestation,
contact us today.