Case Study: Red Squirrel Break-in and Stucco Patching

Case Study: Red Squirrel Break-in and Stucco Patching

Exterior Inspection

A homeowner complained about squirrel activity in her attic in her residential property in Markham in the Markham Village neighbourhood. A technician was dispatched to the area and started an on-site exterior inspection. The technician has to conduct an exterior inspection as part of the entire exclusion process. It is imperative to conduct these as it allows the technician to understand the entire situation and to get the full scope of the squirrel infiltration.

The technician concluded that there was a significant gap between the stucco and shingle of the roof providing seamless access to the attic and the insulation as well. There were two entry points that make this case quite unique. Squirrels who have access to the attic space can cause unspeakable damages by spreading feces and urine all over which can also seep into the flooring of the attic as well. These squirrels will gnaw on various things such as memorabilia put in the attic for safekeeping. They also pose a fire hazard as well by gnawing on electrical cabling and wiring as a way to keep their incisors in check.

Initial Measures Taken

The technician found out that this was the cause of Red Squirrel activity. A rarity once you consider they are mostly found in nature as opposed to their more commonly seen counterpart, the Grey Squirrel. These two species are incompatible. The Red Squirrel is solitary in nature and displays territorial tendencies which make this squirrel exclusion an urgency. In short, the sooner, the better.

Gap in stucco
There was a gap between the stucco which got sealed.

In this case, the technician opted to use a clever contraption called the One-Way Door. The One-Way Door is a completely ethical way of removing the squirrel with no use of force. The contraption is a tunnel-like contraption that only allows the squirrels a one-way out in one direction, hence the name One-Way Door.

For this, the technician mounted two One-Way Doors directly on the gap between the stucco and the shingle of the roof creating a seamless exit from the attic to the world outside. After this, the technician lets the squirrel be and will come back for a second visit for a follow-up.

Follow Up Visit and Exclusion

The technician comes back for a follow-up visit a few days later and checks upon the space. He sees that the Red Squirrels have indeed exited the area. Now that the Red Squirrels exited the building, the technician started to prepare the area for sealing. The technician decided that metal flashing was the best option since it was durable. Black flashing was going to be used to create a seamless finish.

Patched stucco gap
The stucco was patched which make sure that the gap was not going to be exploited by other wildlife.

Conclusion

The homeowner reported no other squirrel break-ins and was satisfied with the result. Squirrels are a menace when it comes to our residential properties. The fact that a Red Squirrel was involved makes this case quite a rarity because the Grey Squirrel is usually the culprit in squirrel cases. Squirrels, whatever, the species can damage the attic space and turn it into such as state that the insulation and flooring need to completely be reinstalled! To have the squirrels removed, contact the technicians from Squirrel Control and have them gone without any hassle!

 

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