Squirrels are troublesome pests that commonly invade human homes in search of a safe place to live. If you are hoping to prevent an invasion, you have the right idea. Squirrels are highly destructive and will ruin your attic’s insulation if given the opportunity to get inside. They also carry diseases and could hurt you if you get too close. Squirrel-proofing your home however can be very difficult because these animals can chew through practically anything. Expanding foam is convenient and inexpensive, but it cannot be trusted to keep the pests out. Call Squirrel Removal Toronto today for a comprehensive inspection and pest control program.
Squirrels are diurnal rodents that feed primarily on seeds, nuts, buds, fruits, and vegetables. As omnivores, they will also consume fungi, insects, eggs, and baby snakes. Squirrels naturally inhabit forests, but these are resourceful creatures that have adapted very well to urban living. Though there are hundreds of squirrel species out there, only two are known to cause trouble in Ontario: the eastern grey squirrel and the red squirrel. The eastern grey squirrel is the largest of the two and appears either fully black or grey in colour. The red squirrel, on the other hand, has a rusty red fur coat and a shorter tail.
Both the eastern grey and red squirrel like to invade homes and attics in search of a warm place to nest. They can sense that the attic is warm and can even smell the food that is stored inside the house. To get inside, squirrels will exploit any weaknesses they find. As rodents, they have very strong teeth that can tear through wood, plastic, rubber, aluminum, and drywall. Expanding foam is unfortunately no match against squirrels. Squirrels can very easily scratch and gnaw their way through this material. If you are hoping to seal gaps with expanding foam, think again as this product will deteriorate in the sunlight and look unappealing.
To keep the squirrels away, start by making your property less attractive to them. Remove clutter from the yard and mow the lawn on a regular basis. Remove bird feeders, pick up fallen fruit, and use lidded garbage cans to reduce the amount of food available. Protect your vegetable garden with squirrel-proof covers. Empty out the gutters and cut tree branches away from the roof. Then, cap your roof vents, wall vents, plumbing vents, and chimneys with a 16-gauge, galvanized steel mesh. Screw this into the roof. Squirrels cannot chew through this material and it is rust-proof, so it will last a long time. You can also strengthen soffits and other weak spots with galvanized steel mesh.
Squirrels are persistent little critters. If you are currently dealing with an invasion, or if you are interested in pest-proofing your home, call a local pest removal company. Professionals use commercial-grade tools and products, and they have the experience to use them most effectively. Should you hire a professional, he or she will perform a thorough inspection of your property and implement a program that works for you. The technicians at Squirrel Control are highly experienced in squirrel removal and our pest-proofing services come with a 2-year warranty. Call Squirrel Control for safe and reliable pest control services: 647-496-0815.