Why do I have Squirrels in my Attic?

Squirrels are known to create a nest inside trees and save nuts for the winter. This is basically what everyone knows about squirrels. However, there is more to squirrels than just nuts and tree nests. Squirrels are pesky creatures that can easily gain access to your home and call your attic space their own. When this happens, you can be plagued with the constant sound of running feet, fleas, disease and damage to your home. Squirrels belong outside and with squirrel removal Ottawa services, such pests can be removed quickly.

                                                                   

Why are squirrels living in your attic?

Squirrels like to take up residency in an attic for many reasons. First of all, the attic can be easy to access. If you have tree limbs near the roofline of your home, squirrels will commonly access your roof. They can find an entry point via a soffit or vent and find your attic space to be warm and cozy.

Attics already have insulation so there is material in place for the squirrel to make a nest. Once the squirrel as discovered the space, they will instantly make the area their new home. Squirrels will be urinating and leaving feces in your attic space which will gather in insulation and can be damaging to the wood in your attic. Squirrels can also carry disease and fleas which can be harmful to your health. If you do not access your attic often, you may find that a squirrel infestation has been going on for some time and the damage is already done. If you hear what sounds like little feet scurrying around in the attic or have seen a squirrel in your home, contact pest control Ottawa services to have the squirrels removed.

What Damage Can Take Place?

You may think that squirrels would not be able to damage the home that severely, but sadly that is not the case. Squirrels like to chew food and left alone in your attic, can do major damage to the wood components of your home. Beams and trusses supporting your roofline can be damaged and must be replaced to ensure the integrity of your home. Squirrels will also urinate and leave feces behind which can be a breeding ground for disease as well as leave stains on surfaces of the attic.

Squirrels can also have fleas which can be left behind in the home. Not removing the fleas can result in a new infestation in the attic space and eventually the entirety of your home. Any damage that exists in the home will have to be removed and changes made to ensure the health of those in the home is intact as well as the integrity of the home. Experts in wildlife removal will be able to remove the squirrels from your attic space and survey the area once the animal is no longer present. A course of action will be recommended to have the attic back in top shape in no time.

To learn more about squirrel removal services, contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today. The company offers a wealth of pest removal options for animals including squirrels, skunks, raccoons and more.

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6 Things Everyone Should Do When Moving Into a New House

There is nothing worse than moving into a new home and finding out that someone has already claimed your new dwelling. No, we are not talking about squatters, well maybe we are! Many different kinds of wildlife can claim an empty home for their own and you may very well move in to find out that you are not alone. Learn how to search for such critters as you are moving in so that you can get rid of pests before they do damage to your personal items, your new home or cause health hazards for yourself and other family members.

                                        

Inspect Exterior Walls/Roof/Foundation

To get started, you will need to conduct an exterior inspection of the property. This will include the exterior walls, roof and foundation. In each area, you are inspecting for any openings or weaknesses. Pest control services will tell you that pests commonly use these areas to gain entry to the home. From squirrels to raccoons and even skunks, you may find that your home is taken over and infested in these areas. Take a walk around the property looking for any areas where such creatures could gain entry. Add screening to block any animals from gaining access to any weak points.

Inspect Attic for Signs of Wildlife Activity

The attic is an easy space for many creatures to call home. Wildlife control experts are often called out to homes due to noises in the attic. Raccoons commonly use soffits and venting to gain entry into the attic and make a den. Squirrels do the same and bats can also use their area as a place to call home. You want to inspect your new home’s attic space to look for any wiring that appears chewed up, droppings from animals or insulation damage. Any of these signs mean that some type of creature is living in this space.

Inspect Basement for Mouse Activity

Basements are a common area for mice to call home. Inspect your new home basement and look for chewed wiring, openings with grease markings or tiny mouse droppings. You may find that your basement is a breeding ground for mice and wildlife control will need to be contacted.

Check Garage for Mouse Activity

Any garage area should also be checked for critters, with mice commonly using this area as a home base. The garage is a nice location for mice as humans rarely use the garage expect to leave and arrive home. The garage will be filled with boxes and hidey holes that mice can use for bedding areas. Search for signs of mice to be sure your home is pest free.

Check Windows and Doors for Proper Sealing

Windows and doors need to be properly sealed so creatures cannot gain entry. Check the home for any drafts in these areas and seal as needed to block any entry points.

Trim Back Vegetation and Landscaping

Large bushes and trees near the home can give creature’s access to your rooftop and attic space. Take time to trim back any vegetation and landscaping to avoid giving creature’s access to this area of your home.

Find out more about wildlife control by contacting the experts at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control.

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Bats can still spread rabies without an obvious bite

Bats play a vital role in the ecosystem of the world, eating such bugs as mosquitoes, helping to keep the population down. However, bats are also carriers of several diseases that can affect the health of humans, including rabies. It is important for home owners to be able to recognize when bats are near and how to stay safe from disease such as rabies.

Contracting Rabies

Rabies is a disease that is carried by several creatures including bats. The most common exposure method to rabies is by a bite from a rabid animal. However, what many do not know is that rabies can also be transmitted when the rabid animal’s saliva comes in contact with a human via mouth, eyes, nose or wound.

For example, you may come in contact with a bat that has rabies and never be bitten but the saliva of the bat comes into contact with a cut or scrape. This can lead to you becoming infected. When an individual is exposed to the rabies virus, a vaccine must be administered immediately. This vaccine is known as post-exposure prophylaxis which will help to prevent infection in the body.

After infection, symptoms will begin to take place and in most cases the end result is death. As many as 30,000 individuals in the United States are given the vaccine due to potentially being exposed to the rabies virus including exposure to bats.

Solving a Bat Problem

Because of the threat of rabies within bats, it is important to take care of any bats in the home as soon as a problem is realized. You should get rid of bats as soon as possible to avoid an issue with rabies in bats. You may hear noises at night in the walls or attic space. This can be a sure sign that you have bats in your home. Take a look outside. Do you see bats flying about? If so, try to determine where they are entering your home.

In most cases, bats will enter in the attic space via small holes, vents or openings in the roof line. Bats are small creatures and can contort their body into weird positions to be able to fit inside your home. A wildlife expert with experience in bat removal will be able to assist you with finding out the weak points of your home and removing the bats in a timely manner.

An expert in bat removal knows the right method in which to capture the bat. A gloved hand, plastic container or net will work best and is not something that the average person is able to do. The professional will also be able to assist you with any cleanup needs in the area. Bat feces is also a health hazard that needs to be cleaned in the right manner. Consult with professional wildlife removal experts when you have bats in the home to see removal and cleanup take place in the best way possible.

Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today to learn more about bat removal or to schedule an appointment for service.

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