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An attic provides a warm, dry environment, the perfect conditions for squirrels seeking a place to build a nest and raise offspring. They’re more than mere pests or nuisances. Squirrels living in your attic are a serious problem which must be eliminated quickly. Damage to the house due to gnawing includes a fire hazard since they will chew on a wire as readily as they will chew on wood.
If you have actually seen a squirrel enter the attic, it is probably nesting inside. Scratching sounds early in the morning and late in the afternoon are another warning sign that there is a squirrel living in the attic.
Unless you’ve seen the squirrel enter the attic, you must first find the entry point. Watch the outside of your house for the squirrel as it comes and goes in search of food. When the squirrel leaves, check the attic nest for babies. If there are babies in the nest when you seal off the entry way, you risk more damage as they attempt to gnaw their way out or the mother attempts to gnaw her way back in. Once you’ve determined that there are no squirrels in the attic, close the entry way. If the entrance is a vent, cover the inside of it with 1/2 inch hardware cloth.
Sometimes it isn’t possible to determine when the squirrel has gone in search of food. In that case, you may need to set a trap in the attic or near the entry point. Check local laws and ordinances. In some areas, trapping is regulated by law. Buy a trap that is specifically designed for squirrels and use bait. Many stores that sell the traps also sell bait, although peanut butter or nuts seems to work well. Traps can be purchased at hardware, garden, and major department stores. You can expect to pay between $20.00 to $50.00. Follow the directions on the trap. Wear heavy gloves. Release the animal at least 5 miles away from your home in a wooded area.
Poisoning or shooting squirrels is not a good idea. In many areas local laws and ordinances prohibit these methods. Even if local laws allow it, poisoning isn’t a good solution. You’ll create a potential health hazard for yourself and your family if a squirrel dies inside the house. If it dies outside of your house, it could pose a health hazard to pets or other animals.
Prevent squirrels from gaining or regaining access to your attic with these simple steps:
1) Check your home for possible entry points and repair them.
2) Cover the inside of vents with 1/2 inch hardware cloth.
3) Prune overhanging tree branches back eight to ten feet from the roof.
4) If pruning isn’t possible, place a 2 foot wide metal band around the tree trunk, approximately six to eight feet above the ground at its lower end.
5) Place bird feeders away from your house. Never attach them to your house.
6)If the problem continues, stop using bird feeders. A convenient food source is the major attraction to your yard, and ultimately to your attic.
7) Remove anything that can provide a jumping off point for squirrels, keeping in mind that they can jump distances of five to six feet.
If all else fails or if you aren’t comfortable attempting to resolve the problem yourself, call a pest control specialist. The yellow pages are filled with listings. You can shop around to find one who meets your needs. It's well worth the investment because leaving a squirrel in your attic can cost you much more in the long run.
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