Spring is right here, and with it comes new development, hotter climate—and the squirrel child increase! Sure, spring marks the peak of squirrel breeding season, when houses can turn out to be hotspots for these intelligent animals as they search for secure, cozy locations to boost their households.
For those who’ve discovered squirrels darting round your property not too long ago or observed uncommon sounds in your attic, it is likely to be time to organize your house to shield it from squirrel exercise. Right here, we’ll break down every part you could know concerning the squirrel child increase, why your house is likely to be a goal, and the way small steps can prevent massive complications.
Squirrel Mating Season and Child Squirrels
Squirrel breeding season sometimes occurs twice a 12 months—as soon as in late winter and once more in the summertime. Nonetheless, the spring season is usually the busiest, with feminine squirrels giving start to litters of two–5 offspring in March or April.
Inside about 4 weeks, the infant squirrels (or kits) start exploring their environment, creating extra potential exercise in and round your house. These small creatures rely closely on sturdy, secure nests for cover as they develop. Squirrels usually go for tree cavities, however constructing nests in attics or chimneys is simply as frequent once they have close by entry.
For those who’ve been questioning what a squirrel nest appear to be?—consider a rounded bundle of leaves, twigs, moss, and different pure supplies. These nests are generally mistaken for chicken nests, however they’re usually bigger and tucked into hidden areas.
Whereas it could be fascinating to look at wildlife in motion, a squirrel household in your house can result in expensive injury. The sooner you’re taking precautions, the higher geared up you’ll be for squirrel-proofing your property.
Why Your House is a Goal
Your house is likely to be extra engaging to squirrels than you understand. They instinctively search heat, dry, and quiet areas for his or her nests—locations like attics, chimneys, soffits, and even partitions. Older or broken houses are usually extra susceptible as a result of small gaps or weaknesses within the construction can present quick access.
Some key options that may make your house an interesting hideaway embrace:
- Roofline Gaps or Openings: Tiny gaps or holes in your roof or siding can act as the right entryway. Squirrels are surprisingly nimble and may squeeze by way of areas as small as two inches extensive.
- Overhanging Tree Branches: Branches near your house are like highways for squirrels, granting them fast entry to your roof.
- Chimneys With out Covers: These can appear to be a “ready-to-move-in” nest website for squirrels in the course of the breeding season.
- Accessible Meals Sources: Birdseed, pet meals, and rubbish left unsecured are straightforward meals that encourage squirrels to stay round.
Understanding the dangers is the 1st step. The subsequent step in safeguarding your property is prevention.
Prevention Steps to Shield Your Dwelling
As you put together your house for post-mating season squirrel exercise, it’s important to take proactive measures to guard your area from these resourceful creatures. Observe this step-by-step information to forestall squirrel intrusions and keep a safe setting.
- Conduct a Thorough Inspection
To safeguard your house in opposition to squirrel intrusions, begin by conducting an in depth inspection of the outside. Search for gaps, holes, or different potential entry factors across the roofline, vents, and soffits. Examine for chew marks, unfastened supplies, or any indicators of squirrel exercise. This thorough evaluation will assist you establish susceptible areas that require fast consideration and reinforce the safety of your property.
- Seal Entry Factors
To successfully block squirrel entry factors, make the most of sturdy supplies similar to metal mesh or caulk. These sturdy supplies present a barrier in opposition to undesirable intrusions. Moreover, contemplate putting in chimney caps and vent covers to additional fortify these susceptible areas. By investing in these preventative measures, you may guarantee a safe and squirrel-resistant setting to your residence.
- Trim Overhanging Branches
To stop quick access for squirrels, it’s necessary to take care of a secure distance between tree limbs and your roof. Commonly trim overhanging branches that may function highways for these agile creatures. By limiting their climbing routes, you create a barrier that daunts squirrels from venturing too near your house. This easy proactive measure goes a good distance in safeguarding your property from potential squirrel intrusions.
- Safe Rubbish and Meals Sources
To stop squirrels from being enticed onto your property, make the most of rubbish bins with securely becoming lids. This ensures that squirrels can not entry the contents of the bins and minimizes the possibilities of them venturing nearer to your house. Additionally, it is very important keep away from leaving pet meals, birdseed, or some other attractants outdoors that may entice squirrels. By implementing these easy measures, you may successfully deter squirrels and keep a squirrel-free setting round your property.
- Set up One-Method Doorways (Skilled Solely)
To securely and successfully take away squirrels from your house, think about using humane one-way doorways. These units enable squirrels to exit your house however stop them from re-entering. This technique ensures the protection of squirrel households, together with their infants, with out the danger of separation. It’s essential to seek the advice of professionals to make sure the correct set up and use of one-way doorways. By using this method, you may obtain squirrel elimination whereas sustaining their well-being and stopping future intrusions.
- Examine Seasonal Vulnerabilities
To guard your house from squirrel intrusions, it’s necessary to examine your property frequently. Checking your house at the least twice a 12 months permits you to spot any gaps, holes, or weak spots that squirrels may use to get inside. Taking a proactive method helps you deal with these points early, conserving your house safe and minimizing the danger of squirrel exercise.
Get your house prepared for elevated squirrel exercise by following these easy steps. Common inspections and well timed repairs will go a good distance in defending your property and conserving squirrels out.
Why Skilled Assistance is Key
Whereas prevention helps rather a lot, there are occasions when you could name in professionals. Eradicating squirrels safely and humanely, particularly in the course of the child increase when nests are stuffed with younger ones, requires the appropriate instruments, data, and coaching.
At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Management, we specialise in discovering and sealing entry factors, safely evicting animals, and stopping future points. DIY strategies can usually result in incomplete fixes or hurt to the animals, so working with consultants is one of the best ways to guard your house.
Sealing your house after eradicating squirrels is simply as necessary as getting them out. Our crew is aware of precisely the place to seek out weak spots and can safe them to make sure long-term safety and peace of thoughts.
Act Now to Shield Your Dwelling This Spring
Spring is a time for brand new beginnings—for squirrels and householders alike. By making ready your house for squirrel breeding season, you may keep away from the stress, noise, and potential injury brought on by squirrels transferring in.
Take motion now to guard your funding and luxuriate in a worry-free spring and summer season. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Management in Mississauga is right here to assist with skilled squirrel elimination and prevention companies.
Contact us at this time to request a quote or schedule a session—and preserve your house secure and sound for seasons to return!
