Squirrels are a nuisance to homeowners for a lot of reasons. They can damage furniture, chew through wires, cause disease (leptosperosis, diharea, and more), and have even been known to start house fires. Squirrels also leave behind lots of clues of their presence. This article will give you some insights into how to tell if your property may be the victim of a squirrel infestation.
1) Nests in trees or hollow openings in tree trunks
Seeing lots of these in your yard can be a sign that you have too many squirrels on your property.
2) Squirrels running along utility lines, or on the roof
This can lead to squirrels entering into your attic or chimney space.
3) Yard damage
Small divots in the yard, chewed bark on young trees, or eaten garden plants. Squirrels can tear up your landscaping when they scavenge for food. Squirrels can also damage bird feeders as they try and get at food.
4) Seeing squirrels regularly fighting
This is an indication that the squirrel population is too large to support individual squirrel’s needs for survival.
5) Squirrel droppings
Get the opinion of your pest management professional since some other animals have droppings that look similar. Don't try to remove droppings yourself, instead ask an expert. Squirrel droppings can carry diseases.
6) Hearing noises in the ceiling or walls
Squirrels are noisey creatures and can be heard running, scratching or fighting with each other. Generally, noises will come from squirrels in the attic, walls, chimney or vents. Noise at night probably means a flying squirrel (since they are nocturnal), while daytime noises could indicate a gray or fox squirrel.
7) Property damage
Holes in a home’s siding or under the soffits; chewed wires; attic insulation damage; and evidence of squirrel nests in the attic.
8) Odors
Over time, squirrel urine can cause areas of your home to stink. Dead squirrels in your attic or walls can create an even stronger scent.
9) Tracks
Take a piece of cardboard, put flour on it, and put it near an area that you think squirrels are inhabiting. When squirrels walk across it you will be able to see their tracks. A squirrel's rear paws have 5 long toes, and are larger than their front paws. Tracks look similar to the outline of a human hand skeleton. The front paws are shorter and only have 4 toes.
