Squirrel Control Chester County

 

We offer squirrel control in Chester County. Gray squirrels, affectionately called tree rats, are the most abundant small game found in Pennsylvania.  Chester County is home to 4 species of squirrel: the gray squirrel, fox squirrel, red squirrel, and flying squirrel.  In this post, we will discuss the gray squirrel and how it affects our Chester County clients.

 

 

 

When we have a client that calls about a squirrel problem, it usually falls into one of two scenarios:

Scenario 1: Squirrels are causing issues outside of the home.  This can be the client seeing too many squirrels. The client could also be experiencing damage to plants, bird feeders, and even their vehicles!

Scenario 2: Squirrels are inside of the house.  Most commonly the squirrels have gained access into the attic space of the home.

 

Squirrel Issues Outside

For our squirrel control Chester County clients that are experiencing scenario 1, there are many options for squirrel control.  The underlying issue at hand in scenario 1 is that there are too many squirrels around the property.  This sounds obvious but let’s discuss what can be done to reduce the squirrel population around the property.

Squirrel Trapping

The best option for squirrel control and population reduction is live capture and removal.  This involves setting live traps to capture squirrels and then removing them from the property.  We always release squirrels at least 5-10 miles away from where they were captured.  Typical baits to attract and trap squirrels include peanut butter, nuts, and berries.   This option will drastically lower the squirrel population and provide immediate relief if the squirrels have been causing damage.

Habitat Modification

Another option for the besieged homeowner is to make their property less appealing to squirrels.  This can be as simple as removing a primary squirrel food source.  A common squirrel food source is a bird feeder.  Other less simple options could mean removing trees and other squirrel den locations.  We never advise the removal of trees unless the tree has been planted too close to the home.

Since squirrels are rodents, they instinctually have to gnaw to keep their teeth whittled down.  Sometimes we get calls related to squirrels chewing on car wires.  With the modern automobile having so many electronics, this damage can be very expensive to repair.  The best option for treatment is to trap the nuisance squirrel and remove it from the property.  Some of our Chester County clients have applied repellents to the under side of their vehicles as a deterrent.

Squirrel Repellents

Repellents come in many different forms for squirrels.  The most common types of squirrel repellents are liquid and granular repellents.  Liquid repellents are often made from a substance that squirrels do not like. These substances are usually very spicy, like a hot spicy or peppermint.  Liquid repellents would be applied to specific areas where squirrels are causing damage.  Granular repellents are applied along a perimeter to prevent squirrels from entering the perimeter.  These repellents have a moth ball smell and can be impacted by weather.

When repellents are used, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  In the case of squirrels chewing at car wires, liquid repellents have a higher success rate than granular repellents.  We don’t apply repellents as a company.  Our philosophy is to physically capture and remove the problem animal.

 

Squirrel Issues Inside

With our squirrel control Chester County in scenario 2, there is a squirrel or squirrels inside of the home.  When our Chester County clients have a squirrel in the house, step 1 is to make sure that it is a squirrel.  Many of our clients are surprised that they have mice instead of squirrels.  We always verify what the issue is before we begin or recommend treatment.

Squirrel Inspection

Starting on the outside of the home, we will look for obvious signs of squirrel activity.  This could be trees that overhang the roof of the home.  Although squirrels are amazing climbers and can climb up a wall if they wanted, they prefer an easier method.  Trees are the natural ladders for squirrels.  Since gray squirrels’ natural home is trees, trees that overhang the roof are just an invitation for squirrel issues.  We recommend having trees trimmed at least 8-10 feet away from the house.  This isn’t always possible depending on how close the tree is planted to the house.

Other evidence of squirrel activity includes seeing squirrels physically on the roof.  Has the client been seeing squirrels on or near the roof?  Squirrels usually are not shy about their entrances into the home.  The damage they cause entering the home can be quite extensive.  Identifying all of the current and potential squirrel entrances is absolutely critical to successfully ridding your home of squirrels.

Inspection of the attic space can lend more evidence to whether the issue is squirrels or mice.  Mice in an attic space will tunnel through the insulation and droppings will be visible.  Squirrels often nest in the soffiting area and are not as easily seen in the attic.  What the client is hearing in the attic and when they are hearing the noise is also helpful in the determining the issue.  Hearing scratching or clawing at night is almost always just mice.  Squirrels sound like an elephant above the ceiling and are most active early in the morning and around dusk.

Squirrel Exclusion

Once the squirrel entrance has been identified, getting the squirrels out is next step.  Installing a one-way excluding door over the entrance is a great way to evict squirrels.  The one-way door is a spring-loaded door that allows the squirrels to exit but not re-enter the attic.  Other entrances or potential entrances should be sealed or closed up using steel wiring and sealant.

Trapping can also be conducted while the one-way door is evicting the squirrels.  This can help capture and remove the squirrel that has been evicted so they do not try and re-enter the structure somewhere else.  After a few days of no activity, the one-way door can be removed and the remaining opening sealed up.  Remember, never seal up an opening until you are absolutely certain that all animals have left the attic space.  An animal that is trapped in the attic can cause substantial damage trying to get out.

Prudential Pest Solutions can help!

We offer a full range of wildlife control and animal removal. Our technicians are fully licensed, insured, and experienced in identifying and resolving squirrel issues.  All of our wildlife control and removal options are humane and effective.  Our Chester County clients love our affordable, professional, and effective squirrel control services.

Give us a call or send us a message for your squirrel control in Chester County.