“Squirrels are fun.” If this is how you see them, we agree. When a squirrel scampers through your yard or perches on your deck railing, munching on a nut, we can understand why you like watching them. We can also understand why you might want to provide nuts for them to eat. We get it. Unfortunately, there is a downside to inviting squirrels to come near to your home. It is important that you are aware of this before you start encouraging squirrels to be a part of your life.
Screen Damage
Squirrels won’t respect your property—they just won’t. It isn’t their fault. They’re wild animals. You may not know this but most wild animals don’t own property or have a mortgage. They don’t know that you have to fix the tiny (and not so tiny) holes they create in your screens. If you don’t mind making routine repairs to your screens, or having someone re-screen your porch, then this one isn’t a big deal.
Ticks, Fleas, and Other Parasites
One squirrel can have more than a hundred seed ticks on it. If you have a pet that goes outside and comes back inside, squirrels can expose them to these parasites. The more squirrels you have in your yard, the more tick and flea activity you’re going to have. While squirrels aren’t the only wild animals that bring parasites into yards in Fairfax, they are one of the most common culprits.
Unlawful Entry
Squirrels in Fairfax don’t know that entering your home is against the law, and it is difficult to tell them since most squirrels are illiterate and unable to read simple English—at least as far as we know. If a squirrel gets the bright idea that living in your home would be wonderful, it can cause damage as it chews its way inside. The hole it creates can allow moisture into your home which can, in turn, lead to mold issues. Once inside, here are a few things squirrels are likely to do.
- Squirrels leave droplets of urine in many places. They do this to mark their territory.
- Squirrels leave droppings everywhere. They do this because they’re not polite enough to go outside.
- Squirrels are likely to damage storage items, especially furniture. They use soft materials to create their nests.
- Squirrels make noise. Fortunately, they are diurnal animals. They won’t keep you up at night because they sleep when you do—that is assuming you don’t work second or third shift.
If You Want To Deter Squirrels
After looking at some of the problems squirrels can cause, you may want to do something. Here are a few suggestions.
- Don’t feed the squirrels. If you have a nut in your hand and you see a squirrel, remember this article and keep that nut for yourself.
- Remove food attractants. There are a few things around your home that can give squirrels a bite to eat, such as open trash, birdseed, bags of nuts from yard maintenance, and pet food that is put outside.
- Remove water sources. Squirrels need water. If you have puddles near your home, or containers that are capturing rainwater, these need to be addressed.
- Trim tree branches away from your roofline to prevent squirrels from accessing your roof.
Squirrel Control
If you ever have trouble with squirrels or you hear squirrels in your attic, let us know. The team here at SPRK Pest Solutions can remove squirrels from your home without harming them. We like squirrels. We just know that it is better to keep them outside and away from your home where they belong. Reach out to us today for immediate assistance.
