Squirrel Control
Anticimex Carolinas is an expert squirrel control and exclusion company servings homes and businesses in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Squirrels can be amusing to watch because of their quirky behavior and acrobatics as they jump around trees and engage in entertaining dramas with one another. Unlike many species, squirrels are not shy and thrive around humans, even in broad daylight.
The downside is that they can be incredibly destructive, so infestation prevention is a must for every homeowner. Fortunately, Anticimex Carolinas provides state-of-the-art squirrel removal & exclusion services to residents of North Carolina and South Carolina to eliminate your pest issues for good.
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What Are Squirrels?
Squirrels are small rodents belonging to the same family as chipmunks and prairie dogs, and they are very common throughout the Carolinas. Squirrels are quick-moving, energetic, and extremely active. They eat nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, and insects.
How to Identify Squirrels
Squirrels are easily identified by their long, bushy tail. These rodents are small, measuring 15 to 20 inches in length and weighing about one pound. Their bodies are long and covered in short fur. They have four legs and often sit or stand upright on their hind legs. The eastern gray squirrel is the most common species in the Carolinas, characterized by its gray fur and white belly.
How Did I Get Squirrels?
Squirrels are extremely common in both rural and urban environments. They have adapted to living near humans and are attracted by food sources and shelter. Your property may draw squirrels if you have lots of trees or thick vegetation they can use as shelter. Fruit trees, berry bushes, and birdseed will also act as a beacon.
Squirrels can get indoors through small openings, so it’s important to inspect your home for damage and seal entry points. Overhanging trees also give squirrels access to roofs, where they can find or create holes to get inside and nest.
Signs of a Squirrel Infestation
Learn to spot the signs that squirrels are active in your home:
- More frequent sightings.
- Droppings
- Scampering or scratching noises
- Chew marks or baseball-sized holes on the home’s exterior
- Piles of shredded nesting materials
- Musty or ammonia-like odors
Don’t hesitate to contact a professional wildlife removal expert if you notice any of these. Infestations grow rapidly and become more difficult to eradicate the larger they get.
What Are the Effects of Squirrels In & Around My Home or Business?
A squirrel’s teeth never stop growing. They must constantly chew to keep their teeth worn down, and they can cause a huge amount of damage by chewing through shingles, siding, woodwork, plastic pipes, and even electrical wires, which creates a fire hazard.
Squirrels love to nest in attics. Once they find safe and warm shelter with a nearby food supply, they have no intention of leaving. They shred insulation and can create holes that lead to drafts and higher energy bills. If a squirrel becomes trapped inside a wall void or other small space, it may perish, which leads to unpleasant odors inside your home that are difficult to source.
Squirrels also cause damage outdoors. They raid gardens for food and dig holes around lawns to bury nuts. They may strip bark from young trees, sometimes killing them. These rodents can carry disease and spread bacteria via their droppings and urine. They also bring secondary pests like ticks, fleas, and mites onto your property.
How Long Do Squirrels Live?
The lifespan of a squirrel depends on the species, but wild squirrels generally live between 5 and 10 years if they make it to adulthood. Females can live as long as 13 years. Squirrels reach reproductive age in a year, and females carry two litters each year, each with two to five kittens.
How Do I Prevent Squirrels?
It’s important to take action if you detect squirrel activity on your property, but prevention is ideal to prevent damage from occurring. First of all, you should never feed squirrels. Giving them food encourages them to return again and again. Second, make sure you remove all access to food by picking up fallen fruit and nuts, keeping trash in sealed bins, and removing outdoor pet food.
Use physical barriers like squirrel baffles around trees and bird feeders to prevent them from climbing. Garden cages help to protect your plants. Scent deterrents like planting mint, marigolds, and daffodils can also help. Placing statues of predators like owls may help to scare squirrels away.
An essential part of preventing squirrels from invading your home is conducting regular property maintenance. Inspect the exterior for holes and vulnerable points and repair them immediately. Take special care with roofs and eaves, as these are the areas through which squirrels mainly enter.
Eliminate the Threat of Squirrels With Help From Anticimex Carolinas
If you want an effective strategy to get rid of squirrels permanently, then contact the experts at Anticimex Carolinas. Our team can create a customized plan that meets your property’s needs. We use the latest pest control innovations like SMART Wildlife Exclusion, which is both eco-friendly and humane while delivering results. Don’t let squirrels wreak havoc on your property. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and to request your free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Squirrels in the Carolinas
Can I safely remove squirrels myself?
There is always the risk of getting bitten or contracting a disease from handling wildlife. Many areas also have laws and restrictions regarding trapping and relocating. It’s safer to leave squirrel removal to the professionals to avoid injury and remain in compliance with local laws.
What time of year am I most likely to get squirrels?
Squirrels are active all year, but you are most vulnerable to an infestation during breeding seasons (February-April and July-August) and the fall, when squirrels look for warmer shelter for themselves and a safe place to stash food.
Will squirrels come back after removal?
They will try, which is why you need to seal entry points and take action to deter them.
What’s the difference between removal and exclusion?
Removal targets the squirrels currently present, while exclusion is a long-term strategy to prevent them from returning.
When should I call a professional for squirrel control?
If you want an effective strategy to get rid of squirrels permanently, then contact the experts at Anticimex Carolinas. Our team can create a customized plan that meets your property’s needs. We use the latest pest control innovations like SMART Wildlife Exclusion, which is both eco-friendly and humane while delivering results. Don’t let squirrels wreak havoc on your property. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and to request your free estimate.