Squirrels

Squirrels are a type of rodent and therefore have front incisors that continuously grow throughout their life. To help stop their teeth from overgrowing, squirrels chew on almost anything they encounter. When squirrels have taken up residence on our properties, their chewing habits cause damage to wires, cables, ducts, trim, flooring, and insulation – sometimes triggering fires and causing electrical shorts.

Squirrels carry on their bodies and introduce into our yards and homes fleas, ticks, mites, and other parasites that spread diseases to people. Squirrels also spread diseases and bacteria to people they have picked up on their bodies or through their excrement.

Squirrels feed on various foods like nuts, fruit, seeds, berries, insects, and bark, all things that are available in most of our yards. Bird feeders, compost, gardens, and fruit trees act as foraging sites for squirrels.

While food will attract squirrels to your property, these curious creatures often look to get into our homes because they provide them with safe nesting spots. Squirrels move inside through chimneys, spaces around windows and doors, damaged siding, or holes along the roofline.

Tree squirrels are most problematic on properties with trees or near wooded areas and parks. Squirrels will make themselves at home in a variety of places, both in our yards or inside our structures. Some places include:

• Attics, chimneys, or wall voids
• Garages, sheds, and barns
• Warehouses and food storage facilities

Other favorite nesting spots for squirrels include trees, shrubbery, cardboard boxes, roof eaves, lawnmowers, car engines, and unused grills, which protect them from predators.

Though squirrels look innocent, we understand that they can be a maddening pest to deal with. At 911 Wildlife, we want to help you protect your home from these troublesome pests. Our professionals will come to your property to inspect and perform customized services, exclusion work, and wildlife proofing. We have the experience and dedication needed to work closely with you and remove problematic squirrels.

If you are in the Houston area and need help controlling squirrels or other wildlife that have found their way onto your property, call 911 Wildlife today.

While you should always allow a professional to handle issues with squirrels, there are things you can do around your property to make it less attractive to these unwanted visitors.

• Keep doors and windows in garages, sheds, and other outbuildings closed as much as possible. Make sure if they are open, secure screens are in place.
• If you have a garage, store lawnmowers and cars inside, preventing squirrels from getting into them to nest.
• Repair gaps around windows, doors, and other openings in the exterior of your home.
• Repair any defects that develop along your roofline, including replacing loose or missing roof shingles.
• Trim back tree limbs from your roofline.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard. Squirrels notoriously forage for food from bird feeders.
• Never purposely feed squirrels on your property.

Learn about our residential animal removal and commercial wildlife services.