Removing Nuisance Squirrels Near Your Home

 With their fluffy tails and nimble acrobatics, squirrels may seem cute and harmless when they first appear in your neighborhood. Yet behind the furry exterior, tree squirrels like grays and fox squirrels can inflict serious property damage when they set up residence nearby in attics, soffits or walls. Squirrel removal near Houston and their nests takes strategic work, but restores your home’s peace.

Why Squirrels Invade Nearby Homes

Mature trees and plentiful gardens surrounding homes mimic ideal natural habitat that attracts urban squirrels. As neighborhoods expand, squirrels move closer seeking:

• Sheltered Nest Sites - Squirrels chew into local attics, soffits, chimneys and other protected voids perfect for nesting and birthing young.
• Food Supply - Nearby bird feeders, pet bowls, vegetable gardens and trash provide easy calories.
• Escape from Predators - With fewer hawks, coyotes and cats, suburban areas offer safer havens.

Once inside, breeding squirrel colonies grow rapidly. Let’s review the impacts of having squirrels as neighbors.

Risks and Damages from Local Squirrels

Though small, residential squirrels become destructive pests jeopardizing home integrity and health:

• Structural Damage - Squirrels gnaw into shingles, soffits, vents and siding to create entry holes. They also chew up wires, ducts, and beams.
• Fire Hazards - Frayed electrical wiring damaged by gnawing can ignite fires in walls and attics. Their flammable nests add risk.
• Noise Nuisances - Squirrels scampering through local walls and ceilings make infuriatingly noisy pests, disrupting sleep and concentration.
• Disease Risks - Squirrel droppings, fleas and nesting materials contain diseases transmittable to humans through air vents or bites.
• Spreading Infestations - Local squirrel populations will expand to overrun neighborhoods if left uncontrolled.

Squirrel problems won’t fix themselves if left alone. Act quickly before damage spreads.

Removing Squirrels Humanely

When homeowners discover local squirrels invading homes, avoid inhumane removal tactics:

• Lethal Traps - Cruel and prohibited in some areas.
• Poisons - Could harm children or pets who encounter squirrels outside.
• Relocating - Illegal in many municipalities and risky for relocated squirrels.

Humane Exclusion using one-way doors is the most ethical and effective removal method.

• Seal all but one entry point squirrels use.
• Install a one-way door over final entry/exit that lets squirrels out but not back in.
• Once gone, seal last entry point.

This removes squirrels without harm and prevents re-entry. Time exclusions to avoid orphaning young squirrels.

Preventing Local Squirrels from Re-Entering

Sealing entry points alone often fails to keep persistent squirrels away for long. Advised prevention measures include:

• Removing exterior food sources like bird feeders
• Installing steel mesh chimney caps and vent covers
• Placing predator decoys like snakes or owls to deter squirrels
• Pruning trees back from touching rooflines
• Keeping attics clean and sealed
• Deterring with moth balls, bright lights orSounds
• Blocking access paths like tree branches or power lines

Make homes as unwelcoming as possible to keep squirrels focused elsewhere in your neighborhood.

Signs of Nearby Squirrels

Indications squirrels may be roosting in your area include:

• Noises in walls, attics or chimneys like scampering, gnawing or chirping
• Ripped insulation, papers or fabrics scattered outside of accessed areas
• Sightings of local squirrels racing along roofs and fences
• Squirrel droppings around the home’s exterior
• Damaged soffits, roof shingles or fascia boards surrounding potential entry points
• Peculiar smells from squirrel latrines or decaying carcasses

Don’t ignore these red flags. Act quickly to evict squirrels before populations and damages spread.

Dangers of DIY Squirrel Removal

It may seem straightforward to trap nuisance squirrels or plug holes yourself. But DIY squirrel removal brings added problems:

• Failing to find and seal every possible entry point. Squirrels just chew new holes.
• Using prohibited removal methods injuring local squirrels.
• Allowing young squirrels to be trapped behind sealed holes.
• Squirrels dying in hard to reach places like walls or chimneys.
• Violating laws against relocating wildlife. Fines are steep.

Let professional wildlife experts handle squirrel evictions properly to avoid added issues down the road.

Benefits of Professional Squirrel Control

Reputable pest control companies have skills and tools homeowners lack for effective, lasting squirrel removal:

• Finding all entry points through comprehensive inspection
• Extracting all squirrels using proven humane methods
• Sealing exterior openings so squirrels can't return
• Legally removing contaminated nests and droppings
• Repairing structural damage caused by squirrels
• Providing guarantees to ensure squirrels stay out
• Preventing orphaned young or trapped squirrels

Though costlier than DIY, professional squirrel control brings lasting relief. Invest upfront to avoid recurrent issues.

Costs of Local Squirrel Removal and Exclusion

Expect to pay $500 - $1500 for complete professional removal and permanent exclusion of nuisance squirrels:

• Number of entry/exit holes to seal
• Scope of attic damage and contamination
• Extent of exterior repairs needed
• Follow-up prevention measures required
• Repeat visits if new squirrels appear

This significant but worthwhile investment prevents ongoing destruction and health hazards uncontrolled squirrels cause locally. Don't tolerate new infestations.

Keeping Your Area Squirrel-Free

Regularly inspect for and quickly seal any new potential entry spots after woodlands attic squirrels removal. Also:

• Trim overhanging tree branches
• Maintain chimney caps and vent covers
• Remove exterior food sources attracting squirrels
• Keep attics clean and dry to discourage nesting
• Install gutter guards and mesh on vulnerable surfaces

Staying vigilant and exclusion-focused is key to keeping your neighborhood protected from recurrent squirrel invasions.