Are you hearing noises coming from your attic? If you’re hearing them at night, it’s not a squirrel that is making those noises, but likely a raccoon. Squirrels are up to during the day and sound asleep at night. These are busy little rodents that prefer to go about their business during the light of day. They are almost never seen after dark. If you suspect that some animals have broken into your attic, give us a call. We’ll identify the species that is giving you trouble and get rid of it humanely. We provide squirrel removal services in Peterborough and the surrounding area.
Squirrels are omnivorous rodents that are common in cities and forests alike. The most common species in Ontario is the eastern grey squirrel, which measures up to 30cm in length and has grey or black fur. The red squirrel is the second most common, which measures only up to 21cm in length and has rusty red fur. Both nest in tree canopies and hollows and mate twice a year, in spring and summer. Contrary to popular belief, squirrels do not hibernate, and they do not hoard their food. They bury it everywhere in the fall, so they can dig it up later when food is scarce.
Signs of a Squirrel Invasion
Squirrels make a lot of noise. Hearing noises coming from the attic is a common sign of an invasion. The fact that squirrels are up during the day helps identify the cause of the noise. Mice, rats, bats, and raccoons – other potential invaders – are nocturnal. If you are noticing any of the following signs, contact a professional for removal immediately.
- Noises in the attic: Scratching, squealing, thumping, and chattering noises during the day are indicative of a squirrel invasion.
- Odours: Squirrels leave feces and urine around their nests, which creates foul odours. If you can smell something bad coming from the attic, it might be squirrels.
- Squirrel activity on the roof: Seeing an enormous amount of squirrel activity on the roof might mean that there are squirrels living in the attic. See if you can find where they are coming from.
- Damage in the attic: If you can go inside your attic, look for nesting materials and signs of damage. Squirrels like to chew on wires and wooden beams.
How to Get Rid of Squirrels
Squirrels can be removed from attics as soon as their babies are old enough to walk on their own. Call a local wildlife removal company and a technician will put a one-way door on the squirrels’ entry point. This consists of a mesh tube that looks a lot like a trap, but it is open-ended to let the animals out safely. Within a few days, the squirrels will crawl out of their den and be unable to come back. To prevent them from tearing a new hole in the roof, have your roof vents covered in pest-proof mesh and fix every vulnerability on your roof. The technician can do this for you.
Squirrels are energetic little critters that can be seen running around at all hours of the day, but not at night. These are strictly diurnal animals that can only see in the light. At night, they hide in their nests and sleep. If you are worried about the squirrels in your neighbourhood, or if you think you have squirrels nesting in your home, give us a call. A technician will be there soon for a complete inspection and solution that works for you. Call us for guaranteed squirrel removal and exclusion in Peterborough and beyond.