SQUIRREL REMOVAL

"Tips for keeping this little guy outdoors where he belongs"

Here in South Jersey we know the squirrel as autumn's mascot. Images  
of the adorable rodent frolicking in parks gathering acorns, are a sure  sign that fall is here and winter is around the corner. But ask anyone who's home has been invaded by one of these not so cuddly creatures and you'll hear what a menace the squirrel can be.

 Like all wildlife,squirrels look for certain things when they chose to use your home as a habitat. Easy access to food and water and shelter will make your house an appealing nesting place for the squirrel. Squirrels are very agile and persistent animals. Once they detect a vulnerable area on the exterior of your home or business building, they will stubbornly claw and chew until they gain access to the inside. When a squirrel decides that a property offers what it needs for survival it becomes determined to build its habitat in that spot and no other. It will even return year after year as long as the three elements of food,clothing and shelter are present. Squirrels can cause a number of problems to the homeowner.Like all members of the rodent family, squirrels are excellent chewers, and they will chew their way into your home or commercial building. Once inside, they may chew on wires, creating a fire hazard.

 Squirrels can be heard running about in the attic, walls and ceiling. They bring in nesting debris which can also be a fire hazard. They've been known to chew on the interior framework of a home. Squirrels have two litters per year, and reproduce quickly, like all rodents. This means that at certain times of the year the squirrel population will grow to high numbers. At these times extra pressure is placed on buildings. Once the animal has established the pattern of relying on your property as a food source, it will be hard  
to break it of the habit.

 So, what can you do to be sure that your home does not become a target for the persistent stubborn and determined  squirrel? 

The obvious answer is to remove the elements that it needs  for survival. As many people take great pleasure in the pastime of  
feeding local birds this is one of the top attractions for the  menacing squirrel. It is Unfortunate for you, if a neighbor is the bird lover. Often times, the squirrel will want to keep a good distance from the activity,choosing your home to invade as it's nesting spot and not theirs. 
If your neighbor has a bird feeder and you have squirrels  living in your attic you may want to suggest that they assist in squirrel proofing the neighborhood by purchasing a squirrel proof bird feeder.

Once you have identified all potential food sources you'll want to perform a thorough inspection of the exterior of your home. Identify tree branches that may have grown to close to the roof line and have them cut away.Look for any holes or loose or rotted wood that squirrels can penetrate to gain access to your home. Check all gable ends, ridge cap ends, fascia boards, and soffit vents. Squirrels will move into attics and chimneys, and even drier vents. These areas should be properly sealed and capped to keep wildlife from entering your home. If you are not confident in your ability to identify potential entry points, please call us at 856 786 8008. Our experts know exactly what to look for and are experienced in securing the areas of vulnerability against wildlife penetration. Any potential points of entry that are found will need to be permanently sealed with steel, which squirrels cannot chew. Chimneys must be capped and vents covered with mesh. These are services that Cato offers. It’s important to be sure there are no animals inside of your home before you seal the entry points. Cato can provide an extensive inspection of your attic and crawl space to look for signs of wildlife within.