RIDALL Pest Control

Get Rid of Squirrels

When squirrels infiltrate homes and businesses, they can result in ongoing infestations, health risks, and structural damage, despite their seemingly harmless backyard visitors. In their quest for food and shelter, these nimble rodents are known to chew through wooden beams, wiring, and insulation. Professional squirrel exterminator services can help keep your property safe if you suspect a squirrel problem.

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Identification: Common Information About Squirrels

Squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, which includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. In urban and suburban areas, including the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions, the Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are the most common culprits invading homes and businesses.

Key Characteristics of Squirrels:

Size: Typically 9-12 inches (23-30cm) long, with an additional 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) of bushy tail.
Colour: Varies by species, but most are gray, brown, or reddish with white underbellies.
Ears & Tail: Small, round ears and fluffy tails that help with balance.
Teeth: Continuously growing incisors that require constant gnawing on wood, wires, and plastic.

Movement: Squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers, easily accessing rooftops, chimneys, and vents.

5 Interesting Facts About Squirrels

Squirrels’ Teeth Never Stop Growing – Like other rodents, squirrels must constantly chew on wood, wires, and hard materials to keep their teeth from overgrowing.
They Can Jump 10 Times Their Body Length – Their strong hind legs allow squirrels to leap great distances, making it easy for them to access rooftops, chimneys, and attics.
Squirrels Have Built-In Navigation Systems – They remember exactly where they bury their food using spatial memory, which helps them survive harsh winters.
They Use Their Tails for Communication & Balance – A squirrel’s bushy tail acts as a rudder when jumping and helps communicate warning signals to other squirrels.
Squirrels Can Cause Power Outages – Their habit of chewing electrical wires has led to power grid failures, making them a common cause of blackouts.

Squirrel Baby Season: When Do They Reproduce?

Squirrels reproduce twice a year, leading to frequent infestations in attics and crawl spaces.

Breeding seasons: March-April and June–August.
Gestation period: 44–45 days
Litter size: Typically 2–5 babies per litter.
Development: Baby squirrels stay in the nest for 10–12 weeks before venturing out.

During baby season, mother squirrels aggressively defend their nests, making squirrel removal more challenging. If you hear scratching sounds in the attic, it’s likely a mother squirrel with her young. To prevent harming the babies, squirrel exterminator services focus on safe and humane removal.

Habitat: Where Do Squirrels Nest in Structures?

Squirrels prefer wooded areas, but their adaptability allows them to thrive in urban and suburban settings. They use leaves, twigs, and moss to construct their nests, known as dreys, in high, protected areas.

Common Squirrel Nesting Sites Near Homes & Businesses:

Attics & Crawl Spaces: Easy access through vents, roof gaps, chimneys, and soffits.
Commercial Properties: Large buildings provide warm, undisturbed nesting spots in ceilings, HVAC systems, and warehouses.
Tree Cavities & Roof Overhangs: If nearby trees extend to your roof, squirrels can easily jump onto your home.
Garages & Sheds: Squirrels sneak into stored boxes, insulation, and old furniture.
Solar Panels & Gutter Systems: They often chew through wiring and clog drainage.

Once squirrels establish a nest, they return year after year—leading to repeated infestations. A squirrel exterminator company like Ridall Pest Control can help identify access points and prevent re-entry.

When to Call for Squirrel Removal Help?

Recognizing early signs of a squirrel infestation can prevent severe damage and health risks. If you notice any of the following, contact us, a squirrel removal company immediately:

Scratching or Scampering Sounds – Squirrels in attics, walls, or crawl spaces often make noises, especially at dawn and dusk
Chewed Wires & Structural Damage – If you see frayed electrical wires, gnawed wooden beams, or insulation damage, squirrels are likely inside your home.
Squirrel Droppings & Urine Stains – Squirrel waste can spread bacteria, mold, and airborne contaminants, posing health hazards.
Nesting Materials Indoors – Finding shredded paper, leaves, or insulation in attics or behind walls is a clear sign of squirrel activity.
Increased Squirrel Activity Around Your Home – If you see squirrels frequently entering your roof, chimney, or attic, they may have already built a nest inside.
Strong Odours & Pest Infestation – Decomposing squirrels trapped in walls or attics release foul smells and attract flies, mites, and other pests.

If you’re searching for squirrels near me and need fast, effective removal, contact the professionals at Ridall Pest Control before the problem worsens.

Identifying a Squirrel Infestation: Signs to Watch For

Squirrels are active during the day, so most infestations are noticeable in the early morning and evening. If you suspect squirrels in your home or business, look for these warning signs:

Scratching & Scampering Noises

Hearing noises in your attic or walls? Particularly at dawn and dusk, squirrels make loud rustling, chewing, and thumping noises as they move.

Droppings & Urine Stains

Squirrel droppings look similar to rat feces but are slightly larger. You may find them in:

Attics, storage areas, and near food sources
Along rafters, beams, or insulation
Near nesting sites

Urine stains on walls or ceilings indicate a long-term infestation. A squirrel removal company, like Ridall Pest Control, can sanitize affected areas to prevent disease transmission.

Chewed Wires, Wood, & Insulation

Squirrels gnaw constantly to wear down their teeth. Look for:

Chewed electrical wires, which create fire hazards
Shredded insulation used for nesting
Damaged wooden beams, plastic, or pipes

If you see chew marks, a squirrel exterminator should inspect your home or business before the damage worsens.

Visible Nests & Entry Holes

Check your roofline, soffits, and vents for holes or shredded materials where squirrels have chewed their way in. You may also notice:

Leafy nests in trees close to your home
Droppings or nesting debris near entry points
Torn-up insulation or shredded cardboard inside garages

Increased Squirrel Activity Near Your Property

Seeing more squirrels running along your roof or climbing your walls? Hearing fights or loud chatter? It is clear from these indicators that squirrels have taken up residence and are forming a space.

If you recognize any of these signs, don’t wait—trust Ridall Pest Control as your professional squirrel exterminator company, which provides safe, effective squirrel removal before they cause further damage.

Feeding Habits of Squirrels

Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they consume both plant and animal matter. Because of their versatility, they may survive in a wide range of environments, including urban backyards, attics, parks, and forests.

What Do Squirrels Eat?

Squirrels primarily feed on:
– Nuts & Seeds – Acorns, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, and bird seed.

– Fruits & Vegetables – Apples, berries, corn, and tomatoes.
– Insects & Small Animals – Beetles, caterpillars, bird eggs, and even small rodents.
– Human Food Waste – Bread, chips, and pet food left outdoors.

Squirrel Feeding Behaviour

– Food Hoarding: Squirrels bury nuts and seeds in various locations to store food for winter.

– Raiding Bird Feeders: They frequently cause damage to bird feeders while stealing food from them.

– Chewing on Wires & Wood: They instinctively gnaw on objects to keep their teeth from overgrowing.

If squirrels have access to easily available food sources, their populations can rapidly increase near your property. Because of this, squirrel removal services are crucial for preventing pests in the long run.

Potential Dangers of Squirrels

Squirrels may look cute, but their presence in homes, businesses, and commercial properties can lead to severe health and structural risks.

Property Damage

Squirrels have strong teeth that can chew through almost anything, including:

Electrical Wiring – Leading to fire hazards and short circuits.
Roofing & Soffits – They chew entry holes into attics, vents, and chimneys.
Insulation & Storage Areas – They tear up insulation for nesting, reducing energy efficiency.

Squirrels nesting in commercial buildings may damage inventory, HVAC systems, and warehouse structures, requiring expensive repairs. Professional Ridall Pest Control company can assess the situation and implement targeted control strategies.

Health Risks & Disease Transmission

Squirrels carry parasites, bacteria, and viruses that pose health risks to humans and pets.

Salmonella & Leptospirosis – Spread through squirrel droppings and urine.
Ticks, Fleas & Mites – Infestations can spread to pets and humans.
Respiratory Issues – Dried squirrel droppings release airborne fungal spores, leading to lung infections.

Businesses dealing with food, healthcare, or hospitality must eliminate squirrel infestations immediately to prevent contamination.

Aggressive Behavior & Bites

Squirrels become territorial when nesting inside a property. If cornered, they can:

Scratch & Bite Humans or Pets – Leading to infections.
Attack in Defense of Their Nest – Particularly dangerous during baby season.

If you suspect squirrels near me, contact us for safe and humane removal.

Squirrel Removal Process: How to Get Rid of Squirrels

Because squirrels are agile climbers and persistent nesters, removing them requires a strategic approach. A qualified squirrel exterminator can efficiently remove infestations and prevent re-entry, while not harming any of the squirrels that are taking residence on your property.

Inspection & Identifying Entry Points

Squirrel exterminator services will inspect your attic, crawl spaces, vents, and roofline for:

Entry holes and damage.
Droppings, chewed debris, and nesting indicators.
Food sources attract squirrels.

Humane Squirrel Removal Methods

Live Trapping – Professionals use baited traps to capture squirrels and relocate them.

One-Way Exclusion Doors – Allows squirrels to leave but prevents re-entry.

Nest Removal – Ensures that baby squirrels are safely relocated with the mother.

DIY squirrel removal is not recommended, as handling wildlife without proper training can be dangerous and illegal in some areas. Hiring Ridall Pest Control, a squirrel removal company, guarantees a safe and legal solution.

Exclusion & Prevention Strategies

Once removed, professionals seal off access points to prevent reinfestation:

Sealing Holes & Gaps – Using galvanized hardware cloth and stainless-steel fasteners.
Trimming Tree Branches – To prevent squirrels from jumping onto rooftops, we recommend trimming back any branches that provide a runway for squirrels to enter into your soffits, allowing them to eventually enter your attic.
Installing Chimney Caps & Vent Covers – Blocking common squirrel entry points.

Property Sanitation & Cleanup

Squirrels leave behind droppings, urine, and nesting debris that require professional cleaning. Ridall, a squirrel exterminator company can:

Remove all contaminants.
Disinfect affected areas.
Deodorize and repair damage
Replace any insulation with new, higher R-value insulation

Why Choose Squirrel Removal Services?

Squirrels may appear harmless, but when they enter homes or businesses, they may cause major damage and represent a health risk. Ridall Pest Control, a professional squirrel removal company, offers safe, humane, and effective alternatives for eradicating infestations and avoiding future issues.

Why Choose a Professional Squirrel Exterminator?

Legal & Humane Methods – Many regions have laws protecting squirrels, and in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley regions, we are governed under the BC Wildlife Act. A licensed squirrel exterminator company ensures ethical and lawful removal.

Effective Techniques – DIY traps and deterrents often fail, leading to recurring infestations. Ridall uses advanced exclusion methods to keep your property squirrel-free.

Comprehensive Solutions – A squirrel removal company doesn’t just remove squirrels; it also identifies entry points, seals them off, and provides ongoing prevention.

Health & Safety – Squirrels carry diseases, and their droppings can spread bacteria and parasites. Professional services handle cleanup and sanitation to protect your health.

Cost-Effective Results – Ignoring a squirrel infestation can lead to chewed wires, attic damage, and fire hazards. Hiring Ridall Pest Control prevents expensive repairs down the line

Need Expert Squirrel Removal? Contact Ridall Pest Control Today!

If you’ve noticed squirrels in your attic, garage, or commercial space, don’t wait until they cause serious damage. Professional removal ensures a fast, humane, and effective solution.

Call Ridall Pest Control at 604-580-2847