The cooler air outside in the fall signals animals such as squirrels to seek shelter in warm, protected places. Some of their favorite choices are the chimneys, eaves, attics, and gutters of houses, which means that homeowners need to take necessary precautions for keeping squirrels out during winter in Atlanta.
A female squirrel will often have two litters each year. As they multiply in number, they spread out and can get trapped in the walls where they may chew wires, causing a fire hazard, and they may die there, creating a stench. It is imperative that steps be taken to ensure they stay out in the first place.
Thoroughly assessing one's property should be the first step in determining which changes need to be made in order to sufficiently reduce appeal and access to squirrels. This includes evaluating the property itself for things such as overgrown tree limbs that serve as squirrel bridges, and the house for any open or loose spaces that may be used as points of entry. Any openings will have to checked out before sealing them to ensure no animals are inside.
It's also advisable to remove anything that may be considered a food source by a squirrel. Feeding dishes belonging to pets should only be kept indoors and likewise pets should be fed inside, as these types of food can also be attractive to wildlife. Those who are more sympathetic to squirrels can even provide them with a feeder of their very own.
Any holes found on the house should be "tested" to determine if creatures are using them by stuffing them loosely with balled-up newspapers and then watching to see if these papers have been displaced. Dark rubbings around a hole can also be signs of animal hair, further evidence it being used as an access point. Where animals are found, they will need to be trapped and removed by a professional, all other loose areas still need to be repaired.
Deterrents offer limited effectiveness but may be worth a try if used along with other tactics. These include sprays made from urine of predators, mothballs, and cayenne or hot peppers. An imitation owl or coyote decoy may be used too, but it should be moved around often or the wily squirrels will soon realize that it's not real.
Most rooftop ventilation fans are covered with weak screening that can be easily gnawed away by a resourceful squirrel, it's a good idea to replace this material with chew-proof galvanized steel hardware cloth. After checking to ensure that no creature is living in the chimney, caps can be affixed to it to prevent animals from going inside.
A female squirrel will often have two litters each year. As they multiply in number, they spread out and can get trapped in the walls where they may chew wires, causing a fire hazard, and they may die there, creating a stench. It is imperative that steps be taken to ensure they stay out in the first place.
Thoroughly assessing one's property should be the first step in determining which changes need to be made in order to sufficiently reduce appeal and access to squirrels. This includes evaluating the property itself for things such as overgrown tree limbs that serve as squirrel bridges, and the house for any open or loose spaces that may be used as points of entry. Any openings will have to checked out before sealing them to ensure no animals are inside.
It's also advisable to remove anything that may be considered a food source by a squirrel. Feeding dishes belonging to pets should only be kept indoors and likewise pets should be fed inside, as these types of food can also be attractive to wildlife. Those who are more sympathetic to squirrels can even provide them with a feeder of their very own.
Any holes found on the house should be "tested" to determine if creatures are using them by stuffing them loosely with balled-up newspapers and then watching to see if these papers have been displaced. Dark rubbings around a hole can also be signs of animal hair, further evidence it being used as an access point. Where animals are found, they will need to be trapped and removed by a professional, all other loose areas still need to be repaired.
Deterrents offer limited effectiveness but may be worth a try if used along with other tactics. These include sprays made from urine of predators, mothballs, and cayenne or hot peppers. An imitation owl or coyote decoy may be used too, but it should be moved around often or the wily squirrels will soon realize that it's not real.
Most rooftop ventilation fans are covered with weak screening that can be easily gnawed away by a resourceful squirrel, it's a good idea to replace this material with chew-proof galvanized steel hardware cloth. After checking to ensure that no creature is living in the chimney, caps can be affixed to it to prevent animals from going inside.
About the Author:
Dave L. Weglin has taught safe animal control practices for over 20 years. If you are interested in getting the Best Atlanta Pest Control Company in Decatur and Tucker, GA then he recommends you visit his friend at Crocodile Dave
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