If you have an unwanted squirrel trapped or trying to make its own home within your home, squirrel removal is a necessity.
While there is a lot of urban legends and common knowledge that’s spread around regarding the dangers posed by squirrels, they threats they pose may be different than you think. Regardless, if you have an unwanted squirrel trapped or trying to make its own home within your home, squirrel removal is a necessity. It is however important to do this humanely, as the squirrel is most likely trapped and confused and means you absolutely no harm. To learn more about the threats posed by these critters and the experts that can help you with squirrel removal, read on.
Why Spring Is a Common Time for Squirrels in the Attic
Spring is one of the most active times of year for squirrel activity around homes in Maryland. During this season, squirrels may look for protected nesting areas, and attics can offer warmth, shelter, and space away from predators. If you are hearing scratching, running, or light chewing sounds during the morning or late afternoon, it may be a sign that squirrels are using your attic or roofline as part of their nesting area.
Signs You May Have Squirrels in Your Attic
- Scratching, scampering, or chewing noises in the morning or late afternoon
- Sounds coming from the attic, soffits, walls, or near the roofline
- Chewed fascia, soffits, roof vents, or gaps near gutters
- Droppings or urine odor in the attic
- Disturbed insulation or nesting material
- Squirrels repeatedly running across the roof or entering the same spot
Do Squirrels Pose Health Risks To Humans?
Contrary to a lot of the rumors spread about rabies and bites and other such things, live squirrels generally do not pose much of a threat to humans. The idea that humans can catch rabies from squirrels is not actually backed up by scientific evidence, despite the anecdotal tales. It is actually their droppings which pose the most danger to humans. Squirrels, like other rodents, take a spray approach to releasing their bowels, which means that they cover large areas with feces and urine and these are unsanitary and can make someone sick easily. The ticks and fleas they carry can also often lead to infestations, especially if you have a household pet. This means that specific steps need to be taken after squirrel removal to ensure your home is clean.
The Dangers Posed By Squirrel Dung
Squirrel droppings can cause both Leptospirosis and salmonella in humans. Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which takes the form of a mild flu in its less severe stages. While this mild form of the condition is most common, it can become a life threatening illness which causes organ failure and internal bleeding. Most cases can be treated with antibiotics, but more severe cases require hospitalization. Salmonella, which is typically associated with food poisoning, can also result from exposure to squirrel dung. While this is generally not a life threatening condition, it can be for the very old, very young, or immunocompromised.
Why Professional Squirrel Removal Matters
Why Spring Is a Common Time for Squirrels in the Attic
Squirrel removal isn’t just limited to getting the animal out of the attic. A complete squirrel removal service should also identify how the animal entered, check whether nesting material or young squirrels are present, and close the opening once the animals have been safely removed.
Squirrels can chew through weak spots along the roofline, soffits, fascia boards, vents, and gaps near gutters. If the entry point is not repaired, another squirrel may use the same opening later. That is why professional squirrel removal should include both removal and exclusion.
Shumaker’s Animal Control can inspect the attic and exterior of the home, remove the squirrels humanely, seal accessible entry points, and recommend cleanup when droppings, urine, nesting material, or damaged insulation are found.
Our Squirrel Removal Process
- Inspect the attic, roofline, vents, soffits, and visible entry points
- Determine whether squirrels are actively using the space
- Check for signs of nesting, droppings, urine, and insulation damage
- Remove the squirrels using a humane approach
- Seal entry points where appropriate
- Recommend cleanup or sanitation when attic contamination is present
- Review prevention steps to help reduce future squirrel activity
Get In Touch With Shumaker’s Animal Control Today
Shumaker’s Animal Control is a twenty-five-year veteran of the animal and pest control profession. We are the Kingsville rodent control experts and can help you return your house to a cozy pest-free home. If you have any questions about mouse removal or other rodent control, contact Shumaker’s Animal Control by calling (443) 854-8072 or click here today!
You can also follow us on our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
