Although squirrels might not carry as much stigma as other rodents like mice and rats, these little animals can still be a serious nuisance for your property. Like many other creatures, their presence could lead to expensive damage around the home, and squirrels have been linked with dangerous diseases as well. There are nearly two dozen species of squirrels that live in Canada and the northern U.S., including grey squirrels, chipmunks, ground squirrels and flying squirrels.
There's a long list of issues associated with this diverse group of rodents. Here are some of the most serious threats squirrels pose to your property:
Damage to the home
Squirrel problems can be traced to their rodent anatomy.
First, rodents are small animals that can fall prey to animals like snakes, hawks, coyotes and others. For that reason, a safe place to sleep and raise young is particularly important for squirrels, and they may find that your garage, attic or even inside your home is an appropriate haven from predators. Pennsylvania State University stated that chewed holes along your gutters or trim may come from a clever squirrel trying to find its way indoors. Likewise, these animals may widen an existing hole in an attempt to escape from predators and enjoy the warmth of your home.
Second, rodents must continually gnaw on hard surfaces throughout their lives to stop their trademark front teeth from getting too long. Damage to wires, woodwork and other structural parts of your home could be from a squirrel that has made its home on your property. Scampering feet in your walls or ceiling is a disgusting occurrence but the risk of real destruction is even worse.
Problems around the yard
Even if your home has yet to be invaded by a pesky squirrel, there are problems that can occur all over your yard. It's well known that squirrels will bury acorns and other nuts in anticipation of leaner times, which can lead to divots and holes in your grass. To make matters worse, the National Wildlife Federation reported that squirrels may actually dig more holes than needed. If one of these rodents thinks it's being watched by an opportunistic adversary, it will pretend to bury a nut in one place before actually hiding it elsewhere. For that reason, a single squirrel can cause an impressive amount of damage to your lawn.
Beyond nuts, squirrels will also be happy to investigate a garden and munch on berries and other edibles. And in the winter, some individuals may even eat the bark off of a tree, potentially killing saplings in the process.
Issues with the car
Larger trees will likely survive any damage caused by squirrels and instead they offer a place for these animals to hide from predators. If your car sits beneath a tree - even one that doesn't bear acorns or other nuts - a pesky squirrel could still drop its meal onto your vehicle and create dents.
To make matters worse, many homeowners have found that squirrels have either chewed through wires on the underside of their car or otherwise colonized the vehicle altogether. This can be a very dangerous situation.
Tularemia
Squirrels can transmit bacteria that cause illness, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that tularemia, a form of bacterial infection, can come from contact with animals such as rodents and rabbits.
Many areas have local laws against the trapping or removal of squirrels, despite the risks they pose to your property. If you're dealing with these rodents, call a pest removal specialist right away for a safe and effective solution.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
