Squirrels in the Triad
It is unlikely anyone living in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Kernersville and the surrounding areas of the greater Triad is unfamiliar with squirrels. These bushy-tailed rodents are so ever-present we are unlikely to even raise an eye at them. Other rodents, like mice and rats, cause much greater alarm.
Squirrels are expert climbers, living, and nesting mostly on trees. They can jump between limbs and trees, using their sharp claws to dig into the bark. Their diet consists mainly of tree nuts, fruits, seeds, and plants, which is convenient considering their choice of habitats. Squirrels are technically omnivores, so they will eat meat and eggs on occasion (like insects, bird eggs, and frogs), but it is a much smaller part of their diet. The overwhelming majority of squirrels in the state are gray squirrels, but fox squirrels and two varieties of flying squirrels also have a presence in North Carolina.
Problems Caused by Squirrels
The presence of squirrels on a property does not automatically make them pests. Squirrels have done a good job of adapting to human urban environments in ways that do not always get in our way. They may just make their nests in trees, gather nuts and be otherwise sticking to their own business. On occasion though, squirrels can become a nuisance.
Because they are great climbers and look for nesting places high up, squirrels do find their way into attics. Once inside, squirrels will set up nests, destroy insulation, defecate and gather food into the space. Squirrels are dirty and carry multiple diseases.
Squirrel Removal in the Triad
Home Inspection for Squirrels
Our inspector will look for signs such as chewing on, in, or around your home, small openings leading to the attic or the crawl space, droppings, and debris like nuts or nesting material. Squirrels will use eaves, soffits, vents, or chimneys to gain access to your home.
Squirrel Trapping
When performing squirrel removal, our wildlife professional will determine the most effective and humane way to remove the squirrel(s) from your property. The most common methods used are:
- squirrel trapping
- one-way doors
- direct capture
We do not directly capture adult squirrels as they move too quickly and fit in very small spaces. If juveniles are found in an attic, they will be hand removed and relocated with their mom. If the mom is not in sight and the young cannot survive on their own, our wildlife specialists will seek help from a local wildlife rehabilitation center.
Squirrel Exclusion
Home exclusion is the most effective method to prevent squirrels or nuisance wildlife from entering your home. It is essential to seal all current and potential entry points to prevent future squirrel infestations. In addition, we strongly recommend a maintenance service. Like other rodents, squirrels have front teeth that continuously grow, which means they can gnaw a new way back into your home.
Precautions like removing trees or tree branches on or close to your roof can help prevent squirrel problems in your home. We also urge you to refrain from using bird feeders as they are a huge attractant for squirrels and additional wildlife. After squirrel removal, we advise all our customers to remove food sources like accessible birdseed and acorns, if present, in order to maintain a squirrel-free home.
