Squirrels don’t hibernate in the winter, but they still need a warm, safe place to sleep. And when it’s severely cold out, they’ll stay in their cozy den for days at a time, only venturing out midday when temperatures are warmest. If you’ve heard any scurrying or squeaking coming from your attic or walls, that cozy den just might be your home. If you’re in the Minneapolis area and you think you might have squirrels living in your walls or attic, call Minnesota Wildlife Management for a site evaluation.
Winter Food Stash
Food is scarce for squirrels in the winter, so they prepare by burying stashes of nuts and eating large amounts. In just a week, a squirrel can eat its own body weight in food. These reserves will help get them through the harshest winter conditions. Squirrels stash nuts in various locations, and sometimes even forget where they buried them. Some of these forgotten seeds will germinate and grow into trees and shrubs. But squirrels can also use their strong sense of smell to detect their rations through a foot of snow.
Squirrels Inside Your Home
Squirrels are clever and can gain entry to your home in several ways. Uncapped chimneys are an easy ingress. They are also capable of chewing holes under eaves and through soffits. When a tree limb overlaps a roof, it’s the perfect bridge from a tree to your home. Any small, existing opening into your abode can mean a new squirrel roommate for the winter.
Squirrel Destruction
Once in, squirrels damage your home insulation by moving it around and tearing it up to make nests. They chew through electrical wiring, creating fire hazards and costly repairs. Squirrels also urinate and defecate everywhere, soiling insulation and wood. Their waste creates health risks for humans and pets.
Health Risks
In addition to damage, squirrels present several health risks to humans. Some of the common diseases found to be transmitted by squirrels include salmonellosis, leptospirosis, flea infestations, and tick-borne illnesses.
Invest in squirrel removal and prevention services that will keep your home safe from squirrel damage or nesting. At Minnesota Wild Animal Management, we truly believe that there is no better partner for you than our experienced and affordable prevention team. To learn more about proven squirrel prevention services, give the crew a call today at (612) 237-8282. All you need to do is make the call, and we’ll handle the rest!
