Animal in Attic Removal
Hearing strange noises in the attic? Finding droppings in insulation? Mysterious odours?
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Attics provide many of the animals that live among us with ready-made shelter that meets all their basic needs: safety for raising their young, protection from the weather, and easy access to food and water.
Squirrels need only a small entry point, making even well-maintained homes a target.
Why Humane Removal Matters
We believe in solving wildlife problems ethically, respectfully, and humanely.
- We follow local Toronto and Ontario regulations.
- Our methods are low risk for people, pets, and the environment.
- Humane treatment not only includes the methods we use but also the skills we train.
Our Humane 4-Step Process
Every step is designed to protect both your home, your family, and the animals.,
Did you know?
The black squirrels seen all over Toronto are not a separate species. They are Eastern Gray Squirrels with a genetic trait that makes their fur black. Researchers believe black coloration may provide a thermal advantage by absorbing more heat during cold Canadian winters, which could help explain their success in southern Ontario.
Moved to a new home last fall, only to discover a squirrel managed to chew through the fascia and getting cozy in the attic. And a persistent raccoon camping on the roof! It’s Toronto, what can you do!?
Called Critter Control and they were able to send a consultant right away and the techs came pretty much the next day.
Tosh and his fellow techs were amazing. Repaired and reinforced the deficiencies, and identified weak spots and patched them up too. We especially appreciated the timeliness, professionalism and effectiveness of their work. Thank you!
Dangers of Squirrels in the Attic
Once inside your attic, squirrels are incredibly destructive. They will drag in leaves and twigs for building their nest and will add to it by tearing insulation and cardboard boxes.
But their real destruction is made by their constant gnawing. Like other rodents, squirrels gnaw to contain their ever-growing incisors. They will gnaw on rafters, drywall, and even pipes and electrical wires, creating a fire hazard and compromising the structural integrity of the home. Their feces and urine will contaminate insulation, rot wood, and create a terrible ammonia smell that will seep into your living area.
Squirrels bring health hazards into your home as well. Leptospirosis and salmonellosis are two of the diseases they can carry. And, the fleas, ticks, and mites they carry can spread into living spaces, affecting people and pets. Having squirrels long-term in your attic can also aggravate asthma or allergies.
- Fire Hazards: Squirrels can gnaw on electrical wires, creating a fire hazard in your home.
- Health Risks: Squirrels can carry diseases and bring parasites into your home. All can bring ticks, lice, mites, and fleas into your home. The build-up of feces, urine, and dust can trigger allergies and asthma.
- Feces & Urine: Squirrel droppings can destroy the insulation and cause infections to you, your family, and pets.
- Property Damage: Squirrels create a tremendous amount of structural damage in homes each year as they gnaw on beams, rafters, and walls. Insulation contamination is common. And they will also ruin belongings they deem cozy for building their nest.
Signs of Squirrels in the Attic
When squirrels have nested in your attic, there are very definite signs you will experience if you know what to look and listen for:
- Scurrying and scratching noises in the early morning and evening. Unlike mice and rats, which are nocturnal rodents, squirrels are most active early in the morning.
- Nesting materials, such as piles of leaves, twigs, or torn-up attic insulation used to build nests, are often tucked away in corners.
- Squirrels leave droppings similar to those of rats, but larger. Squirrel droppings are a bit rounder and will be found in piles.
- A strong odor of urine will accumulate in the attic, and the smell of ammonia will seep into your living area.
- Like rats or mice, squirrels gnaw through electrical wires, which can cause fire hazards, as well as wood beams and roofline parts of the house, such as soffits or fascia.
- Seeing squirrels regularly on your rooftop or entering the same hole near the roofline.
- An accumulation of nuts, acorns, and shells in the attic.
Why Are Squirrels in the Attic?
Squirrels want to live in your home for the same reason you do: warmth, safety, and shelter. In your attic, they are out of the rain and cold and have found a quiet, undisturbed place to build a nest and raise their young, where they are safe from predators.
While living in your attic, squirrels will go in and out, foraging for food and bringing back food for their babies. This is unlike mice or rats, which use your pantry and cabinets as a foraging place.
- Temperature Control: Compared to outside temperatures, attics are warmer in winter and cooler in summer. And, it’s protected from wind, rain, and snow.
- Safe From Predators: Attics are enclosed areas and out of reach from natural predators. In addition, undisturbed areas, such as an attic, help animals feel like no harm will come to them.
- Easy Access: Small gaps in soffits or uncapped vents and chimneys make it easy for animals to come and go.
- Food and Water: Homeowner pantries, outdoor trash, gardens, and pet food give animals confidence that access to food will be relatively easy.
All of these benefits make attics a perfect choice for building a den or nest to raise their young.
Why Choose Critter Control Canada for Squirrel in Attic Removal
Protect your home from pests and wildlife with Critter Control Canada.
Serving the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton
Critter Control Canada proudly serves homes and businesses across the Toronto Metro Region, including:
Benefits of Humane Squirrel Removal
Opting for humane wildlife removal methods offers numerous benefits for both animals and humans. Here are some key advantages of choosing humane wildlife removal:
- Humane methods prioritize the well-being of animals. By employing techniques that avoid harm or stress, we strive to ensure the safe removal and relocation of wildlife. This approach helps preserve the integrity of ecosystems.
- Unwanted wildlife intrusions can pose risks to human health and safety. By using humane removal methods, we minimize the chances of aggressive or defensive behaviour from animals, reducing the potential for injuries or disease transmission to humans.
- Humane wildlife removal is not just about addressing the immediate problem but also implementing preventive measures. Our team identifies and addresses the root causes of wildlife intrusions, such as access points or attractants, to minimize the chances of future encounters.
Contact Critter Control Canada Today
Working with a professional team like Critter Control Canada is crucial in situations involving unwanted wildlife intrusions. Our expertise, humane approach, and commitment to customer satisfaction distinguish us as leaders in the wildlife removal industry. By choosing our services, you can trust that your wildlife issue will be handled with the utmost care and effectiveness.
Getting rid of animals in your attic is too risky to do on one’s own. Animals can become aggressive when cornered, especially if there are babies. In addition, there is a risk of spreading parasites or contracting a disease.
