Squirrel Removal Services in the GTA

Squirrels are predominantly herbivores, so they like to eat lots of fruits and vegetables in their diet. If you have a vegetable garden, fruit trees or fruit bushes in your back yard, you might find that you also have a higher than normal amount of squirrels. Squirrels also eat seeds and nuts, so don’t be surprised if you see lots of nibble marks in your fruit or vegetable garden.

There are hundreds of different species of squirrels, but instead of trying to describe them all it’s easier to understand the three different types: tree squirrels, ground squirrels and flying squirrels. The most common type of squirrel that you’ll find in southern Ontario is the North American Grey Squirrel, which can be grey, black or even have a reddish tinge to their fur. There are other types of squirrels in Ontario, too, but they’re less common than the grey squirrels you’ll see in your backyard and local parks.

The North American Grey Squirrel will typically breed twice a year, giving birth to litters of kittens (that’s what baby squirrels are called!) in the spring and late summer. Each litter typically contains two to five kittens. The kittens are helpless when they are first born so the mother raises them for the first seven or eight weeks of their lives until they can start fending for themselves.

Squirrels are looking for a safe place to build a nest so they can have their babies. Many homeowners deal with squirrels chewing their way into the attic, but squirrels can also build nests in walls, garages, sheds, or under porches or patios. If there’s a small area that’s protected from the weather and predators, squirrels would be more than happy to nest there.

Prevention is the best approach when trying to keep squirrels out of your home. Like many of these types of animals, they’re looking for a nice cozy place to live and will go for the easiest option possible. So, start by keeping your home in good repair, including regular checks on your roof, gutters and eaves troughs looking for weakness points. If you do have a vegetable garden or grow fruits, try and do it as far away from your home as possible. Squirrels love the nuts and seeds in bird feeders so if you have bird feeders in your back yard then place them as far away from your house as possible.

Squirrels in an attic can make a variety of noises, including running and scampering sounds, chewing or gnawing noises, and scratching or clawing sounds. These noises may be heard at any time of day, but may be more noticeable in the early morning or evening when squirrels are most active. If you suspect that you have squirrels in your attic, you may want to try to listen for these noises to confirm their presence. You may also want to contact a wildlife removal professional to safely and effectively remove the squirrels from your attic.

Yes, squirrels can carry and transmit certain diseases. Like other wild animals, squirrels can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans through bites, scratches, or contact with infected feces or urine. Some of the diseases that squirrels may carry include leptospirosis, salmonella, and tularemia. It is important to avoid contact with squirrels and to practice good hygiene when handling garbage and other potential sources of squirrel feces to reduce the risk of infection. If you are bitten or scratched by a squirrel, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

There could be several reasons why squirrels may be on your roof. Squirrels are agile climbers and may be able to access your roof easily if there are trees or other structures nearby that they can use to climb. They may also climb onto your roof to gain access to an attic or other space where they can build a nest. Additionally, squirrels are curious animals and may climb onto your roof to explore their surroundings or to look for food. If you have squirrels on your roof, you may want to contact a wildlife removal professional to safely remove them and prevent them from returning.

Yes, squirrels can chew on electrical wires. As rodents, squirrels have constantly growing incisor teeth that they must chew to keep from getting too long. They may chew on electrical wires as a way to wear down their teeth, or they may do it accidentally while gnawing on other objects. Chewing on electrical wires can cause serious damage and may even start a fire. If you have squirrels in your home, it is important to check for damaged electrical wires and to have them repaired by a professional to prevent potential hazards.

Squirrels do not truly hibernate in the same way that some other animals do. Hibernation is a state of inactivity and reduced metabolism that some animals enter during the winter months to conserve energy. Squirrels do not enter this state of torpor, but they do tend to be less active during the winter. They may sleep for longer periods of time and may not venture out as often to forage for food. However, squirrels are not truly hibernating and can still be active on warm winter days or if they can find a source of food.

Yes, squirrels often have multiple nests. These nests, called dreys, are usually built in trees and are used for shelter and for raising young. Squirrels will often have several dreys scattered throughout their territory, and they may use different dreys at different times of the year. For example, they may have a primary drey that they use for most of the year, and then build a second drey for use during the winter months.

Squirrels make their nests by gathering materials such as leaves, twigs, and grass, and weaving them together to create a structure that provides shelter and protection. They may use their teeth and claws to break up larger sticks and branches, and they will often incorporate mud and other materials into the nest to make it more sturdy and weather-resistant. The nest is usually built in a tree, and may be located in the fork of branches, in a cavity, or on a flat platform of branches. Squirrels will often line the nest with softer materials such as moss or grass to make it more comfortable.