Some people love squirrels; others cannot stand them. In our experience, people who garden have the biggest problem with these bushy-tailed rodents because they dig up mulch and soil to bury their nuts. Regardless of how you feel about squirrels, we have a good argument for why you don’t want these pests near your home. Here are some of the problems squirrels cause in Long Island and how to keep them away from your home and outbuildings.
What Are Squirrels?
Squirrels are bushy-tailed, agile rodents, and there are several types of squirrels around the world. The eastern gray squirrel is the most common species here in Long Island. This rodent has gray fur and a light-colored underbelly, is 9-12 inches long, and has a 7 to 10-inch long tail. You are most likely to find squirrels dashing up or between trees, jumping from branch to branch, or hiding inside burrows. On occasion, usually during inclement or cold weather, squirrels invade area homes and outbuildings. They do this to stay safe and warm. If squirrels are nesting in your attic, the noise they make should be the least of your worries.
Is It Dangerous To Have Squirrels Hanging Around My Yard?
Of all the types of rodents that invade homes here in Long Island, squirrels are considered the least problematic. Unlike rats and mice, squirrels do not crawl through living areas, chew holes into pantries, or contaminate kitchens with their fecal droppings and urine. They mostly use interior spaces for shelter and do everything they can to avoid human interaction. With this in mind, these pests can be dangerous. Squirrels carry many harmful disease-causing parasites. Two you may have heard of include ticks and fleas. Both of these tiny blood-feeding bugs spread diseases through their bites. Fleas and ticks brought indoors by squirrels are especially harmful to unprotect indoor pets.
How Do I Prevent Squirrels From Coming To My House?
If your home does not currently have a squirrel problem, now is the time to utilize some prevention tips to keep these pests out. Here are just a few exclusion methods to try around your Long Island home to keep squirrels and other rodents at bay.
- Thoroughly inspect your home’s exterior foundation for gaps, cracks, and holes. Seal these entry points using caulk and some steel wool.
- Keep all of your windows closed or equip them with quality screens.
- Repair damage to your siding, roofline, and chimney that might allow squirrels entry inside.
- Install a rodent-proof cap on your chimney.
- Trim back bushes and branches at least five feet away from your home’s exterior.
- Check your property for holes or burrows. Fill these in as you find them.
- Install a tall fence around your yard and garden.
How Do I Get Rid Of A Squirrel Problem Around My House?
If you are dealing with squirrels or other kinds of rodents inside your Long Island home, what you need is professional home and commercial rodent control courtesy of Ultimate Pest Control. We use advanced tools, bait, and treatments to identify, remove, and prevent invasive creatures like rodents. Our team has serviced homes since 1995 and has learned lots of tips and tricks of the trade along the way. Let us put our experience to work handling your home’s rodent problems.
Contact Ultimate Pest Control today if you have any questions about our home rodent control services. We are confident that you will find our Long Island pest control options are worth the investment.
Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation quote