Identification
Squirrel removal may be one of the most common services a wildlife controller may perform. There are two species of squirrels in the greater Atlanta area that cause homeowners to contact a squirrel removal service. they are the Eastern gray squirrel and the Southern flying squirrel, both of which occur throughout Georgia. Learn more about flying squirrel control.
Eastern Gray Squirrel or Sciursus Carolinensis
The Eastern gray squirrel is found throughout the eastern United States. An adult gray squirrel typically weighs 1 to 2 lbs. And measures 15″ to 20″ in length. The gray squirrel’s fur is usually gray to brown in color with the under belly of white. Gray squirrels are active year-round and are arboreal, meaning that they live primarily in trees. It is common to see this squirrel outside in the daytime foraging for food. If you have a bird feeder that is an excellent place to look.
Gray squirrels breed year-round, but there are two distinct peaks, in the Spring and Fall. After a six week gestation period, two to five young squirrels are born, and raised in a nest (read: attic) for about three to five months, depending on the season.
How, When and Why Squirrel Removal May Be Needed
Gray squirrels normally become a nuisance for greater Atlanta homeowners by taking up residence in the attic. They gain access to attics in several ways, usually by chewing into the attic at the construction gap or other vulnerable areas.
Gray squirrels will live in your attic year round but are especially active fall through spring when babies are being raised. Your attic is an excellent place to raise young, it protects the baby gray squirrels from predators and the elements.
Gray squirrels are diurnal, active in the daytime, this is when you may hear them running around in your attic or on your roof. They become active just before sunrise (morning wake up calls for home owners) and leave your attic to forage for food. Throughout the day they may come and go bringing food back to your attic until sunset when they nest for the evening. Noise in the later hours maybe infrequent but not unlikely.
Damage They Cause
Squirrels are members of the rodent family. Like all rodents, to keep their teeth sharp they must chew. Squirrels will damage soffits and fascia boards by chewing and allowing water to enter into your home. One of the more dangerous habits is they will chew electrical wires. A squirrel will chew residential wiring until the copper is exposed. This destruction can be a fire hazard in the future.
It is not uncommon for squirrels to damage attic insulation by running on or using it as a toilet or nesting material.Some squirrels may also damage duct work found in the attic. Attics should be checked for damage to the insulation and HVAC system. These systems should be cleaned and replaced to prevent wasted money and natural resources heating and cooling the attic.
Atlanta, Georgia Squirrel Removal & Squirrel Control.
To get rid of gray squirrels from ones attic squirrel trapping must be the first step in the squirrel removal program. A squirrel must be trapped and relocated at least 10 miles from the home. Once all the squirrels are removed from the structure, all entry points and potential entry points must be sealed to prevent new squirrels from moving in.
Leaving any point of entry and the odors that a squirrel leaves behind is an invitation for another squirrel to move in once the previous squirrel is removed.
