Welcome to Urban Wildlife Control!
We are a nuisance animal removal and squirrel pest control company dedicated to serving the greater Atlanta area. One of the most common situations we deal with, inside Atlanta homes, is grey squirrel control and flying squirrel control in attics.
Listed below are some of the most commonly asked questions about squirrel habits. If you are an Atlanta area resident and have a squirrel pest control problem feel free to contact us for a free phone estimate for our squirrel control service.
What exactly is a squirrel?
Squirrels are members of the Sciuridae family, which also includes marmots. Species in this family have four fingers on their front feet and five fingers on their hind feet. They have relatively large ears and thick body fur. Their bodies are slender and tails are furry. Some species are arboreal (flying squirrels), they live in trees and your attic, while others are ground-dwelling (chipmunks) and dig burrows or live in crawl spaces.
Six species of squirrels occur in Georgia , including the Southern flying squirrel, the chipmunk, the groundhog and 3 species of tree squirrels, including the Eastern Gray Squirrel. If you are not sure what type of rodent you have go to our Rodent Control Service FAQ’s page for more information.
What types of damage do squirrels cause in an attic?
Squirrel pest create many problems for georgian’s, the possibility that they will chew electrical wires creating the potential for a structure fire is one. Chewing fascia boards and shingles, creating leaking roofs, is another issue.
Other damage includes: Insulation and HVAC damage thereby decreasing the thermal efficiency of your home. Squirrels may cause water damage from chewing on water pipes.
Can’t my regular pest control company get rid of my squirrel problem?
Pest control companies employ poison spraying techniques for insects and small invertebrates such as cockroaches and termites. They do not deal with larger animals, like mammals and reptiles. Using poison to kill a squirrel is against the law in Georgia,
The only legal method to control squirrel damage is to catch the squirrels in a cage or trap and take them away from the building oir capture site. Georgia pest control license does not cover wildlife control. This service requires a nuisance wildlife control permit and a trapping license. Any professional that does not have a wildlife control permit is violating the law.
I am hearing noises. How can I tell if it is, in fact, squirrels?
Gray squirrels are diurnal . So if you are hearing chewing and shuffling in the attic, during the daytime, chances are you need Gray squirrel removal. Noises at night may indicate the need for flying squirrel control, rat removal, raccoon removal, raccoon trapping or another wildlife control solution. Squirrel pest control is one of the most common services homeowners may require.
Can Squirrels get into my chimney?
Yes. In fact, it is a very common for squirrels to fall down uncapped chimneys. A simple solution may be to install a chimney cap or screen the outer fire wall. Also, squirrels sometimes nest in chimneys.
Can Chipmunks get into my attic?
Although it is possible, it is extremely rare for chipmunks to nest or live in attics. Chipmunks are ground squirrels, they live in burrows and on occasion may take up residence in a crawl space.
How many squirrels can possibly be nesting in my attic?
Gray squirrels are territorial; typically, only one family will live in an attic at any one time. Flying squirrels, on the other hand, are colonizing rodents and the number of flying squirrels in an attic can be in the double digits.
I live in the greater Atlanta area, how can Urban Wildlife Control help me with squirrel pest control?
Urban Wildlife Control uses an effective, 4 step squirrel pest control process to rid your home or office of unwanted squirrels.
Inspection
Urban Wildlife Control will first inspect the roof line and attic looking at damage, droppings, and nesting sites to determine the problem animal is indeed pest squirrels (and not rat, raccoon or opossum). Urban Wildlife Control will then determine how the animals are gaining access to the building. Once we locate point(s) of entry we will also locate future vulnerable areas that may need to be reinforced.
Trapping
Squirrel trapping takes place on the roof of the building or in the attic. In most cases, the squirrels are safely trapped alive and relocated at least 10 miles away from the property to ensure they will not return, ever.
Exclusion
This step involves “squirrel proofing” all the entry points after or during the capture of resident pest squirrels. This process is essential to permanently solving the squirrel pest problem. Reinforcing vulnerable areas, such as a construction gap , is another component in proper “squirrel proofing”.
Deodorizing and Disinfecting
After the pest squirrels have been trapped and the exclusion work is complete, Urban Wildlife Control offers deodorizing and decontamination as part of our squirrel control service. This service eliminates the animal odors and the bio hazardous contamination that may be present in your home.
Deodorizing and decontamination involves applying an organic enzyme and a hospital grade disinfectant. An atomizing sprayer “fogs” the area and breaks down squirrel odors created by urine and body oils.
Epoleon NnZ is a catalytic deodorizer that is nontoxic and non-hazardous. It has no fragrance. NnZ can react with squirrel odors that are embedded in attics, crawlspaces, etc. NnZ reacts with dead animal odors, skunk smell and other organic odors. It can eliminate acidic and neutral odors such as putrefied oils. NnZ contains an emulsifier for removal of the squirrels’ body oil.
BBC is a cleaner and disinfectant designed for institutional use such as hospitals and nursing homes where controlling the hazard of cross-contamination is priority one. This product is effective against staphylococcus arous, salmonella choleraeuis, an psuedomonas aeruginosa and pathogenic fungi.
This step is necessary because the bio-hazard and odor of squirrels coming from an attic is a signal to other animals that your home is a safe haven for them.
Not convinced you have a squirrel problem? Learn more about our rat removal service. Or read our FAQ’s on rodent pest control for more information on how these critters behave in your home.
