Wildlife, Rodent, & Pest Control Services

Squirrels are one of the most common urban wildlife species found in Knoxville. You’ve surely seen them clambering up trees, scampering across roofs and power lines, and ransacking bird feeders around your property. Several squirrel species are found in Tennessee, including gray squirrels, red squirrels, and flying squirrels; they may vary in size and habits, but all of them can become a major nuisance if they get into your home.

Under your roof, squirrels can cause untold damage by gnawing on insulation, wiring, woodwork, ductwork, drywall, and just about anything else they can get their incisors on. Squirrels sometimes even start house fires by chewing through live wires. If you don’t want to deal with squirrel damage to your Knoxville home, follow these tips to prevent a squirrel infestation.

5 Tips to Keep Squirrels from Damaging Your Home

• Prevent Squirrel Entry

The best way to stop squirrels from damaging your home in Knoxville is to prevent them from getting inside. To do this, you’ll need to block off any possible squirrel entry points – usually, holes in the roof or siding that are large enough for a squirrel to squeeze its body through. Carefully inspect your home’s exterior for openings, paying special attention to your roof, eaves, vents, and soffits. If you find any possible squirrel entry points, use steel mesh or metal flashing to block these openings. Squirrels can chew through most materials, but they’ll have a tough time gnawing their way through metal. It’s also a good idea to install a chimney cap and place mesh covers over attic vent openings.

• Shield Your Wires

Squirrels love to chew on wires and cables, both inside and outside of your house. Use PVC piping or metal tubing to cover any cables or electrical lines that run into your home to prevent squirrels from gnawing on them and causing a power outage or – worse – a fire. For added protection against squirrels, you may want to consider installing squirrel baffles on utility poles or along cables to prevent climbing. While squirrels are crafty and may still find a way to get at your wires, these methods will at least make it more difficult for the pesky rodents.

• Use Deterrents

Many products exist that can be used to deter squirrels from your home in Knoxville. While none of these products are perfectly effective, using a combination can reduce squirrel activity on your property and reduce the risk of damage. Use anti-squirrel guards, such as spiked strips, to prevent them from damaging gutters and trying to find a way in through your roof. You may also want to apply squirrel repellents, such as capsaicin-based sprays or predator urine, around areas where squirrels are most active on your property. Another option is to install motion-activated sprinklers, lights or ultrasonic devices to scare squirrels away from your home.

• Trim Nearby Trees

When squirrels can easily get onto your roof, they’ll be encouraged to gnaw on roofing materials. Easy roof access also makes squirrels more likely to try to enter your home through holes that they discover or create. Squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers, so trim back tree branches at least 10 feet away from the roofline to make it harder for squirrels to get up there and cause trouble. Take particular care to remove overhanging branches that might serve as a bridge to your roof.

• Hire a Squirrel Exclusion Professional

If you think squirrels have found a way into your home or you have seen signs of damage on your property, then it may be time to hire a professional squirrel control company in Knoxville. Licensed and trained squirrel removal technicians can use trapping to safely remove any squirrels that have invaded your home. These professionals can also perform squirrel exclusion services, reliably sealing off all possible entry points to keep squirrels from damaging your home ever again.

 

Knoxville’s #1 Squirrel Control Company

With help from a team of professionals, you can prevent expensive squirrel damage to your home, both inside and outside. Contact Critter Wranglers today if you’re in need of the most effective squirrel exclusion and removal services in the greater Knoxville area!