Sep 5, 2025 | Florida Pest Control
Broward County’s year-round warmth and lush vegetation make it a haven for squirrels. While they can be entertaining in parks, these agile climbers are less welcome when they invade attics, damage gardens, or chew through home structures. By understanding squirrel behavior and using strategies tailored to South Florida, homeowners can protect their property while maintaining balance with the local environment.
Understanding Broward County’s Squirrel Population
South Florida is home to several squirrel species, with gray squirrels and fox squirrels most common around residential areas. They use power lines, fences, and trees as travel routes and often seek shelter in attics, sheds, or crawl spaces.
Because Broward’s climate keeps squirrels active all year, the risk of property damage, noise, and potential health concerns is ongoing. Females typically have two litters a year—late winter and mid-summer—making these peak times for activity.
Signs of Squirrel Problems in Your Home
Early detection helps prevent costly repairs. Common signs include scratching or scampering in attics, especially at dawn or dusk, chewed roof edges or soffits, damaged screens, and gnaw marks on wood or wires. Outdoors, you may notice disturbed bird feeders, dug-up flower beds, or plants stripped of fruit and vegetables.
Natural Prevention Strategies
Habitat Modification
Remove attractants that encourage squirrels to linger. Trim branches at least six feet from the roof, clear fallen fruit and nuts promptly, and relocate or squirrel-proof bird feeders.
Physical Exclusion Methods
Cover vents, chimneys, and other openings with hardware cloth or metal screening, using mesh smaller than one inch. Seal gaps with caulk, foam, or metal patches, and reinforce vulnerable roof edges with flashing.
Eco-Friendly Deterrent Solutions
Natural Repellent Applications
Sprinkle cayenne pepper or hot sauce around problem areas, or place cotton balls soaked in peppermint, eucalyptus, or citrus oil near entry points. Predator scents, like fox or coyote urine, can also discourage squirrels.
Strategic Garden Protection
Use lightweight row covers, plant squirrel-resistant flowers like marigolds and alliums, or create decoy feeding spots away from your home and garden.
Attic and Roof Protection
Inspection and Monitoring
Check attics and roofs regularly for signs of damage or nesting materials. Pay special attention after storms, which can create new entry points. Motion-activated cameras can help track activity patterns.
Professional-Grade Solutions
Install chimney caps, vent guards, and tree banding to block climbing routes. These measures reduce access without harming wildlife.
Safe and Humane Management Practices
Live Trapping Considerations
If removal is necessary, use humane live traps with appropriate bait, following Broward County regulations on relocation. Complex situations may require trained wildlife experts who understand local squirrel behavior.
Long-Term Population Management
Encourage natural predators, and coordinate with neighbors for community-wide prevention efforts. Consistent approaches reduce squirrel pressure across the area.
Maintaining Long-Term Success
Broward squirrel control works best with ongoing attention—seasonal inspections, refreshed deterrents, and regular maintenance of exclusion methods. By combining habitat changes, physical barriers, and humane deterrents, you can keep squirrels from becoming long-term houseguests while still protecting the wildlife that makes South Florida unique. For stubborn or recurring issues, experienced pest control professionals can help ensure your home stays squirrel-free. Contact pest control near you for a free quote!
Aug 23, 2024 | DIY Wildlife Prevention, Wildlife
Squirrels are a common sight in Georgia, often seen scampering through trees and parks. While they can be charming to watch, these bushy-tailed rodents can become a significant nuisance when they invade your home and yard. This blog will discuss the common types of squirrels in Georgia, the hazards they pose, and effective squirrel control methods to deter them. We will also provide tips on what to do if you find a squirrel inside your home.
Common Types of Squirrels in Georgia
Georgia is home to several species of squirrels, but the most common types that homeowners encounter are the Eastern Gray Squirrel, the Fox Squirrel, and the Southern Flying Squirrel.
- Eastern Gray Squirrel: These are the most prevalent squirrels in Georgia. They are easily recognizable by their gray fur and bushy tails. They are active during the day and are often found in both urban and rural areas.
- Fox Squirrel: Larger than the Eastern Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrels have a mix of gray, brown, and orange fur. They are less common but are known to inhabit areas with large trees and open spaces.
- Southern Flying Squirrel: These small, nocturnal squirrels are less commonly seen due to their nighttime activity. They have a unique membrane that allows them to glide between trees. Despite their name, they don’t actually fly.
Hazards Posed by Squirrels
While squirrels may seem harmless, they can cause a range of problems for homeowners:
- Structural Damage: Squirrels are notorious chewers. They can gnaw through wooden structures, insulation, and even electrical wiring, which can pose a fire hazard. They often enter homes through vulnerable spots like attics, eaves, and vents.
- Garden and Yard Damage: Squirrels love to dig, which can lead to damage in gardens and lawns. They may uproot plants and bulbs, and their constant foraging can create unsightly holes in your yard.
- Health Risks: Squirrels can carry diseases and parasites, such as fleas and ticks, which can spread to humans and pets. Additionally, their droppings can harbor harmful pathogens.
What to Do If You Find a Squirrel Inside Your Home
Discovering a squirrel inside your home can be startling. Here’s what you should do:
- Stay Calm: Squirrels are likely more scared of you than you are of them. Avoid startling the animal, as it may cause it to panic and injure itself or cause damage.
- Isolate the Squirrel: If possible, close off the room where the squirrel is located to prevent it from roaming further into your home.
- Provide an Exit: Open a window or door to allow the squirrel an easy escape route. Leave the room and give it time to find its way out.
- Call a Professional: If the squirrel doesn’t leave on its own or if it’s trapped in an inaccessible area, contact a wildlife control company for safe and humane removal.
Tips to Prevent Squirrels from Entering Your Home and Yard
Preventing a squirrel infestation is much easier than dealing with one. Here are some effective strategies for squirrel control:
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any potential entry points, such as gaps in the roof, vents, and chimneys. Use materials like metal mesh or hardware cloth to seal these openings, as squirrels can chew through softer materials.
- Trim Tree Branches: Squirrels often access roofs and attics via overhanging tree branches. Trim branches that are close to your home to prevent easy access.
- Secure Food Sources: Squirrels are attracted to easily accessible food sources. Keep bird feeders away from your home and use squirrel-proof feeders. Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving pet food outside.
- Protect Your Garden: Use fencing or netting to protect gardens and flower beds. You can also plant squirrel-repellent plants like daffodils and alliums, which squirrels tend to avoid.
- Use Squirrel Traps: If you’re dealing with a persistent squirrel problem, consider using live traps to capture and relocate them. Make sure to follow local regulations and guidelines for humane wildlife removal.
- Install Squirrel Deterrents: Devices like motion-activated sprinklers and ultrasonic repellents can help deter squirrels from your property. These tools are especially useful in gardens and yards.
- Keep Your Attic Clean: Squirrels often nest in attics. Regularly clean and declutter your attic space, and store items in sealed containers to make it less attractive to these rodents.
Why Professional Squirrel Removal is Important
While DIY methods can be effective for minor squirrel issues, professional wildlife control services are recommended for larger infestations or if the squirrels have caused significant damage. Wildlife control companies have the expertise and equipment to safely and humanely remove squirrels from your home. They can also provide advice on preventing future infestations and repair any damage caused by the animals.
If you’re facing a squirrel problem, don’t hesitate to search for “squirrel removal near me” to find a reliable wildlife control company in Georgia. Professional services ensure that the job is done thoroughly and humanely, providing peace of mind and a squirrel-free home.
Squirrels, while fascinating creatures, can become problematic when they invade our homes and yards. By understanding the common types of squirrels in Georgia and the potential hazards they pose, homeowners can take proactive steps to prevent infestations. Remember, effective squirrel pest control involves a combination of exclusion, deterrents, and, if necessary, professional wildlife removal. Keep your home safe and secure by addressing any signs of squirrel activity promptly and maintaining preventive measures year-round.
Sep 28, 2021 | Wildlife
While many of us deem squirrels as cute and cuddly, the moment they start to invade our homes, we soon lose that fondness for wanting them around. As the weather begins to cool down, these pests will look towards houses, specifically attics, to create a nest and keep warm. Once inside, squirrels can cause major damage, such as chewing on electrical wires, destroying insulation, and leaving behind their droppings and urine. Luckily, there are a few ways to deter these creatures from your house. Check out these squirrel control tips you can use at home.
Trees and limbs can give squirrels easy access to your roofline. To prevent squirrels from gaining access, make sure that your tree limbs are cut back and trimmed away from the roofline. By cutting these access points, it’s an easy way to keep them away from your attic, chimneys, and any open holes or gaps leading inside the house.
Cleaning up around your home can also help to prevent these squirrels from entering your property. Squirrels are omnivores, meaning they will eat both meat and plants, including fruits, nuts, and small insects. To prevent them from scavenging for food around your house, make sure to dispose of garbage regularly while always using a sealed container. If you have any fruit trees on your property, try to look out for any ripe fruit and dispose of or pick them promptly.
Getting rid of squirrels can be difficult, and it can often take a trained professional who has the expertise to help prevent and eliminate them. If utilizing preventative measures fails and squirrels have invaded your property, consider reaching out to your local wildlife control company where they can provide you with the most effective trapping and removal methods for these rodents.
Mar 19, 2021 | Pest Control
Squirrels are classified as rodents making them distant cousins to other more popular species like rats and mice. Like their rodent counterparts, squirrels can cause damage to your home and spread diseases to you and your family. Squirrels can access your home through small openings such as open doors and windows, down chimneys, through fireplaces, and through holes or openings in roofs or eaves. Once inside, these pests can chew through wires, siding, and insulation, causing costly damage and putting you at risk of fire. To keep these nuisance pests out, here are five ways to deal with a squirrel in your house.
Identify Where They Get In
The first step in dealing with squirrels is to figure out where they are getting into your home. Squirrels only need a small opening to squeeze through and once they are inside, getting them out can be difficult. Perform a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior of your home, checking for holes, openings, and gaps that squirrels and other pests can use to gain access.
Seal Up Entry Points
Once you’ve identified where the squirrels are getting in, seal it up to prevent them from using it again. If there is no presence of squirrels inside your home, go ahead and seal up ALL of the entry points you find. If there is a squirrel present, make sure to leave one entryway open so they have a way to get back out. Cover this last opening with a single sheet of newspaper. If it is still intact 2 to 3 days after you stop hearing the squirrel, it is safe to go ahead and seal it up. Make sure doors and windows are covered with screens and properly fit to your home. Place wire mesh over chimneys and open vents. Use caulk, steel wool, or other appropriate materials to seal any other openings you find.
Give Them A Reason to Leave
Squirrels will often not leave your home on their own, especially if they have already given birth to a litter. To avoid this, try to drive the squirrels out as soon as you notice their presence. Playing loud music or keeping the lights on are both good ways to repel squirrels. If there is a squirrel present, try to avoid the area as you can spook them, causing them to flee to another part of the house, usually causing even more damage.
Use Traps
As a last resort, you can use traps to get rid of squirrels in your home. There are several different types of traps you can use. Live capture traps are a box-type trap that allows you to capture the squirrel alive and then release it outside. These traps have to be checked frequently and some states even require permits to use them. Kill traps are also box-type traps but eliminate the squirrel quickly and safely. Body-gripping traps can be used outside known entry points to capture the squirrels as they go in and out of your home.
Prevention is Key
As with any other type of pest control, prevention is key to keeping squirrels and other nuisance pests out of your home. The first step, as mentioned above, is to seal up any entry points around your home. Trim any overhanging trees that squirrels and other pests can use to access your roof, windows, and attic. Use traps as necessary.
If you have a problem with squirrels or any other pests, contact a professional pest control company who can help identify the type of pest you are dealing with, find potential entry points, and help prevent future infestations.
You May Also Be Interested In:
Mosquito Yard Prep!
Green Mosquito Control: An Eco-Friendly Alternative
When Is Millipede Season?
Is There A Cockroach Season?
Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite!
Dec 22, 2017 | DIY, DIY Wildlife Prevention, Pest Control, Wildlife
Rodents are one of the most common pests that come into our homes in the winter. Rodents are in search of 3 things – food, water, and shelter – and they can find all 3 of them in and around our homes. Squirrels, raccoons, rats, and mice are some of the most frequently seen rodents in the colder months. Rodents can cause significant damage to property and can also be a big health risk to humans. Prevention is critical in managing and preventing an infestation of rodents. Check out these tips to keep the rodents out this winter:
- Put A Lid On Your Trash: If possible, use trashcans made of metal with snug fitting lids. If you must use plastic, make sure there are no holes in it.
- Put Up Your Pet Food: Store pet food and birdseed in glass or metal containers with tight lids. Make sure to remove them at night and store them away until morning. Make sure to pick up any fallen fruit or nuts off the ground outside your home, as well. Remove standing water from bird feeders.
- Elevate Your Compost: Raise your compost container at least 1 foot off the ground.
- Keep Your Garage Clean: Rodents like to eat lawn seed, tulip bulbs, bone meal, and other items frequently used in gardening. Make sure they are stored in glass or metal containers with tight lids. Keep firewood a good distance from the house. Organize and store boxes in the garage off the ground to eliminate nesting places.
- Clean The Kitchen: Keep food stored in tightly sealed containers. Clean up spilled food and crumbs nightly.
- Keep Your Home Maintained: Make sure openings around your home are properly sealed. Keep your gutters clear of debris and water. Screen your attic vents. Keep screens on windows and doors in good repair and replace when needed.
- Call A Pro: If you suspect you have a rodent problem, call a professional pest control company or a professional wildlife removal company who can evaluate your home and provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan.
