The Importance Of Professional Squirrel Control
Squirrels are a common pest throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians, with an abundance of parks, greenery and luscious gardens available for them to thrive in.
While they’re cute and fluffy when seen through windows outside, squirrels become a problem pest when they gain access to the attic space or roof area of a building.
These rodent pests can cause structural damage that requires costly repairs, particularly to loft insulation, timber, pipework, treasured possessions and cabling. This can pose a significant fire hazard if they chew through live electrical wires.
Like other rodents, such as rats and mice, squirrels have teeth that never stop growing, so they chew almost constantly and can cause significant damage. They can also spread other pests, such as fleas, to pets and be a health risk thanks to bacteria in their urine and droppings.
At EES, we have the skills and knowledge to remove squirrels effectively. We can also differentiate between native red squirrels and invasive grey squirrels, ensuring that we act within the law.
As leading providers of Edinburgh pest control, we’re here to help get rid of your unwanted guests, so call us on 0131 560 6441 to make your home pest-free.
Highly-Rated Squirrel Removal In Edinburgh
Signs Of A Squirrel Infestation
Squirrels are relatively large rodents with a distinctive bushy tail, so if you see them, you’ll know what pest problem you’re dealing with. However, because squirrels like to hide and be up high, they often shelter in roof spaces, attics or even cavity walls, and you may not physically see them. As such, you might confuse the scratching sounds and chew marks for rats. Some clear signs of squirrel activity in your property include:
- Thumping Or Scratching Noises: Squirrels are large rodents, and often scratch or move around loudly, usually at night.
- Chew Marks: Like all rodents, squirrels have incisors that never stop growing, so they need to chew all the time. Look out for gnaw marks on hard surfaces such as wooden beams, walls, doors and others throughout your home. Squirrels also have sharp claws that can be used to strip bark from tree branches, so watch out for deep gouges as well.
- Torn Loft Insulation: Squirrels often use loft insulation to build nests, so look out for torn or shredded loft insulation scattered around your property, particularly near your loft, as well as further damage such as ripped wood.
- Squirrel Droppings: Droppings are a clear indicator of a pest problem. Squirrel droppings look like irregular-shaped brown boulders, with blunt edges. They sometimes contain undigested food, such as seeds or nuts.
- Bad Smells: Unpleasant odours that won’t go away with cleaning could be a sign of squirrels on your property. Both droppings and urine can cause a smell, and can become significant hygiene issues that attract more squirrels.
If you notice any of these signs of squirrels, you need to act fast. Even if your not sure what species of rodent you’re dealing with, our professional pest control experts can identify the pest species and find the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation, so contact us today.
How EES Safely Removes Squirrels From Properties Across Edinburgh
When planning squirrel pest control, it’s important to remember that there are 2 squirrel species found in the UK. Native red squirrels are an important part of the ecosystem and rarely find their way inside homes. Grey squirrels were bought over from America in 1876 to populate the grounds of stately homes.
Today, they’re an invasive species that harms native wildlife. As such, while red squirrels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, grey squirrels are not.
As an invasive alien species in the UK, grey squirrels cannot be released into the wild or kept in captivity unless you have a license. The only option is to humanely dispatch them, to protect other species and the native habitat.
Still, it’s crucial that grey squirrels don’t face unnecessary suffering, and that they are dispatched quickly and humanely. This can only be carried out by experts like the team at EES.
Our pest controllers are all RSPH Level 2 certified, with access to squirrel control products that aren’t available to the general public. Once they have removed the squirrels, they can seal entry points and remove debris to prevent future infestations from this invasive, non-native species. For expert squirrel control across Edinburgh and the surrounding area, call 0131 560 6441.
