Have you ever watched a pair of squirrels running and playing together? It is quite enjoyable to watch. What isn't pleasant to watch is these pests digging holes throughout yards, tearing up gardens, and generally causing trouble around your property. If you have never taken a moment to consider the many problems these bushy-tailed pests cause, here are a few things you should know about squirrels here in Ventura.
What You Need To Know About Squirrels
Squirrels are large rodents that frequently build nests and hide food around area properties. This bushy-tailed pest has a blunt nose, white, grey, yellow, red, or brown fur, and whiskers on either side of its face. Squirrels are known for their agility and quick speeds, and you'll often see them climbing trees, collecting nuts, and interacting with one another, usually in a playful way.
Do Squirrels invade homes?
The squirrel is not as common a house pest as are mice or rats, but they will come inside from time to time. Squirrels are most likely to invade homes during the colder months of the year or during times of inclement weather. In order to get inside, these pests climb the exterior of homes or use tree branches or connected utility lines to find their way to higher up entry points. If you have a habit of leaving windows open or your home's exterior has rodent-sized damage to its shingles, siding, roofline, chimney, etc., squirrels will be much more likely to get inside if necessity requires them to.
Are squirrels dangerous?
Rodents, in general, are dangerous; squirrels are no exception. These usually dirty pests carry many diseases that they spread through their bites, fecal matter, and urine. Some of the most common diseases these pests spread around area homes include salmonellosis, leptospirosis, tularemia, and rabies.
In addition to spreading diseases, squirrels also transport fleas and ticks on their bodies. If these small parasitic pests get to your home, they'll likely infest your pets or, worse, your home itself. If you didn't know, fleas and ticks are also vectors for diseases, the worst of which include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and murine typhus.
Some Practical Prevention Tips For Squirrels
There are two levels to controlling squirrels; deterring them from your property and preventing them from getting into your home. To do these things effectively around your Ventura home, here are a few great places to start:
- Invest in tight-fitting lids for your trash cans.
- Do not feed them on or anywhere near your property.
- Remove fallen fruits, berries, and nuts from your lawn.
- Keep your grass well-trimmed and your landscaping well-maintained.
- Use caulk and some steel wool to fill in gaps and cracks in your exterior foundation.
- Repair damage to your home's siding, shingles, and roofline.
- Keep unscreened windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- Reduce clutter around your home and organize storage areas.
- Install a fence around your yard and garden.
A Better Solution To Squirrels
Whether you are looking for a long-term solution for squirrels or seeking a way to get these pests off your property fast, we have your answer here at Ventura Pest Control. We understand how dangerous and destructive these invasive pests are and work hard to provide the absolute best treatment options to handle whatever pest problems you are up against effectively.
Don't wait to find an answer to troublesome squirrels. Call our team today to find out more about our comprehensive pest control plans and find an option that will keep squirrels off your Ventura property. Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control solutions.
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