UBCNews - Business - Is Professional Squirrel Removal Worth It? Experts Discuss Wildlife Control

Episode Date: February 25, 2026

So, you know those cute squirrels in your yard? Well, they're not so adorable when they're tearing up your attic. Today we're looking at how professional wildlife control services handle squirrel removal and exclusion the right way. Welcome back, everyone! Connor's Pest Pros City: Springfield Address: 5410 Port Royal Rd Website: https://connorspestpros.com/contact/

So you know those cute squirrels in your yard? Well, they're not so adorable when they're tearing up your attic. Today we're looking at how professional wildlife control services handle squirrel removal and exclusion the right way. Welcome back, everyone. Thanks for having me. And yeah, squirrels can go from charming to destructive, incredibly fast. I remember one homeowner told me they heard scratching sounds for weeks before calling us.

By then, the squirrels had already chewed through electrical wiring. That's terrifying, actually. I mean, we're talking about fire hazards here, right? Absolutely. Squirrels have this natural instinct to gnaw constantly to keep their teeth from overgrowing, so they chew on wires, woodwork, insulation, anything they can find. In fact, rodents, including squirrels, are estimated to be responsible for approximately 15,000 to 30,000 house fires annually in the United States, often falling into the category of fires of unknown cause. 30,000? That's... Wow. I had no idea the risk was that significant.

Yeah, rodents actually cause 20 to 25% of fires where investigators can't pinpoint a specific cause. So to everyone listening, if you're hearing noises in your attic, this is serious business. What other damage do squirrels typically cause once they're inside? Well, they tear apart insulation to build nests, which reduces its effectiveness and drives up your energy bills.

They also contaminate everything with urine and feces, creating health risks and unpleasant odors. Plus, they can introduce parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites into your home. Mm-hmm. That makes sense. Right. And here's something many homeowners don't realize. Once squirrels create openings in your roof or siding, those entry points become highways for other pests. Rats, mice, even raccoons can follow.

So you're dealing with a cascade effect. One problem leads to another, then another. Exactly. That's why professional exclusion is so important. Removing the squirrels you can see is only part of the solution. You also need to seal every potential entry point so secondary pests can't invade later. I mean, we've seen cases where homeowners removed the squirrels themselves but left gaps unsealed, and within weeks they had mice moving in. That point about sealing entry points really sets up our next piece, the actual removal process professionals use. But first, a quick word from our sponsor. Dealing with squirrels in your attic or concerned about wildlife damage? Conner's Pest Pros is a family-owned pest control company serving Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Maryland since 1944. As a licensed

exterminator and wildlife trapper, they're members of the National Pest Management Association and Virginia Pest Management Association. They specialize in humane squirrel removal, thorough exclusion work, and preventing secondary pest invasions, all with same-day service and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Learn more at Connorspestpros.com. Picking up on sealing entry points, how do professionals ensure complete exclusion once the squirrels are removed? Great question.

First, we do a thorough inspection to identify all entry points, not just the obvious one. squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Then we use live traps because state regulations prohibit any traps that cause harm or suffering to the animal. So humane removal is actually required by law? Yes. For example, in Maryland, anyone doing wildlife damage control for a fee needs a commercial wildlife damage control permit and captured squirrels must be released within the same county, at least five miles from the capture site. How long does the whole process typically take? Complete removal usually takes seven to 14 days.

Trapping itself takes three to seven days depending on how many squirrels are present. Then exclusion work, sealing all those entry points, takes one to two days. And timing matters too, right? Like there's a best season for this? Definitely, late fall and winter, November through February, are optimal. Breeding activity decreases during those months, so you're less likely to encounter baby squirrels, which complicit complicates everything and increases costs. Squirrel activity in addicts can actually increase by over

35% during winter as they seek warmth. So they're looking for shelter, but ironically, that's when it's easiest to remove them. Mother Nature has a sense of humor, I guess. Ha, yeah, exactly. Interventions during that window can reduce costs by 30 to 40% compared to spring or summer removals. Have you ever wondered what it costs to get this done professionally? I mean, what should homeowners expect to pay? Typically between $290 and $420 for standard cases, but it can range from $100 to $730,

depending on factors like home size, number of entry points, severity of the infestation, and whether there are babies involved. Does insurance cover any of this? Most homeowners' insurance covers the damage squirrel's cause, chewed wiring, contaminated insulation, structural harm, but not the removal itself. They consider removal preventative maintenance, so that's on the homeowner.

I see, go on. So basically, insurance helps with fixing the mess, but preventing future problems is your responsibility. That's why addressing it early is so valuable. You save on both removal and repair costs. That makes total sense, so we've established that professional help is really the way to go. But what can homeowners do on their end to prevent? prevent squirrels from showing up in the first place.

Prevention is huge. First, inspect your home regularly for gaps or damage along the roof line, gutters and vents. Squirrels can chew through various building materials like wooden beams and shingles to create entry points. So regular maintenance is key. Right. Also, trim tree branches that hang over your roof. Squirrels use them as bridges. Keep at least six to eight feet of clearance between branches in your home. What about food sources?

Should homeowners worry about bird feeders or anything like that? Yeah, bird feeders can attract squirrels. If you notice them rating your feeder, consider switching to squirrel-proof models or relocating it away from the house. And in your yard, clean up fallen fruit or nuts regularly. Those are going to draw them in two. Okay, so three main things.

Seal entry points, trim branches, and, um, manage food sources. Those sound pretty doable. They are. And honestly, a professional, inspection can catch vulnerabilities you might miss. Wildlife control pros know where squirrels typically target and conceal those spots before problems start. In other words, an expert eye spots weak points before they become expensive repairs. Really comes down to being proactive

rather than reactive, because once they're in, the damage accumulates fast. Absolutely. Squirrels can strip protective wire insulation within a single day. The sooner you address the problem, the less expensive and complicated it becomes. Well, this has been eye-opening. I think a lot of listeners are going to take squirrel prevention a lot more seriously now. Thanks so much for breaking it all down. My pleasure. Stay safe out there.