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Squirrel Removal Wheaton

Squirrel Removal Illinois

Do you think you might have a squirrel problem in your Wheaton Illinois home or business? We at Animal Wildlife Trackers want to make wildlife removal easy for you. Below you will find some information to help you properly identify the common squirrels in the Chicagoland area, as well as some health or property risks commonly attributed to Squirrels.

Squirrel Identification & Physical Characteristics

Squirrels are widely known and recognized residents of Wheaton Illinois, but did you know that over 200 squirrel species are found throughout the world? There are 2 major groupings or categories of squirrels: ground squirrels and tree squirrels. (ground squirrels will be covered on our chipmunk page)

In the state of Illinois, there are 3 species of Tree Squirrels. All 3 species are small in size and are characterized by a long, bushy tail, prominent ears, and long hind feet, though each species has their own distinguished traits. Learn more about each species of squirrel found in Illinois below.

Fox Squirrel
  • Fox Squirrel
  • Eastern Gray Squirrel
  • Southern Flying Squirrel

Notable physical traits: squirrels have 4 front teeth that NEVER stop growing. This is so that they don’t wear down from their constant gnawing and eating of rough materials like nuts.

Squirrel Habitats and Lifestyle

All 3 of the tree squirrels in Northern Illinois are commonly seen in woodlands, parks, and residential neighborhoods. As the name tree squirrel would suggest, they are terrific climbers. Each species can have up to 2 breeding seasons a year – one in the early spring, and one in the late summer.

Lifespans are generally short in the wild. Most squirrels only live two to four years though that can greatly depend on predators and food availability.

Most squirrels spend time on the ground in search of food such as nuts, plants, berries, and flowers. They also can eat insects and animals like, eggs, or baby birds. Many tree squirrels that live in urban areas just like Wheaton and they have become talented dumpster and garbage raiders.

Squirrel Removal In Wheaton Illinois

Squirrels might seem like harmless animals, as they usually run away when you approach. However, if a squirrel sets up residence in your home you’d be surprised by the amount of damage they can produce. When squirrels gain access to your home, it is usually the result of them chewing a fist size hole in your roof, fascia, or soffit.

There are several ways for squirrels to get into your home and things you should look out for.  If you have any low hanging branches over your home, this is a great way for squirrels to jump onto your roof. Once they have access to your roof, then they can either chew a new hole somewhere or find a vent that isn’t well screened. Attic fans and roof vents are the number one way that squirrels and raccoons get into homes.

How to Know You Have A Squirrel in Your Attic

One sure-fire way to know you may have a squirrel living in your attic is the time of day that you are hearing noises. Typically squirrels are most active in your home from dawn to 10 am and again around sunset.

We recently removed a squirrel from an Wheaton Illinois home’s attic and found this MASSIVE Squirrel nest. Based on the size this nest would have taken years to build.

squirrel nest in attic
Wildlife Videos

Winter Animal Problems

Winter Animal Problems

Winter is coming to the Chicagoland area. As it does every year, it is going to drop in temperature, and snow across the land. Animals in the area are looking for places to live and hunker down during the winter months in order to escape the cold air. Here are some ways that wildlife can find ways into your home and what you should look for this time of year. If you think you are being invaded by an animal call a wildlife removal service immediately! Do not attempt to remove the animal yourself; you could be placing yourself and your family’s life in danger!

Raccoons

Raccoons are the peskiest creatures that could be affecting your home during the winter months. Raccoons will damage your roof or soffits in order to get into your attic to find shelter from the elements during the winter. While in your attic these creatures can chew through electric wires, damage insulation, destroy items stored there, and use your attic as a bathroom.

Raccoons will take advantage of any hole in order to get into your home. Even a small roof opening can give them the ability to tear a bigger hole to gain access to your attic. Raccoons can also get into your chimney. They can then find access to the main floors of your home through the open flue. If you are hearing scratching noises in your home, random rustling sounds in your attic or scuffling up your chimney call a local animal removal specialist in your area. Raccoons can be dangerous, especially a female raccoon protecting her young. Do not try to remove a raccoon by yourself!

Squirrels

Squirrels do not hibernate, so they actively seek shelter during the winter. When squirrels are jumping from tree to tree looking for acorns and other nuts, this will allow them to have access to your roof and chimney. Because of their small size, and impressive chewing skills. There a couple of things you can do during the winter that can make it harder for a squirrel to get inside your home:

  1. Identify All Problems– By sealing up all the openings you’re; preventing animals from getting inside and also potential water leaks on home.
  2. Replace Damaged and Rotten Wood – If there is any rotting or soft wood on your home, it makes it easier to get in. You can repair those areas which will make it more difficult for an animal to chew their way inside.
  3. Screen Your Vents – You can screen your chimney, bathroom fan, stove vents, peak vents, and other access vents outside with a wire mesh screen. This is one of the best ways to protect yourself from all animals invading your house this winter.
  4. Tree Trimming – Cut your tree limbs back 12 to 15 feet from the house which can prevent squirrels jumping onto your home or on your roof.

Even though Opossums are generally not a health risk, take care of these animals as soon as you can to prevent damage to your home

Opossums

Opossums can be nasty creatures, especially when they are threatened or protecting their babies. Opossums don’t have much fur, and what they do have, does not protect them well against the colder elements in Illinois. They are susceptible to frostbite on their tails, ears, and toes. This means that they need to build a den in order to brave the cold winter months. There are a few places that these dens will be located:

  • Shed and garages
  • Debris piles on your property
  • Holes dug by other animals in your lawn
  • Underneath a deck, patio, or stoop
  • Abandoned appliances and vehicles

Since opossums are nocturnal, they usually stay in their den all day. However, they are always moving around. They might have more than one den in an area. That is why sometimes it is hard to tell if an opossum is occupying a den. You might hear sounds at night, but they might go away and come back periodically depending on when the opossum moves. Do not try and remove an opossum by yourself; they can be extremely aggressive since their only two main methods of defense are showing their teeth and playing dead. Rely on an animal removal service in your area in order to ensure that you can remove the opossum safely from your home.

 

Animal Trackers Wildlife is your local animal removal specialist company started by two guys who grew up in the Northwestern Suburbs of Illinois. They have been safely removing animals from homes for over 17 years. They are always ready to help protect you and your family from invading wildlife during the winter. Call us today and let us help you now!

Wildlife Videos

Winter Animal Preperation

With Winter on the way, animals are looking for a nice warm place to wait it out. However these house guests don’t exactly play nice. Make sure that you know how to get ready for the animals that could be inside your house this winter with this helpful advice.

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