7 Reasons Why The Squirrel Keeps Coming Back to Your House?
If you’re asking yourself why does the squirrel keep coming back to your house, there are several reasons that may be contributing to their continued behavior. Listed below are Attractive factors, Behavior, Diseases, and Nesting Habits. Learn how to keep your home squirrel-free! Also read about how to control the population and get rid of the squirrel once and for all! If you’re wondering why the squirrel keeps coming back to your house, read on!
Table of Contents
Attractive factors
There are several things that attract squirrels to your property. You should try to avoid placing food, water, and other items in areas where you do not want them to find them. These factors may vary according to your state or county. Squirrels are natural hunters and tend to visit houses and gardens where these things are available. Squirrels will naturally keep coming back to your house if there are abundant food and water resources in your yard, freely available for them. If you want to attract squirrels to your property, consider placing bird feeders and bird baths in your yard. However, if you want to keep squirrels out of your property, you should consider using metal flashing as a sealant, as the animals can not chew through it to get back in.
Behavior
There are many reasons why squirrels are attracted to our gardens and backyards. They love the abundant food and can easily smell soy oil on wire insulation. They also like to feed in areas where there is a lot of other wildlife. If you’ve tried to trap or remove them from your yard, you’ve likely failed. You should consult with a specialist if you’re unsure of how to handle the situation.
Diseases
Squirrelpox is a viral infection that largely affects red squirrels but is also carried by grey squirrels. It is fatal to red squirrels if not treated, although grey squirrels can carry the disease. Vaccines for this disease are being developed, although it’s not known how effective they will be in the wild. Red squirrels can be infected with this disease by handling grey ones and can spread it to them. A red squirrel with this disease is highly contagious and infected with the virus has a hundred percent mortality rate. Fortunately, there are vaccines for this disease and a cure is available, but it can be difficult to treat in the wild.
Nesting habits
When the squirrels begin their nesting period, they will normally build two or three dens near a tree in a protected location. During the mating season, the female will also use one of the previous years’ nests. This way, she will have a second nest available to lay her eggs. The female will usually be the one to choose the location, but if the environment is not suitable for nesting, the male may move on to another location.
Physical removal
While the physical removal of squirrels can help prevent their return, it’s not a good idea for the babies. Not only can squirrels harm your property, they can carry various diseases that can be deadly to you and your family. These diseases are spread through their droppings, saliva, and direct scratching and bites. If you’ve already been infested with squirrels, you’re probably ready to get rid of them.
Pre-baiting
If you want to trap squirrels, one of the most effective methods is to pre-bait. It may sound strange, but bait is the key to trapping these critters. A few simple steps can prevent them from reentering your yard and causing you a lot of trouble. To begin, level the ground around the trap. Once the ground is leveled, place the bait pieces in the trap’s bait loop or passageway. Remember to check the bait pieces daily to ensure squirrels are not removing your trap.
Vinegar spray
You can repel squirrels by spraying your plants with a vinegar spray. Simply mix two parts vinegar with one part water, and spray on the plants that squirrels love to eat. You can also apply the spray to the entire plant. Make sure that the spray is not too strong, or in direct sunlight. You can also use peppermint oil to deter these pests inside the home. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to dilute the solution.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
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