Squirrel Invades Home and Causes $15,000 in damages

 

Imagine leaving your home for a few days during the holidays and coming back to find your home in shambles, all caused by one little squirrel! In a recent story released by NBC News, The Drees family were shocked to find their home destroyed by the squirrel and the insurance company denying their claim. 

Damages included:

• baseboards and window frames chewed up
• floors covered in scratches
• kitchen sink water running
• brand new sofa turned into a nest
• squirrel feces

Read more about this story here. Below are some tips on how to prevent rodents from entering your home

Seal Up!

Seal up holes inside and outside the home to prevent entry by rodents

Mice can squeeze through a hole the size of a dime, and rats can squeeze through a hole the size of half a quarter! Prevent rodents from entering the home by checking inside and outside the house for gaps or holes

Where to look for gaps or holes inside your home

• Inside, under, and behind kitchen cabinets, refrigerators and stoves.
• Around the fireplace
• Around doors
• Around the pipes under sinks and washing machines
• Around the pipes going to hot water heaters and furnaces
• Around floor vents and dryer vents

Where to look for gaps or holes outside your home

• In the roof among the rafters, gables, and eaves
• Around doors
• Around the foundation
• Attic vents and crawl space vents
• Under doors
• Around holes for electrical, plumbing, cable, and gas lines.

Clean Up!

Clean up rodent food sources and nesting sites

Eliminate possible rodent food sources

• Keep food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids
• Clean up spilled food right away and wash dishes and cooking utensils soon after use
• Keep outside cooking areas and grills clean
• Always put pet food away after use and do not leave pet-food or water bowls out overnight
• Keep outside cooking areas and grills clean
• Keep bird feeders away from the house and utilize squirrel guards to limit access to the feeder by squirrels and other rodents.
• Keep pet food in thick plastic or metal containers with tight lids. In the evening, uneaten pet food should be returned to containers with lids.
• Eliminate possible nesting sites outside the home. Elevate woodpiles, and garbage cans at least 1 foot off the ground if possible. Move woodpiles far away from the house (100 feet or more is best). Get rid of old trucks, cars, and old tires that mice and rats could use as homes. Keep grass cut short and shrubbery within 100 feet of the home well-trimmed.

 

CALL A PROFESSIONAL

If you are unsure of the effectiveness of your pest prevention and management reach out to your partners at Aantex.  Our highly trained and knowledgeable pest control technicians can come and assess your any problem and determine the best strategies to eliminate your pest problem and protect your home from future infestations