Commonly found in urban environments, squirrels are not afraid of people and often push the boundaries of where they belong. While squirrels in homes are a regular problem, it’s an oversight for businesses to think their building can’t get infested as well. Here are a few ways commercial businesses are vulnerable to squirrel infestations and how business owners can keep them away.
3 Common Squirrel Entry Points
Commercial buildings present unique access points for squirrels to seek out, navigate or get stuck inside to gain entry.
- Exposed openings – Just like a residential home, commercial buildings can have holes, cracks, and openings that a squirrel can dig into. Squirrels have very tough teeth and claws that can help them enlarge these openings or even create their own holes in roofs or drywall. Gutters also provide a perfect hiding and nesting place that conceals the creatures while they dig into your building.
- Unmaintained vegetation – Beautiful landscaping makes a good impression of your business. However, certain flowers with bulbs and seeds can draw the squirrels to your building and overgrown tree branches that reach your building can provide them a bridge onto your property.
- Attractive access points – Large dumpsters with leftover foods can draw squirrels to your building. They can also climb into elevator shafts, nest in the rafters, get stranded on a tall roof, or even set up shop in a below-ground parking garage, as well.
3 Ways to Reduce Your Chances of an Infestation
- Secure Your Business – Sealing holes in the summer months — when the critters are less likely to be inside — will secure the building for when the cold weather returns and squirrels begin looking for a place to nest. Securing vents with galvanized steel is recommended since steel mesh and wiring are easy to chew.
- Clean Around Your Business – Trimming long tree limbs will help keep squirrels from scurrying right into your building. And, you can prevent easy nesting by cleaning out your gutters and applying gutter guards.
- Deter Squirrels from Your Business – On the market, there are a few ways to deter squirrels from your business. You can spray chemical squirrel repellents around your property, plant non-edible flowers like marigolds, geraniums, lilies hyacinth around the perimeter of your business, or even activate motion sensor sprinklers overnight. However, such deterrents only offer temporary solutions to a recurring squirrel problem.
Permanent Solutions for Squirrel Infestations
To keep squirrels away from your place of business, you’ll need professional wildlife removal services. At Critter Control® of Orlando, our highly trained and certified technicians will quickly and safely remove any pesky critters from your property and keep them from returning.
