How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Stuff

Posted on July 28, 2022 by modernwild

Squirrels are cute, but they are not very polite when it comes to your belongings. Everything from trashcans and birdfeeders to potted plants, flowerbeds, and more are prime targets for nuisance squirrel tampering. If the squirrels around your property are getting into all your things, it is time to stop them in their tracks.

Continue below to learn some safe, easy, and humane ways to keep squirrels out of your stuff!

Squirrel Removal Control Indianapolis Indiana 317-847-6409

Squirrel Control Tips

Keeping Squirrels Out of Trashcans

Typically, raccoons and opossums are the critters that carry the reputation for pillaging trashcans and dumpsters. But surprisingly, squirrels will gladly take a dirty dive when a garbage receptacle is open and accessible. Trashcans are essentially a free, all-you-can-eat buffet for squirrels, and they will go out of their way to get inside them. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to keep squirrels out of your trashcans.

Enclosures – Remove access to your trashcans by moving them to an enclosed area, like inside the garage or shed. If this is not an available option for you, look into purchasing a garbage can enclosure. These look like large, wooden laundry hampers with locks.

Bracing – When trashcans fall over, squirrels get a free-for-all. In fact, toppled trashcans are what attracts nuisance squirrel activity in the first place. They remember that these large, plastic cans carry all sorts of delicious scraps. By bracing your trashcans, you can prevent them from falling over and giving squirrels a reason to come by.

Metal – Make the switch to metal trashcans. Metal cannot be chewed through like plastic, so they stand up well to nuisance squirrel tampering. Of course, your municipality might not allow it for your pick-up garbage receptacles, you can use metal cans for the rest of your on-property waste collection needs.

Deterrents – Use a combination of non-toxic critter repellent and critter deterrents to keep your trashcans clear of nuisance squirrel activity. You can make your own repellent by combining capsaicin oil, ground cayenne pepper, and water into a plastic spray bottle. You can also install devices like motion detection sprinklers and lighting to scare off squirrels.

Keeping Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders

Bird feeders are a common target for squirrels. They just love all of the seeds, nuts, and legumes inside conventional birdseed products, and with their climbing and grasping skills, they can easily get into those little hanging houses. Fortunately, there are some ways you can stop squirrels from stealing all of your birdseed.

Safflower Seeds – Squirrels do not like safflower seeds. But birds like cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, finches, and even dogs love them. Fill your birdfeeders with safflower seeds and you will see the nuisance squirrel activity dwindle within a day.

Avoid Trees – Squirrels are excellent climbers and leapers. For this reason, it is recommended to hang your bird feeders far away from trees and tree limbs so that squirrels have less access to them.

Deterrents – Deterrents work well here, too. You can combine a peppery non-toxic squirrel repellent spray and apply it to the pole and base of your bird feeders. Birds will mind it, but squirrels hate the sensation they get from sniffing or licking pepper.

Baffles – Squirrel baffles are cone-shaped domes that you install around a bird pole so that squirrels cannot get access to a birdfeeder. They simply slide off! Baffles are inexpensive and available at your local gardener home improvement store. If you don’t want to buy a baffle, you can just grease the bird feeder pole. Squirrels will just slip off when they try to climb up!

Are you looking for professional squirrel control assistance in the Indy area? Contact Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for licensed and insured animal trapping and removal for squirrels in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial clients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Squirrel Control

Posted on January 26, 2021 by modernwild

Squirrels are so cute! But we must remember that they are also rodents, which means they can be quite the nuisance if you don’t take the proper precautions to protect your home from wildlife damage. Keep in mind that squirrels have to constantly chew to keep their teeth from growing too much, so they are capable of causing extensive structural damages to both interior and exterior areas of a property. This includes gardens, siding, roof shingles, wood, plastic, plastic piping, electrical wiring, insulation, drywall, vents, and much more. Add in their messy and unsanitary droppings, transmissible diseases, parasitical contagions, breeding season, and nesting habits, and you have a huge threat to your property!

If you suspect that the squirrel activity is increasing around your home, it helps to start educating yourself with facts about nuisance squirrel problems. Read through the frequently asked questions below to learn what they are capable of, how they can get inside your house, what you can do to put a stop to their destruction, who to trust for safe and humane squirrel control, and much more!

Indianapolis Squirrel Removal and Control 317-847-6409

Squirrel Removal and Control FAQS

Why Did Squirrels Target My House?

When it comes to squirrels, they live as opportunists. That means they will take what they can get when they can get it; and in terms of your home, that includes safety, shelter, and food. If you have outdoor pet food, gardens, nut trees, bird feeders, bird baths, and other sources of food or water, squirrels are more attracted to your property.

If you have an attic area, squirrels will try to access it to protect themselves against predators, raise baby squirrels, or hibernate in a warm place for the winter. If they accessed your attic or other interior area of your home, you have openings or gaps (i.e. chimneys, unscreened vents, holes in siding, warped roofing, etc.) that need to be sealed up in order to exclude them and prevent future wildlife intrusion.

How Do I Know if I Have Squirrels in the House?

The most common sign of a squirrel infestation is hearing their noises, such as scurrying, thumping and scratching. Additional signs include finding droppings or food debris around entry and exits areas, evidence of chewing, chewed holes or gaps, unpleasant odors, and more. The best way to determine whether or not you have squirrels in the house is to contact a licensed Indiana wildlife removal and control company for a full-property inspection.

How Do I Get Rid of Squirrels?

To get rid of nuisance squirrels on your property, you can implement many strategies. Most methods involve environmental modifications, such as tree trimming, log pile removals, fencing, automated lighting, automatic noise machines, or homemade repellents that can be sprinkled around your property. You can also remove all the outdoor sources of food and water, and install fencing around your gardens. If you already have squirrels in your house, such as the walls or attic, you will require professional animal trapping and removal services. The longer you wait to remove squirrels, the more damage they will do. This leads to costlier repairs and longer renovation times.

Where Can I Get Affordable Squirrel Removal in Indiana?

Call Modern Wildlife Control at 317-847-6409 for professional Indianapolis critter removal services for squirrels at affordable prices. Our specialists have more than 10 years of hands-on experience and retain the latest technologies and innovative resources to safely manage any job, regardless of size or scope. We can implement the proper course of action to reverse animal involvement and protect your property from further intrusion. Request a free quote for squirrel removal, or schedule an on-site inspection.

Modern Wildlife Control Indianapolis, Indiana

How to Protect Bird Feeders From Hungry Squirrels

Posted on November 23, 2020 by modernwild

Your bird feeders are a valued feature of your landscaping, as it is a focal point that can be enjoyed through the harsh Indiana winters. So, when thieving squirrels pillage your feeders after you’ve taken the time to carefully fill them all up, it can leave you feeling frustrated in the least. So, be sure to do your part this season and prevent yard squirrels from stealing all the bird seed from your feeders.

Continue reading to learn how to protect bird feeders from hungry squirrels this winter, and next.

Squirrel Removal and Control Tennessee — Squirrel Removal and Control in Tennessee 615-336-5503

Best Practices for Bird Feeder Protection

Squirrels are very cute, but they are also very cunning. They will go to great lengths to get a snack, and bird feeders are a common target. Not only does this deplete your feeders, but it also scares all the birds away, which makes for some very boring bird-watching. Fortunately, we are smarter, and many homeowners have already developed several tactics to stop this common nuisance squirrel behavior.

Here is what you can do to prevent squirrels from eating all of the seed inside bird feeders:

► Choose a Location Away From Trees

Squirrels live in trees. Trees are their interstate to everything around them. So, do not make it easy fro them to access your bird feeders by hanging them near trees. Instead, choose a location central to your yard, far from any trees or structures squirrels can climb.

► Apply a Non-Toxic Repellent

There are certain scents, spices, and sensations that squirrels absolutely hate, like menthol, cayenne, cinnamon, and eucalyptus. You can combine some of these ingredients and make a homemade squirrel repellent spray. This recipe is non-toxic since it is made with natural ingredients and water. Simply combine with water into a spray bottle, and spray the pole of your feeders, or the areas that squirrels use to get to them.

► Install a Baffle

You can purchase a device called a squirrel baffle that hinders a squirrel’s ability to access a bird feeder on a pole. It is basically a dome with a hole in the center, and it is installed under the bird feeder. Squirrels have trouble climbing over the dome and accessing the bird feeder.

► Feed the Squirrels Separately

As the old saying goes, “if you can beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Set up separate squirrel feeders, away from the bird feeders, and add squirrel watching to your list of at-home landscaping pleasures. You can buy squirrel feeders and feed at any local home improvement or garden store, or online at your trusted retailer.

Where to Get Professional Squirrel Control Service in Nashville, Tennessee

Call Modern Wildlife Control at 615-336-5503 to get rid of squirrels in Nashville, Tennessee and surrounding areas. As a qualified Nashville wildlife control company licensed by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA), we strictly adhere to all industry-accepted standards and best practices, and operate within all state and federal regulations that govern wildlife. Request a free estimate or advice, today.