Squirrel damage ventilation duct in Jackson - Squirrel removal and control in Jackson, NJ

Challenge

I was dispatched to a Jackson residence after the homeowner called Cowleys complaining of an ongoing issue with wildlife noises in her attic. Upon arrival, I spoke with the homeowner to gain a better understanding of the problem. She stated that there was heavy squirrel activity in her neighborhood and squirrels were accessing her roof. She was even able to show me where she believed that the squirrels were gaining access inside her attic, which turned out to be quite helpful. The homeowner resided in a residential community, and had the on-site maintenance attempt to capture and remove the wildlife removal, but they were unable to do so. Wildlife removal is more than setting traps. An experienced wildlife technician is able to identify the movement of the animals, and strategically set traps in appropriate locations. Also, once captured, wildlife can be vicious. There is always the potential for serious injury from bites or clawing when capturing or transporting animals for relocation. In short, nuisance wildlife removal is not a DIY project for homeowners nor should it be attempted by general maintenance staff inexperienced with wildlife behavior. It is not just risk of injury; often, the outcome is unsuccessful.

Solution

After conducting a thorough inspection of her residence, I determined the homeowner was indeed correct. Squirrels were gaining access inside her attic through an opening in the soffit above a dryer vent. I also saw evidence of the previous unsuccessful trapping attempt. I set live traps along the path that the squirrels were taking throughout the day in order to access the roof and find their way inside the home. Over the course of a few days, I safely and humanely trapped, removed, and relocated three squirrels from her home. After inspecting the attic to verify that there were no squirrels inside the residence, I sealed the access point to prevent any future entry. 

Squirrels are gnawing rodents that can cause significant property damage inside a home. They can chew through wood, damaging roofs and causing water damage. They often ruin expensive insulation with their urine and gnawing behavior. Even worse, squirrels can start house fires by chewing through wiring. And it’s not just property damage. Squirrels also pose potential health risks to a home’s occupants. Wildlife can have disease-causing pathogens in their droppings, and they can also transport disease-carrying ticks inside a home. As the accompanying picture shows, squirrels nesting in this attic in Jackson caused significant damage to a ventilation duct.