Photo Album: Squirrel removal & wildlife control in Mantoloking, NJ
Improperly placed DIY traps for squirrels
Rather than contacting wildlife removal service, the maintenance team attempted to resolve the infestation on its own. While investigating the exterior, I noticed that an exclusion ("one-way") was installed on the corner of the soffit in the back of the structure.
Damage from squirrels in Mantoloking, New Jersey
The one-way was never checked to see if it was properly functioning. Here, when the squirrels were entering the soffit, they were carrying it along pieces of insulation with them for nesting materials. The insulation had clogged the one-way, effectively jamming the door and trapping the squirrel inside the attic instead of outside! The squirrels were so desperate to escape that they carved out a huge hole in the attic vent louvers.
Properly placed squirrel traps in Mantoloking, NJ
I removed the jammed exclusion and sealed off that access with some hardware cloth. I then placed one of my exclusions (properly!) over the attic louvers that the squirrels had broken through. Along with my exclusion, I placed four traps baited with peanuts, a squirrel's favorite food, as well as some peanut oil for scent. In a few days, after we are assured that the squirrels have left the structure, and we can remove the traps and exclusion and permanently seal off the access point. If Cowleys wildlife had been contacted at the outset, the property manager could have saved himself time, money, and frustration. This improper trapping not only caused additional property damage, but it also unnecessarily aggravated a tenant who had to put up with frantic wildlife running around his unit's attic for much longer than was necessary. Hopefully, the property manager learned an important lesson: Leave wildlife trapping to professionals so that it's done right the first time. Wildlife that has taken refuge inside a building is a true emergency, and should be treated as such. Wildlife can not only cause significant property damage, but the animals and their droppings pose a health hazard as well.