Effective Squirrel Removal in West Des Moines, IA
Dealing with unwelcome squirrels on your West Des Moines property can be more than just an annoyance; it can become a serious problem. These seemingly harmless critters can cause significant damage and pose potential health risks. At West Des Moines Pest Pros, we understand the challenges homeowners and businesses face when squirrels decide to make their move. Our specialized squirrel removal services are designed to safely and effectively address these intrusions, restoring peace and security to your property.
Many people in West Des Moines and the surrounding areas like Urbandale and Clive struggle with:
- ✅ Raccoons rummaging in the garbage
- ✅ Squirrels nesting in attics
- ✅ Chewing on electrical wires
- ✅ Damaged insulation
- ✅ Noisy scratching sounds
- ✅ Health concerns from droppings
- ✅ Destroyed landscaping
We are here to help you get rid of these frustrating issues. Our expert team utilizes humane methods to remove squirrels and prevent them from returning. We'll identify entry points, safely capture the animals, and implement exclusion techniques to seal off your home or business, ensuring a lasting solution. Don't let squirrels take over; let us help you reclaim your space.
Why Choose West Des Moines Pest Pros?
When you're facing a squirrel problem, you need a reliable and experienced partner. West Des Moines Pest Pros offers the expertise and dedication required to handle your wildlife concerns effectively. We are committed to providing top-notch service with a focus on customer satisfaction and ethical practices.
- Extensive Experience: Our team has years of experience in wildlife removal, with a deep understanding of squirrel behavior and effective removal techniques.
- Qualified Professionals: All our technicians are trained and certified, ensuring they adhere to the highest industry standards for safety and effectiveness.
- Customer Satisfaction: We prioritize your peace of mind. Our goal is to not only remove the squirrels but also to ensure you are completely satisfied with our service from start to finish.
- Service Guarantees: We stand behind our work. We offer guarantees on our exclusion services, giving you confidence that your squirrel problem will be resolved long-term.
- Humane Approach: We employ humane and ethical methods for trapping and relocating squirrels, ensuring their safety whenever possible.
- Local Expertise: As a local business serving West Des Moines and nearby communities like Waukee and Johnston, we understand the specific challenges faced by properties in this region.
Our commitment to quality and customer care is unwavering. We aim to provide a swift, professional, and lasting solution to your squirrel problem, allowing you to enjoy your home or business property without the stress and damage associated with these pests.
Our Methodical Approach to Squirrel Removal
Our squirrel removal process is designed to be thorough, effective, and mindful of the well-being of the animals and your property. We follow a structured approach to ensure all aspects of the infestation are addressed, from initial identification to prevention of future issues.
Inspection and Assessment
The first critical step is a comprehensive inspection of your property. Our technicians will meticulously examine various areas where squirrels are likely to gain entry or build nests. This includes attics, roofs, chimneys, vents, and any other potential access points.
Identifying Entry Points
Squirrels are incredibly agile and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings. We will carefully identify all entry points, no matter how small, that squirrels are using to access your building. These can include gaps in siding, damaged shingles, open soffits, or uncapped chimneys. Knowing every entry point is crucial for effective exclusion.
Assessing the Infestation Level
During the inspection, we will also assess the extent of the squirrel infestation. This involves looking for signs of squirrel activity, such as droppings, gnaw marks, nesting materials, and the presence of vocalizations or scratching sounds. Understanding the severity of the infestation helps us determine the most appropriate removal strategy.
Squirrel Removal and Trapping
Once we have a clear understanding of the situation, we implement our removal strategy. Our primary focus is on humane removal whenever possible.
Live Trapping Techniques
For many situations, live trapping is the most ethical and effective removal method. We use specialized traps designed to safely capture squirrels without causing them harm. These traps are strategically placed near entry points or in areas where squirrel activity is observed. We regularly monitor the traps to ensure captured animals are promptly handled.
Relocation Protocol
Once squirrels are safely trapped, we follow local regulations and best practices for relocation. This typically involves transporting the squirrels to a suitable location far from your property where they can thrive in their natural environment. Our goal is to minimize stress on the animals during this process.
Common Issues Indicating the Need for Squirrel Removal in West Des Moines
Recognizing the signs of a squirrel infestation early can save you from headaches and costly repairs down the line. Here are some common problems that suggest it's time to contact West Des Moines Pest Pros for squirrel removal services:
Noisy Scratching or Rustling Sounds
If you hear scratching, scampering, or rustling sounds coming from your attic, walls, ceilings, or chimney, especially during the day, it's a strong indicator of squirrel activity. These sounds are often squirrels moving around, building nests, or chewing. The noises can be particularly noticeable in the early morning and late afternoon when squirrels are most active. Ignoring these sounds can lead to further damage and a larger infestation. Our team can pinpoint the source of these sounds and implement a plan to humanely remove the animals causing the disturbance.
Visible Damage to Property
Squirrels are notorious for their persistent chewing habits. They chew to keep their teeth trimmed and to gain access to food and shelter. Look for signs of gnawing on electrical wires, wooden beams, insulation, or even the exterior of your home. This damage can compromise the structural integrity of your building and pose fire hazards due to damaged wiring. You might also notice chewed siding, torn insulation in your attic, or damaged exclusion materials on your home's exterior. Addressing this damage quickly is essential, and our squirrel removal service includes identifying and repairing these points of entry.
Presence of Droppings and Urine
Squirrel droppings, which are small, pellet-shaped, and often found in scattered piles, especially in attics or around entry points, are a clear sign of infestation. Urine can also leave stains and a strong, unpleasant odor. These waste products not only create an unsanitary environment but can also pose health risks through the spread of diseases. The accumulation of droppings can degrade insulation and create a breeding ground for other pests. Our comprehensive service includes safely cleaning and sanitizing areas contaminated with squirrel waste after the animals have been removed.
Damaged or Disturbed Insulation
Squirrels will often use insulation as nesting material or create tunnels within it to move around your attic. If you notice insulation that appears matted down, torn, or chewed, it's a strong indicator of squirrel activity. Damaged insulation reduces your home's energy efficiency and can lead to increased heating and cooling costs. Restoring your insulation is often a necessary step after squirrel removal, and our team can advise on the best course of action to repair or replace damaged areas. This is a critical step in completing the wildlife control process.
Entry Points or Holes in Exterior
Visible holes, gaps, or openings on the exterior of your home or business are potential entry points for squirrels. Look for missing shingles, damaged soffits, gaps around vents or chimneys, or even small holes chewed through wood. Squirrels can enlarge existing openings or create new ones to gain access. Sealing these entry points is a crucial part of preventing future infestations and is a key component of our squirrel removal service. We meticulously identify and secure all vulnerable areas to ensure squirrels cannot re-enter.
Seeing Squirrels Entering or Exiting the Building
The most obvious sign is actually seeing squirrels going into or out of your home or business. Observe where they are entering and at what times. They may be carrying nesting material or food items into your building. Witnessing this behavior confirms that you have an active infestation that requires professional intervention. Don't attempt to block the entry point while the squirrel is inside, as this can trap the animal and cause further damage as it tries to escape. It's always best to consult with professionals like West Des Moines Pest Pros.
Unusual Pet Behavior
Your pets might react to squirrels in your walls or attic. Dogs may bark incessantly at certain areas, or cats might stare intently at ceilings or walls where squirrels are present. This unusual behavior from your pets can be an early warning sign of a wildlife intrusion even before you hear sounds or see visible damage. Pay attention to your pets' cues; they often detect pests before we do. This can be an indicator for various pest issues, including rodent control needs.
Nesting Materials Present
Squirrels build nests using materials like leaves, twigs, shredded insulation, and other soft items. Finding an accumulation of these materials in unusual places, such as your attic, garage, or chimney, suggests that squirrels are building a nest. Active nests often contain presence of young squirrels, which requires specialized handling during the removal process. Our team is experienced in dealing with mother squirrels and their young, ensuring a safe and humane removal for all.
Odd Odors
A persistent, unpleasant odor emanating from your walls, ceiling, or attic can be a result of squirrel urine and droppings, or even a deceased animal. These odors can permeate your home and be very difficult to eliminate without professional cleaning and remediation. The smell of decomposing animals is particularly strong and indicates a serious problem that needs immediate attention. Our services address not only the removal of the live squirrels but also the necessary cleanup to eliminate odors and potential health hazards.
Damage to Outdoor Structures or Landscaping
Squirrels don't just target your home's interior. They can also cause damage to outdoor structures, such as sheds, decks, or fences, by chewing on wood or creating nests. They may also dig up gardens, bury nuts, or damage trees and shrubs by stripping bark or eating buds. While this type of damage might seem less severe than issues inside your home, it can still be a significant nuisance and indicate a larger population of squirrels in your area. Addressing the issue on your property can help reduce the likelihood of them moving indoors and help prevent the need for residential or commercial pest control for other issues like ant control or spider removal.
Electrical Issues
Chewing through electrical wires is a serious danger associated with squirrel infestations. Damaged wiring can cause power outages, short circuits, and significantly increase the risk of a house fire. If you experience unexplained electrical problems and suspect squirrel activity, it's crucial to have both the squirrels removed and an electrician assess the damage immediately. Our team can help identify areas where squirrels may have chewed on wiring during our inspection.
Increased Number of Squirrels on Property
Seeing an unusual increase in the number of squirrels on your property or in your yard could indicate that they are finding ample food and shelter sources nearby, potentially within your home or business. A higher local squirrel population often translates to a higher risk of indoor infestations. Monitoring the wildlife activity around your property can provide early warning signs of a potential problem that requires professional attention. This increased activity is more than just an aesthetic issue; it suggests a potential problem brewing.
Witnessing Aggressive Behavior
While generally timid, squirrels can become territorial and even aggressive, especially if they feel threatened or if you approach their nest. If you observe squirrels displaying aggressive behavior towards people or pets, it is another indicator of a significant presence and can be a safety concern. It's best to avoid direct confrontation with squirrels and instead rely on professionals to handle their removal safely. Aggressive squirrels might be protecting a nest, highlighting the need for professional assessment and removal.
Damage to Vehicles
In some cases, squirrels can cause damage to vehicles by chewing on wiring or hoses under the hood for nesting material or simply to keep their teeth in trim. This can lead to costly repairs and potential safety hazards if essential vehicle components are compromised. If you notice signs of gnawing on your car's engine components, it could be related to a squirrel problem on your property and warrants investigation.
Finding Dead Squirrels
Unfortunately, sometimes you might find a deceased squirrel on your property, either outside or, in some cases, trapped inside your home. Finding a dead squirrel could indicate previous or ongoing access issues and highlights the need for a thorough inspection to find out how the animal got in and to prevent others from following. Proper disposal of dead animals is also important for hygiene and preventing the spread of disease. This can happen with other pests requiring raccoon removal as well.
Persistent Acorn or Nut Accumulation
Squirrels are known for burying nuts and acorns. While finding a few is normal, discovering large accumulations of buried nuts in unusual locations, such as flowerpots, eaves, or even inside your chimney, can indicate that squirrels are preparing for a long stay or have established a significant presence on your property. This behavior is directly linked to their nesting and storage habits.
Call now for a price quote!
Ready to Reclaim Your Property?
Don't let squirrels continue to cause damage and stress on your West Des Moines home or business. The sooner you address a squirrel infestation, the less damage and potential health risks you'll face. West Des Moines Pest Pros is ready to provide the expert, humane squirrel removal services you need.
Our team is standing by to assess your situation, implement a safe and effective removal plan, and provide solutions to prevent future invasions. We are committed to delivering peace of mind through our reliable and professional service.
Call West Des Moines Pest Pros today at (833) 668-1714 to schedule your inspection and take the first step towards a squirrel-free property. Let us help you protect your investment and enjoy a safe and peaceful environment. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we are confident in our ability to resolve your squirrel problem effectively and efficiently.