How Dangerous Can A Squirrel Really Be?

When you see a squirrel darting up a tree or chasing acorns across your yard, it’s easy to dismiss it as harmless. But when these animals decide to make your home their own, the risks to your property and peace of mind increase, making professional wildlife removal essential.

Squirrels 101

Squirrels are adaptable omnivores, often nesting in trees but quick to take shelter indoors when temperatures drop. In colder months, especially, they may slip into attic spaces, wall voids, or crawl spaces through surprisingly small gaps. Once inside, their instinctive behaviors can quickly turn into big problems.

While a direct attack on a person is rare, squirrels are wild animals and may become defensive if cornered, which can lead to bites or scratches. Additionally, they can carry parasites such as ticks and fleas that may pose indirect health risks to pets or family members.

Property Damage: More Serious Than You Think

One of the most significant risks squirrels pose is property damage. Their teeth never stop growing, so they’re compelled to gnaw constantly. Unfortunately, that chewing doesn’t stay outside; it extends to:

• Electrical wiring, stripping insulation, and creating potential fire hazards
• Insulation and wood structures, weakening support, and increasing energy costs
• Plumbing and vents, causing leaks or unplanned entry points for other pests
• Attic materials and personal items, making nesting messes that can become costly to repair

These behaviors can result in severe damage in a surprisingly short period of time, and that’s before you factor in the foul odors from droppings and urine left behind.

How Squirrels Can Impact Your Health

Though squirrels aren’t typically carriers of rabies, they can still harbor parasites, bacteria, and ticks that carry diseases, especially if they’ve been nesting inside your attic or walls. Their droppings and urine can also contribute to unsanitary conditions and trigger allergies or respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.

Take Control of Squirrel Problems Today

Handling a squirrel issue on your own might seem tempting, especially if you think “it’s just a squirrel.” But attempting to trap or remove wildlife without the proper tools and training can expose you to bites, scratches, and stress on your home’s structure. DIY traps and poisons also come with risks to kids, pets, and unintended wildlife victims.

That’s where experienced professionals make all the difference. At Vogelsang Pest Management, with over 30 years of experience in O’Fallon, MO, we provide safe, effective wildlife removal tailored to your needs. Our pet- and kid-friendly methods help protect your family’s health and give you peace of mind.

Whether you’re hearing scurrying in the attic, spotting chewing damage, or just want preventative peace of mind, we’ll assess, remove, and help secure your home against future wildlife intrusions.

Don’t let a furry visitor turn into a costly problem. Contact Vogelsang Pest Management today to protect your home with trusted local expertise and humane, effective wildlife control.