Furry critters like squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and groundhogs may look cute from afar, but these pests can cause significant trouble if they find their way inside your home. Many types of wildlife will use open vents, holes in the wall, or cracks in the foundation to seek shelter inside your home. If you suspect that you may be playing host to unwelcome animal guests, it's important to take swift action to resolve the issue. Viking Pest's SMART Wildlife Exclusion provides a humane approach to wildlife control that focuses on trapping and removing pests while implementing prevention strategies to keep them from returning.

Why Do I Need Wildlife Management Solutions?

Every homeowner should address the potential dangers of a wildlife infestation through preventative maintenance and pest control services. Wildlife may cause significant property damage, from chewing through walls and electrical wires to structural damage from their burrowing and nesting habits. Some species may even clog your vents in attempts to build their nests.

Wildlife species may carry various diseases, bacteria, and parasites that can transmit to humans and cause illness. Their fur, dander, and droppings can also trigger allergies in some people. If you happen to encounter a live animal in your home, there is the risk of getting bitten or scratched, especially if the animal feels threatened and becomes aggressive.

The threat of an infestion may worsen depending on the season. For example, squirrels typically have litters in early spring and summer. If you don't take action with professional squirrel control, populations can quickly grow and cause more trouble.

What Are the Benefits of Wildlife Exclusion?

Squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and other critters will take advantage of any entry points to get inside your home to access food, water, warmth, and safe shelter to nest. Wildlife exclusion is a safe and humane approach to pest control and begins with an inspection of your property to identify and seal entry points in your basement, attic, and around your home. This wildlife managment strategy includes suggestions to make the environment surrounding your home less appealing to wildlife. Simple measures like keeping pet food indoors or taking it away after feeding time, picking up fallen fruit, harvesting produce from your garden, and securing trash in sealed containers can all help deter unwanted creatures. Physical barriers like mesh fences, screens, and chimney caps are other important aspects of protecting your property.

How Does the SMART System Work?

If you want even greater protection against wildlife, Anticimex SMART is a valuable upgrade to traditional wildlife exclusion services. The SMART system provides 24/7 monitoring of pest activity using innovative, intelligent, and eco-friendly technology.

SMART wildlife exclusion employs a network of strategically placed infrared sensors to track wildlife activity and send alerts to the office so the Viking team knows when to take action. Ongoing service includes periodic inspections, trap relocation if animal activity shifts, and trap emptying.

Get Proactive About Wildlife Management With Safe, Sustainable, and Humane SMART Solutions From Viking Pest

You can ONLY get SMART Wildlife Exclusion from Viking Pest Control in New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Our team uses the latest technology and expertise from decades of experience with the area's wildlife to create a customized solution for your home. Contact us today to get started by requesting your free estimate.

Protect Your Home from Squirrel Infestations with Viking Pest Control

Squirrels may be cute and fun to watch as they scurry through the trees, but when they invade your home, they can cause extensive and costly damage. If you’re dealing with a squirrel problem in your attic or want to prevent one from happening, Viking Pest Control is here to help.

The Hidden Dangers of Squirrels in Your Attic

Squirrels are incredibly resourceful and can create entry points into your home by enlarging small gaps and holes. They frequently chew through wooden rooflines, rip up shingles, and expose your attic to moisture damage. Once inside, squirrels will shred insulation to build nests and, more alarmingly, chew on electrical wires, posing a significant fire hazard. In fact, squirrels have been linked to house fires and even power grid failures due to their incessant gnawing habits.

How Squirrels Get In

Squirrels are expert climbers, often traveling along tree branches to reach your roof. If you have overhanging branches within six feet of your house, you’re providing a direct pathway for these critters. To protect your home, it’s crucial to:

• Trim tree branches back at least six feet from the structure.

• Inspect rooflines, fascia boards, and attic vents for damage or gaps.

• Repair broken windows and secure vent screens to prevent entry.

• Keep gutters clean to prevent water damage that weakens your home’s exterior.

The Risks of DIY Squirrel Removal

While you may be tempted to handle a squirrel problem on your own, there are serious risks involved. Squirrels can bite and scratch when cornered, potentially transmitting dangerous diseases such as rabies. If you are scratched or bitten, seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, many states have strict regulations regarding the trapping and relocation of wildlife. Improper handling could result in fines or other legal consequences.

Viking Pest Control’s Proven Squirrel Removal Process

At Viking Pest Control, we use a strategic and humane approach to squirrel removal. Our process includes:

1. Assessment: We begin by discussing your experience with squirrel activity to determine the extent of the infestation.

2. Inspection: Our team thoroughly examines your home to identify entry points and nesting areas.

3. Removal: Depending on the situation, we use methods such as:

   • One-way exclusion tunnels that allow squirrels to exit but not re-enter.

   • Live traps placed in the attic near nesting sites, checked daily per local regulations.

4. Prevention: After removing the squirrels, we perform exclusion work to seal entry points and prevent future infestations.

Protect Your Home with Viking Pest Control

Don’t let squirrels wreak havoc on your property. If you suspect a squirrel infestation, call Viking Pest Control for professional and humane removal services. Our experts have the experience, tools, and knowledge to protect your home and keep it pest-free.

Contact Viking Pest Control today for a free quote and take the first step toward a squirrel-free home!

Squirrels may seem harmless when they’re running through your yard or climbing trees, but once they get inside your home, they can quickly become a serious problem. These agile rodents are capable of causing costly property damage, contaminating insulation, creating fire hazards, and exposing your family to health risks.

As temperatures cool, squirrels begin searching for warm, protected places to nest — and attics, crawl spaces, garages, and wall voids are some of their favorite hiding spots. Understanding why squirrels invade homes and how to stop them can help you avoid expensive repairs and long-term damage.

Why Squirrels Enter Homes

Squirrels are constantly searching for three things: food, water, and shelter. Residential properties often provide all three.

Bird feeders, gardens, fruit trees, trash bins, and outdoor pet food can all attract squirrels to your yard. Once they become comfortable around your property, they may start exploring your roofline, attic vents, soffits, siding, or chimney for a way inside.

Because squirrels are skilled climbers and persistent chewers, even a small opening can become an entry point. They can gnaw through wood, shingles, fascia boards, and weakened siding to access your attic or walls.

Common Squirrel Species in the Mid-Atlantic

Homeowners in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland commonly encounter:

• Eastern Gray Squirrels
• Southern Flying Squirrels

Eastern gray squirrels are the larger, more visible species often seen raiding bird feeders and digging through gardens. Southern flying squirrels are smaller, nocturnal, and more likely to go unnoticed until damage or noises become apparent.

Neither species hibernates, meaning squirrel activity can continue year-round.

Problems Squirrels Can Cause Inside Your Home

Fire Hazards from Chewing Wires

One of the biggest dangers squirrels create is chewing electrical wiring. Like other rodents, squirrels must constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from overgrowing. Unfortunately, attic wiring, cables, and insulation are common targets.

Exposed electrical wires can spark and create a serious fire risk, especially because squirrels often nest in hidden areas where fires may spread before they are detected.

Damage to Insulation and Structures

Squirrels tear apart insulation to build nests and may damage drywall, wood framing, soffits, vents, and rooflines. Over time, these issues can reduce your home’s energy efficiency and lead to expensive structural repairs.

They may also chew on:

• Furniture
• Cardboard storage boxes
• HVAC components
• Window frames
• Door frames
• Gutters
• Roof shingles

Health Risks from Squirrel Droppings

Squirrel urine and feces can contaminate attics and crawl spaces. Their waste may carry bacteria and pathogens linked to illnesses such as:

• Salmonella
• Leptospirosis

In addition, squirrels can introduce fleas, ticks, mites, and other parasites into your home.

Dead Animal Odors

If a squirrel dies inside a wall, attic, or crawl space, the odor can become overwhelming and difficult to remove. Decomposition odors may linger for weeks and often require professional cleaning and deodorization services.

Vehicle Damage

Squirrels sometimes invade garages and vehicle engine compartments, especially during colder months. They may chew wiring, nest under hoods, and cause costly damage that can affect vehicle performance and safety.

Signs You May Have Squirrels in Your Home

Some common warning signs include:

• Scratching or scampering noises in walls or ceilings
• Activity in the attic during early morning or evening hours
• Chewed wood, wires, or insulation
• Droppings in the attic or garage
• Strong odors coming from walls or crawl spaces
• Visible entry holes near the roofline or vents

If you notice these signs, it’s important to act quickly before the infestation worsens.

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Home

Preventing squirrel problems starts with making your property less attractive and eliminating access points.

Trim Tree Branches

Keep branches at least six feet away from your roof whenever possible. Overhanging limbs provide squirrels with direct access to your home.

Seal Entry Points

Inspect your home for gaps, cracks, loose siding, damaged soffits, and uncapped vents. Squirrels only need a small opening to begin chewing their way inside.

Protect Rooflines and Vents

Check attic vents, chimney caps, fascia boards, and roof edges for signs of damage or openings.

Reduce Outdoor Food Sources

To discourage squirrels from lingering near your home:

• Move bird feeders away from the house
• Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids
• Clean fallen fruit from yards
• Protect gardens with fencing or netting

Maintain Your Property

Cluttered yards, overgrown landscaping, and clogged gutters can create ideal shelter areas for squirrels and other wildlife.

Why DIY Squirrel Removal Can Be Dangerous

If a squirrel enters your living space, trying to remove it yourself can be risky. Cornered squirrels may bite or scratch when frightened. Attempting to trap or handle wildlife without proper equipment can also increase the risk of injury and disease exposure.

Professional wildlife control specialists can safely remove squirrels and identify how they entered your home in the first place.

Professional Squirrel Control from Viking Pest Control

If squirrels have invaded your attic, walls, garage, or crawl space, professional help can prevent the problem from escalating further.

Viking Pest Control provides squirrel and wildlife control services throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Their trained specialists can help remove squirrels safely, identify entry points, and recommend exclusion solutions designed to keep wildlife out long-term.

Whether you’re hearing scratching in the attic or noticing damage around your roofline, addressing squirrel activity early can help protect your home from costly repairs and ongoing infestations.

You can also learn more about their wildlife services here:

Wildlife Control Services

Winter is here and so are wildlife home invaders in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland!

It’s cooooold out there! We know this and so do wild animals. In many areas of NJ, PA, MD, and DE wild animals including raccoons and squirrels are trying to get into your home to find shelter from the winter weather. What can you do to protect your property?

Below are some helpful pest-proofing tips from the professionals at Viking Pest Control.

• To keep pests out of your home, eliminate possible areas of entry. This can be difficult, because pests like raccoons or skunks have the ability to make their own holes in the exterior of your property. To prevent this, close up any holes you can find and make sure you replace any weathered or worn boards or timbers.
• Keep food under wraps. If you feed your pets outdoors, make sure that food is picked up after your pet is done eating. Make sure your trash can has a secure and tight fitting lid that is not easily lifted.
• Never feed wild animals; leaving bird feeders out can attract squirrels and other wildlife.
• Cut back tree branches and shrubs from the side of your home; these can act as a bridge for invading mice and rats as well as wildlife, insects and spiders in NJ, PA, MD, and DE.

Along with causing serious structural damage, wild animals like raccoons are known for spreading fleas and ticks in your home as well as serious diseases like rabies, roundworm, and leptospirosis. Not only do animals enter your home to find shelter, they may also be looking for a safe place to have their babies, so a small infestation may become a much larger one very quickly!

If you’re having trouble with wild animals inside your attic, basement or crawl space, the professionals at Viking Pest Control would like to help. Our team of local extermination experts know the dangers these pests pose when they are in your home and near your family and we want to help protect you from these pests. Give us a call today for more information on our wildlife removal and animal control services to protect your home from these winter pest invaders.

Call Viking at 800-618-2847 to learn more about wildlife control and exclusion services, or get a fast, free quote online today!