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We are Waukegan Wildlife, and we solve conflicts between people and wild animals. From squirrels in your attic, to raccoons in your trash, to bats, rats, birds, and snakes, we do it all. We specialize in safe and effective solutions to Illinois critter problems. We service the greater Waukegan region, and we offer fast service - we can usually schedule a same-day appointment. Give us a call at 224-267-0790 any time, 24/7, and we will discuss your unique wild animal problem, and give you a free price quote over the phone. We're ready to take your call now!

Our service range: We service Lake County, McHenry County, Newton County, DuPage County, Cook County, Grundy County, Jasper County, Kane County, Kendall County, Kenosha County, Porter County, Will County, and more. We also service Carpentersville, Cicero, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Glenview, Gurnee, Hanover Park, Oswego, Palatine, Plainfield, Romeoville, Skokie, Streamwood, Tinley Park, Wheeling, Woodridge, Chicago, Berwyn, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Crystal Lake, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Aurora, Elmhurst, Gary, Hammond, Elgin, Kenosha, North Chicago, Park Ridge, Portage, St. Charles, Valparaiso, Naperville, Wheaton, Addison, Algonquin, Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Carol Stream, and more.

Waukegan Wildlife Education: Do squirrels chew through walls?

Squirrels come across as very sweet creatures. Which they are if they stay out of your home. Once they have taken up residence in your house you may be left with an abundance of damage to repair. We have all seen the speed at which a squirrel can climb up and down a tree. They can climb on almost any surface where they can grip onto.



Finding a space to nest
Squirrels are notorious for seeking refuge in any crawlspace that they can find. This frequently leads them to your home. Because they are such prolific climbers, they can scurry up and down the cavity of your walls. The problem with this is they will continue to run up and down your walls, as long as they can find a place to grip. Unfortunately, drywall or smooth concrete does not allow them to grip onto the surface. This can lead to them being stuck inside your walls.

Stuck inside your walls
A squirrel that finds itself stuck inside your walls will become frantic trying to escape. This often leads to them chewing their way out. They will detect any weakness or hole in the wall to start chewing through. They can even chew through mortar if they are able to find a vulnerable area. Drywall is another story. It poses no problem for them. They often start chewing where electrical wires have been inserted. Now, apart from a hole in your wall, you could also have a fire hazard.

Detecting squirrels
Depending on the species of the squirrel, your guest could be active during the day or at night. You will hear them scurrying up and down the walls. If they have become trapped inside the wall you will hear them running around frantically. It would be a good idea to identify where they gained access in order to make sure you can safely extract them.

Removing the squirrel
Depending on whether or not the squirrel is stuck, it might be relatively difficult to remove it. If it is able to come and go as it pleases you can simply wait for it to leave before closing the entryway. You need to make sure that there are no babies inside the cavity or you might be cutting them off from their mother. You will then have dying squirrels inside your wall. If the animal has become stuck, you could try reaching it from the top. Make sure to wear protective gloves as they can scratch or bite when scared. It is not advised to try and do this yourself. You might have to cut a hole in the wall if you are unable to reach the squirrel from the top. This is a lot easier if you have drywall instead of brick walls. The job could be virtually impossible for a homeowner to complete without the help of a professional. A wildlife removal expert will have the necessary equipment to remove the critter with as little damage to your property as possible.

Previous Education Articles
What Dangers Waukugen Foxes Can Pose To Humans?
What to Do if You Find a Dead Waukegan Deer Outside
What are the risks of Waukegan flying squirrels chewing wires or wood?
What You Should Do if You Find Dead Waukegan Animals Under Your House