A retail store specializing in sporting goods, established in a single-storey commercial building in Granby, in the Haute-Yamaska region of the Eastern Townships, asked for our help after discovering squirrels installed in the false ceiling of the storage space and the adjoining technical room. The situation, detected at the beginning of the spring season, was particularly worrying for the owner because of the presence of electrical cables and fire alarm ducts in the animals’ activity areas. As this regional commercial and industrial hub also had a high density of red squirrels that year, the request for intervention was urgent.
Access assessment and mapping
Our technician carried out a complete survey of the commercial building envelope. Buildings of this type, often built with flat or slightly sloping roofs, have specific vulnerabilities: degraded parapet joints, unprotected commercial ventilation ducts and insufficiently sealed cable passages. In this case, three entry points were identified: an opening in the facing joint near an air conditioning duct, a gap between two sheet metal panels at roof level, and a crack in the brick siding at the northeast corner of the building. Fresh traces of occupation and food deposits confirmed the active use of these access roads.
Inside the false ceiling, the technician identified two distinct nesting sites, suggesting the presence of at least two adult individuals. Electrical wiring wires showed slight gnawing marks, which was reported immediately to the owner. Preventive repair of these cables was recommended before the normal reopening of operations. In businesses of this type, damaged electrical wiring represents not only a risk of fire, but also a risk of failure of the security and alarm systems, which fully justifies immediate intervention.
Capture intervention and security measures
Given the commercial context, the intervention was planned to limit the impact on the store’s activity to a minimum. The live capture traps were installed outside of business hours and positioned so as not to obstruct the movement of employees or customers. Our squirrel capture service provides for morning checks before the opening of the business, which was respected to the letter throughout the operation. The baits used, composed of dried fruit and peanut butter, were chosen for their proven effectiveness with red squirrels in urban areas.
Four squirrels were captured in six days and relocated to a suitable wooded area. Our extermination team in Granby made sure that every step was documented and communicated to the business manager. After confirmation of the absence of residual animals, the false ceiling was partially opened to allow the removal of the nests and the cleaning of soiled surfaces. Disinfection has eliminated odorous residues that could attract new individuals to the commercial space.
Sealing and recommendations for long-term prevention
The phase of closing the accesses required the use of materials suitable for a commercial structure: galvanized metal plates screwed to the wall openings, application of a high-performance silicone sealant on the facing cracks and installation of stainless steel protective grilles on the exterior ventilation ducts. For a detailed overview of this type of preventative work, see our page on caulking at points of entry.
Preventive recommendations have been submitted in writing to the Department of Commerce: annual inspection of the building envelope before the autumn season, removal of cardboard recycling bins located too close to the north exterior wall and pruning of ornamental shrubs along the façade. These simple measures significantly reduce the risk of recurrence. It is also advisable to inform the housekeeping staff to report any unusual noise in storage spaces or technical rooms, as early detection allows action to be taken before the infestation becomes permanent. To ensure a lasting result, Nova Extermination also offers preventive follow-up contracts adapted to the needs of businesses. Consult our achievements on other squirrel capture interventions in various environments to better understand our integrated approach to urban and commercial wildlife management.