A single-family residence in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a municipality in the Montérégie region nestled at the foot of Mont Saint-Hilaire, called in our technicians after repeated noises in the attic alerted the owners. Neighboring Beloeil and Mont-Saint-Hilaire, this residential and agricultural area with its wooded edges attracts many red squirrels that take advantage of the large maple and birch trees to access the roofs. These rodents, which are particularly active in autumn when building up their reserves, can quickly cause considerable damage once installed in an attic. Upon receiving the call, our team scheduled a full inspection of the building to assess the extent of the infestation and identify the access routes used by the rodents.
Inspection and assessment of the situation
When we arrived, the technician conducted a thorough examination of the exterior of the residence. Several weak points were identified: a detached edge joint on the north façade, two small openings in the vinyl soffits, and a damaged shingle area near the chimney. These accesses, often discreet to the untrained eye, are more than enough for a red squirrel to sneak into the space under the roof. Inside, an inspection of the attic confirmed the presence of an active nest made up of leaves, moss and torn insulating fibres.
Traces of droppings and slightly gnawed electrical wiring wires were also noted, which represented a significant risk to the safety of the building. Red squirrels have a marked tendency to gnaw on building materials and electrical ducts, which can lead to fire risks if the situation is not taken care of quickly. The owner was informed of all the findings before approving the intervention plan.
Setting traps and removing animals
Our squirrel capture protocol is based on the installation of strategically positioned live capture traps: two units were placed directly at the identified entry points, and a third in the attic near the nest. This type of trap, baited with nuts and peanut butter, allows you to catch the animals without hurting them. Checks were carried out every morning to minimize stress on the captured animals. In four days, three adult red squirrels were recovered and relocated to an appropriate wooded area, in accordance with Quebec wildlife regulations.
To ensure that no animals remained inside, a forty-eight-hour observation period followed the last trapping, with no activity detected. Our technicians then proceeded to remove the nest and clean up the accumulated organic matter, an essential step to eliminate pheromones that could attract other individuals. Attic decontamination work included the removal of faeces and the disinfection of contaminated surfaces, with particular attention to areas in contact with insulation.
Closure of ports of entry and sustainable prevention
Once the attic was cleared and sanitized, our team proceeded to close the entry points identified during the inspection. The edge joint was re-welded with a UV-resistant elastomeric sealant, the soffit openings were sealed with appropriate gauge galvanized wire mesh, and the damaged shingle area was repaired. These rigid and durable materials resist squirrel gnawing attempts, unlike expanding foams that can be easily punctured. The owners received additional recommendations: prune the branches overhanging the roof to less than two meters and remove bird feeders too close to the house, which are a major source of food attraction for rodents.
It is also advisable to inspect soffits and fascia annually, especially after the spring freeze-thaw cycles, which gradually weaken the joints of the roofing materials. These regular checks help detect new vulnerabilities before an animal exploits them. A telephone follow-up was carried out two weeks after the intervention. No new activity was reported. This report illustrates why rapid and methodical intervention is crucial: the more the colony is established, the more structural and health damage accumulates.
Nova Extermination provides you with recognized expertise on the South Shore to solve this type of problem in a sustainable and wildlife-friendly manner. For similar cases in the region, see also our achievements concerning other squirrel capture interventions and our raccoon capture work on the South Shore.