Many Michigan homeowners dismiss squirrels and chipmunks as harmless backyard animals. But when they move into your home, the damage can be severe and expensive. Squirrels in attics chew on electrical wiring to sharpen their constantly growing teeth — and the National Fire Protection Association reports that rodents and squirrels are responsible for thousands of structure fires every year across the United States.
Beyond fire risk, squirrels destroy attic insulation by tearing it apart for nesting material, which reduces your home's energy efficiency and increases heating costs during Michigan winters. Their urine and droppings contaminate insulation and create health hazards. They can also chew through PVC plumbing pipes, causing water damage in walls and ceilings.
Chipmunks present different but equally serious risks. Their extensive tunnel networks — which can include multiple chambers for sleeping, food storage, and waste — undermine the soil supporting your foundation, porch, driveway, and sidewalks. Over time, this creates voids that cause concrete to crack and settle. Foundation repairs from chipmunk damage can cost thousands of dollars.
Both squirrels and chipmunks carry ectoparasites including fleas, ticks, and mites. When they nest in your attic or burrow near your foundation, these parasites can migrate into your living spaces — creating a secondary pest problem on top of the wildlife issue. Michigan's oak-heavy landscapes and proximity to parks and recreation areas mean wildlife pressure is constant in communities like Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, and throughout Oakland and Washtenaw counties.
