Originally Posted by
astra
This is not "surmising", this is making a huge sweeping ungrounded assumption.
1. Quite a few people here have had squirrels in their attics, garages etc. But the way they dealt with that problem was determined by their understanding that squirrels, just like raccoons, rats, skunks and all other animals whom ppl consider pests, have the same right to be here, if not more rights to be here.
You see, they do not really know that some human build a house and made that spot his/her property, and the trees, on which these squirrels' ancestors lived for ages, ended up on that person's property or next to that person's house. You see, to them those trees are still their trees.
2. The "infestations" of animals are all people's own fault. They dispose of their garbage incorrectly, thus inviting raccoons and rats (especially, eating establishments), they do not properly seal holes, cracks and various openings in their basements, attics, roofs. These examples can be quite long.
I, personally, often talk to the pest control ppl that come to our work place every month. And they confirm: rat/raccoon/mice/etc infestations are caused by people's irresponsible actions.
3. When a squirrel or a raccoon does end up in one's attic, there is a perfectly humane way of getting rid of them.
E.g., my landlord often faces squirrels in his attics, and he is not a TSB person. BUT he does admit that it's not squirrels' fault and no animal should be hurt. So, he found an animal removing company, whose owner is a normal guy, too.
If it is a baby season, he waits for some time, to make sure there are no babies. Then, he installs one-way doors - the animal can leave, but cannot go back.THAT IS IT! END OF PROBLEM! AND NO CREATURE IS HURT!
And if you go to any wildlife removing companies, read their brochures etc, you will be told that after that it is strongly suggested to inspect your attic/basement/whatnot for possible holes and cracks and seal them to avoid future invasions.
But most people are too lazy and too cheap to take responsibility for ensuring the house is animal-proof. It is much easier to kill these innocent vulnerable creatures.
As for the noise... well, it looks like a lot of people don't mind loud music, parties, obnoxious loud neighbors or non-stop working TVs in their homes, but an occasional pitter-patter of a 1lb animal annoys them.
Besides, there is NO WAY that squirrels are CONSTANTLY running and waking you up. During the day they are mostly outside, and at night they are fast asleep. And even when they run occasionally, it is not louder than the TV in your living room.
I, myself, had squirrels living over my head, and I know that they are gone most of the day, like good tenants. Only coming home to sleep, or in bad weather.
But regardless of the sound preferences,
it is the home owner's responsibility to animal-proof their house.
And it is a human's moral responsibility to find ways of removing the animal in a humane way, without hurting it. And it is possible!
Humans are the most invasive irresponsible destructive and cruel species!
PS. For your information:
1. squirrels and rats aren't the same. They belong to completely different families: Sciuridae and Muridae respectively.
2. actually, rats are cute, too. But to see that it takes an above average mind.
3. yes, we save rats, too, because EVERY ANIMAL IS PRECIOUS! Regardless of whether one considers it "cute" or not.