Squirrel Removal & Control

Squirrels

Squirrels are a common sight across the nation, both in urban and rural areas. They may taunt your pets and cause damage in your yard while burying nuts. If they begin to get too close to your home for comfort, we can help. In the event that squirrels get into your home, we can help with this, too. In certain states, squirrels are actually protected by law and considered game animals, so it's important to know your state's laws when it comes to squirrels. Make sure you are complying with laws and get effective squirrel removal—call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today to address any and all squirrel problems.

 

 

 

 

Common Squirrel Damage

One of the most common squirrel complaints we receive is the damage they can cause inside your home—attics and inside walls are sought-after nesting areas for squirrels. Squirrels also:

  • Rip insulation to use for making nests
  • Soil rooms with urine and feces, both of which can be health hazards
  • Steal birdseed from feeders and scare songbirds off
  • Tease domestic pets like cats and dogs

How & Why to Get Rid of Squirrels

Squirrels are indubitably a nuisance—it seems like they're always scampering nearby. Leave the hard pest management job of squirrel removal to the professional technicians at  Wildlife X Team®. Before you call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007, there are some DIY landscape steps you can take, including restricting access to birdfeeders and applying squirrel repellents to the area. 

More About Squirrels 

Squirrels belong to the order “Rodentia.” With 1,650 species, it is the largest group of living mammals. Rodentia also comprises 40% of all present-day mammal species. There are over 365 species of squirrels in seven families, including the tree squirrel, ground squirrel, and flying squirrel. Many squirrel-like mammals, like the gopher, groundhog, and prairie dog, are also in the same family as squirrels.

Squirrels often forget where they buried their acorns, resulting in the growth of many oak trees! Squirrels will also pretend to bury nuts or acorns if they suspect a thief is watching.

Squirrel Mating & Birthing Season

Squirrels have two mating seasons per year: The first one is in the winter, between December and February. The second mating season is in summer, between June and August. The gestation period is about 6 weeks. Squirrels have on average 3 to 5 babies per mating season.

When squirrels are ready to have their babies, they are looking for a safe place to do so. Unfortunately, your home may be their perfect spot for that. Your walls, attic, or chimney may be calling their name.

Before you seal your home from squirrels, consider if there are baby squirrels inside. If you accidentally trap them in there, the mother squirrel will cause a lot of damage to your home trying to get the babies out, and the babies will die.

Squirrel Babies

The period of squirrel gestation varies from 33 days in the smaller species of pine squirrels, up to 60 days for the larger species such as the common gray and fox squirrels. Squirrels are usually born in the early spring. The average litter consists of four squirrels, but this varies with climate and location.  A second litter can occur in mid-summer if there is an adequate food supply. A female squirrel will choose the strongest male during mating season but is unlikely to breed with that male again. This is nature’s way of reducing inbreeding and preserving the species. A baby squirrel weighs approximately one ounce at birth and is about one inch long. Baby squirrels do not have hair or teeth and are virtually blind for the first six to eight weeks.

What Do Squirrels Look Like?

Gray squirrels come in many colors and are the most common color of squirrels. Brown and shades thereof are the second most common. There are also pure white and pure black squirrels, but both are simply variations of the gray squirrel. Did you know the common red squirrel can actually have an all-black coat? The Kaibab squirrel, located in a small area of the southwest United States, has a black body with a white tail.

When Are Squirrels Active?

In the summer, squirrels are most active two to three hours after sunrise. They'll then rest in the afternoon, resuming activity again two hours before sunset. The squirrel will retire to its nest well before dark and will rarely leave the nest once it is dark. In the winter, the squirrel will complete its daily activities between dawn and mid-day and will remain in or around the nest until the next day.

Squirrels are most active in late winter when the mating season begins. The males will chase females, as well as chase off other suitors. You may be familiar with this ritual, which occurs through the trees at top speed, while they perform some of the most impressive acrobatics known in the animal kingdom.

What Do Squirrels Eat?

The gray squirrel's diet consists of nuts, seeds, and fruit. It will eat bird eggs, bugs, and even an animal carcass if there is no other food available. The gray squirrel requires some salt in its diet and may find this salt in the soil along roads where snow and ice may have been. Squirrels chew on tree branches to sharpen and clean their teeth; that’s why you may see many small branches on the ground around large trees. They will also chew on power lines for the same reason, which has caused many major power outages. A squirrel’s brain is about the size of a walnut. The average adult squirrel needs to eat about a pound of food a week to maintain an active life.

During winter storms, or severe cold, the squirrel may not leave the nest for days, but the tree squirrel does not hibernate! An adult squirrel normally lives alone but will, in severe cold, share its nest with other squirrels to conserve body heat. Squirrels' eyes are located high and on each side of their head. This allows them a wide field of vision without turning their head. If a squirrel has taken up residence in your attic or crawl space, the only practical way to remove them is by trapping.

How Do Squirrels Mark Their Territory?

A squirrel will break the shell of a nut with its teeth, and clean the nut by licking it or rubbing on its face before it's buried. This applies a scent to the nut, which helps the squirrel find it later—even under a foot of snow. A tree squirrel's sweat glands are located on their feet, between the feet pads, and on their paws between the toes. When hot or excited, a squirrel will leave wet tracks on a dry surface. This scent is also used to mark the trees in their territory. If a squirrel’s nest becomes infested with fleas or other parasites, it will move to or build a new nest. This explains why there may be more nests than squirrels in a given area.

Where Do Squirrels Nest?

Though the gray squirrel has been known to build a nest in many unusual places, an attic or crawl space seems to be the most common. Squirrels have also built nests in vehicles, chimneys, barbecue grills, and under porches.

How Do Squirrels React to Danger?

When a squirrel senses danger, its first instinct is to stand motionless. If on the ground, it will race to the closest tree or other climbable objects to escape. If it is in a tree, it will circle the trunk with its body pressed tightly to the bark. The squirrel’s erratic path while crossing a street is an attempt to confuse the oncoming vehicle, thereby causing it to change direction. Unfortunately, this is the squirrel's biggest—and often last—mistake.

Can I remove squirrels from my home by myself?

We don’t recommend tackling squirrel removal as a DIY project. Their nests can be difficult to locate, and you don’t want to come face to face with a disrupted squirrel in your attic or crawlspace. The experts at Wildlife X Team® can safely and humanely remove the squirrels from your home.

What are the signs of squirrels in my home?

Common signs of squirrels in your home include scratching, scurrying, and rustling. You may also see chewed wires, insulation, and more in your home. Squirrel droppings in your home are another sign of their presence.

What do squirrels sound like in your house?

Squirrels are active during the daytime, so daytime noises are a good indication of squirrels in your home. Common squirrel sounds include scratching, scurrying, and rustling.

What should I do if I find the hole the squirrels made in my house?

If you find the hole the squirrels are using to enter your home, call the experts at Wildlife X Team®. You don’t want to plug the hole while there are still squirrels inside. They will die in your home and cause a very bad odor.

How do you prevent squirrel problems?

You can prevent squirrel problems by keeping your home sealed. Often, homes have small entry points that need to be caulked, especially around doors and windows. Also, keep all food sealed and properly stored, including pet food.

More Squirrel Facts

  • The male tree squirrel takes twice as long as the female to groom itself. They are the cleanest animal in the rodent family.
  • A squirrel’s teeth grow continuously. Their incisors will grow six inches per year but stay short due to the constant wear they receive.
  • The most common type of squirrel bite is a result of feeding a squirrel by hand. Never hold the food between your fingers; chances are very good that you will be bitten. A squirrel’s eyes are always looking for predators, and they rarely focus on what they are eating.
  • Squirrels communicate through a series of chirps. The frequency and the duration of the notes communicate everything from laughter to alarm. Their frequency range is normally between .01 kHz. and 10 kHz. (kilohertz). These sounds, when used in conjunction with tail gestures, form the basis for squirrel communication.
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  • If you have raccoons in your attic, garage, or other areas of your home, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today! Wildlife X Team are experts in raccoon removal and exclusion services.
  • Squirrel problems are rampant nationally. Squirrels can cause extensive damage in and around homes, including soiling floors and walls. Squirrels don't stand a chance against Wildlife X Team®'s trained professional staff.
  • Rodent problems are common for homeowners, but Wildlife X Team® can help you prevent rodents from getting in your walls or your attic. Keep rodents out of your home by calling today!
  • Removing and relocating bats is best left to professionals, as bats will bite and scratch if threatened. If you see signs of bats on your property or want to know how to get rid of bats from your attic and chimney, please call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007.
  • Although armadillos have no reason to get into houses, there is a lot of damage armadillos can cause. Their diet consists mostly of grubs and insects, but when they burrow, it can affect the very structure of buildings. Call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Whether you are facing a snake infestation on your property or just notice a single snake, call (817) 431-3007 at Wildlife X Team® today. Most snakes are harmless, some are venomous, and we can remove all kinds of snakes safely and quickly.
  • Birds can add a lot of enjoyment to the outdoor experience, but sometimes they cause trouble. If you're having an issue with problem birds like pigeons, starlings, or sparrows, give Wildlife X Team® a call at (817) 431-3007.
  • At Wildlife X Team®, we offer worry-free opossum removal and trapping. We can also repair any opossum damage.
  • Infamous for their defense mechanism, skunks are smelly creatures. This unique critter releases a scent to ward off predators and stay safe, and it smells offensive and can be dangerous.
  • Coyotes, a relative of the canine, are known for terrorizing livestock, and even household pets. Coyotes are often active at night, and homeowners often report the howling cries of these medium-sized creatures.
  • Badgers are notorious for having a bite that rivals their bark — despite their less-than-formidable size! Badgers have been known to fight animals as large as a bear!
  • Beaver damage is primarily to landscapes like riverbeds and lakesides. If you discover beaver damage in your property, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 to help relocate beavers and repair any damages caused by these flat-tailed critters.
  • Nocturnal creatures, bobcats will take down any prey necessary, especially livestock. Bobcats are territorial and will often return to the property they have claimed as their own, especially if there is a steady food source.
  • Chipmunks can be annoying and clever creatures, but they're no match for Wildlife X Team®. We offer chipmunk removal, and chipmunk damage repair services, plus we know how to keep chipmunks from coming back!
  • Fox landscape damage and feeding behaviors can affect homeowners' safety, so it's important to not approach a fox if you see one in the wild or on your property. Wildlife X Team® offers fox removal, fox trapping, and fox prevention. Call today!
  • Lizards, similar in appearance to snakes, can be frightening if you spot one in the wild or in your home, and although they don't typically attack residents, it's still good to not approach lizards.
  • Mole damage is most commonly found on landscapes, and sometimes humans don't even come into contact with them, but they definitely experience mole damage.
  • If you have discovered scorpion(s) in your garden or on your property, call us today for scorpion removal services.
  • Voles are not often spotted by humans, but vole damage is visible. For vole trapping, vole removal, and vole damage repair services, call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Infestations of bugs are common, so if you are facing an insect infestation, don't panic—we can help kill insects and get rid of them inside and outside your home.
  • Wild hog trapping and wild hog prevention are the most effective means of wild hog removal. Due to the aggressive nature of wild hogs, we do not recommend DIY wild hog trapping.
  • Termite infestations are common inside homes and on properties, so if you are dealing with insects, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today to get rid of your termite problem fast and effectively!
  • Bee and wasp infestations are common, so if you are facing a stinging insect infestation, don't panic — we can help get rid of them inside and outside your home.
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