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Tree Squirrel Facts |
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Fox squirrels are about 18 to 24 inches long from nose to tip of tail. They weigh about 2 pounds and have a large, bushy tail with yellow-tipped hairs. Fox squirrels are usually a grizzled rusty brown on top and buff to bright rust below. Fox squirrels can vary in color from silver-gray to black. Gray squirrels are about 17 to 19 inches long from nose to tip of tail. They are typically gray on top with buff underfur, although some have blackish fur. Their bushy tails are gray with silvery-tipped hair. Gray squirrels are a pale gray on their underparts. Flying squirrels are much smaller (9 to 10 inches long including tail) than fox and gray squirrels and have a membrane of skin that extends from the wrist of the front leg to the ankle of the hind leg. They have a horizontally flattened tail that serves as a rudder during glides. Flying squirrels have large eyes. Their fur is long and silky gray to brown on their back and creamy white on their belly. Flying squirrels are most active at night, while both fox and gray squirrels are most active in morning and late afternoon. Adult fox squirrels breed during December and January, and sometimes again in early summer. They dwell primarily in tree cavities and leaf nests. About three to six young are born after a 45-day gestation period. Each newborn squirrel weighs about 1/2 ounce. The young are weaned at 3 months of age. Fox squirrels do not hibernate, although they spend much time in their nests during the winter. Fox squirrels generally live from four to seven years but can live as long as 12 years. Fox squirrels eat mostly fruits, nuts and buds of trees. Field corn and soybeans are eaten in the fall if available. Squirrels occasionally eat berries, insects, fungi and carrion. Fox squirrels are prey to hawks, owls, snakes and many ground predators. Eastern gray squirrels have a litter of two to three young in spring. Another litter is born in late summer. The young are weaned at 50 days but those in the second litter stay with the female over the winter. Acorns and other nuts are the main food of gray squirrels. Eastern gray squirrels nest in tree cavities or leaf nests in mature trees. Southern flying squirrels breed during late winter and again in early summer. A single litter usually produces three to four young.
A survey of the National Pest Control Association voted the tree squirrel as the number one nuisance animal in the United States. Tree squirrels can cause a variety of problems, including damage to trees, flowers, lawns, gardens, vehicles and homes. They eat acorns, nuts, fruit or vegetables in home gardens and become a nuisance at bird feeders. Squirrels can cause extensive damage to attic insulation or walls and gnaw on electrical wires in homes and vehicles, creating a fire hazard. Fox and gray squirrels normally crush the shells of nuts to enter them. Flying squirrels usually cut a smooth circular or oval opening in the shell wall. On heavy shells of larger nuts, flying squirrels will make a second opening or remove an entire end. Flying squirrels prefer to eat acorns and other nuts, seeds, fruits, berries, buds, flower blossoms and tree bark. Occasionally, insects, bird eggs and nestlings, mice and carrion are eaten.
Fox squirrels damage attics by chewing through electrical wires and soiling or tearing insulation. Evidence of fox and gray squirrels inside attics include noise (Click here for Squirrel Sounds) from gnawing or running during the day. In contrast, flying squirrels and rats can be heard squeaking and making noise during the night. Other
signs of squirrels include droppings,
If
a squirrel is seen entering a building or by your own inspection you have
made this conclusion.
Excluding squirrels from gardens and lawns with squirrel repellant. Tree squirrels cause a variety of damage to gardens, flowers and lawns. They chew on spring-planted potted plants, bury nuts in turf or landscaped areas, dig up seeds and bulbs of garden vegetables and flowers, and eat ripened fruits and grains. Wire mesh fences topped with electrified wire or mesh enclosures may be practical for keeping squirrels out of small areas. Electrified wires are not recommended for use where children or pets occur. Squirrel
repellants like Hot Pepper Wax or Ropel Preventing
squirrel travel on utility line wires Metal collars can be used to encircle trees and power poles to prevent squirrel travel. Collars should be at least 2 feet wide and placed 6 to 8 feet above the ground. Collar edges should be overlapped and connected by springs to allow for tree growth.
Squirrels can be prevented from climbing trees and gaining access to roofs by trimming limbs 8 feet away from buildings. Overhanging limbs may require a greater amount of trimming.
Cage
squirrel traps should be 18 to 24 inches long with a least 5 x 5 inch door.
Place traps outside and very near the squirrel's entry hole. If placed on
a roof, traps should be securely fastened and protected from extremes of
heat or cold by a cover that is not accessible to the squirrel as it
reaches through the cage . Bait the trap with corn, whole pecans in shell
and our own Hug-A-Nut Squirrel Paste Bait. Our bait and pecans are
most productive when used as a combination bait.
Squirrels that are causing damage in rural areas can be safely removed by shooting with a shotgun or small-caliber rifle. It is not advisable to shoot squirrels in urban areas because of the obvious dangers to animals and people. Also, most municipalities have ordinances against the discharge of firearms within the city limits
Fox squirrels are susceptible to parasites, including ticks, fleas, bot flies and mange mites. The latter cause a disease called sarcoptic mange that produces scabs and severe hair loss. The scabs become thick and wrinkled, giving the squirrel a startling appearance. The disease can cause death by exposure. Sarcoptic mange mites typically are species-specific so mange does not ordinarily spread from squirrels to people or pets. Report to authorities any squirrel that acts extremely aggressive or is convulsive. Ordering Information
MaxCatch
Catchmaster
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but
don't confuse them
leaves,
twigs, shells, hulls, pits or nesting materials
can
be distinguished from the splayed toes in the
or
masonry walls that have a
under
eaves or gables. Tree squirrels
close
to the hole to capture any squirrels
is
very promising and an ideal trap for gutters. Simply excluding squirrels
will not work. You must relocate all of the squirrels that committed
the crime. Otherwise, they will break back in. Make sure that all
squirrels are outside the building before making it squirrel proof by
closing all the openings.
can
be used to treat seeds, bulbs
is
also used as a squirrel repellant. Also a motion
is
a fantastic squirrel repellant. Blast them with water.
and pipe
sleeves can be used to protect trees, transformers, bird feeders and other
aerial sites that have horizontal wires leading to them . Cut the plastic
pipe lengthwise, spread it open, and place it over the wire. The sleeves
should fit loosely so they rotate as the squirrel tries to traverse them.
Sleeves should be at least 18 to 24 inches long.
