Squirrels

What do squirrels look like?

The most common type of squirrel in our area is the tree squirrel. They are typically a light gray to yellow, a shade of red, or brown in color. Their belly is usually lighter than the rest of their body. Tree squirrels have a distinctive long, bushy tail that they use for balance; their body is covered in a thick, short coat. Adult’s head and body generally range from 6-15 inches in length with their tail adding another 4-14 inches to their total body length.

Where do squirrels live?

Squirrels live in any area where trees are present. They will travel through trees, along utility lines and poles, and jump from house to house. When living outside, squirrels can be found nesting in the cavities of trees; however, in the fall, squirrels can sometimes seek shelter inside homes, garages, sheds, and other buildings where they will become quite a nuisance when they nest inside chimneys, attics, wall voids, and crawl spaces. Squirrels are most active early in the morning and during the afternoon hours when they will actively feed on and gather food. They typically feed on things like bark, fruit, nuts, seeds, bulbs, insects, and seeds.

Are squirrels dangerous?

Yes, squirrels are dangerous to have invading your home. They can transmit serious diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella; and they can introduce other dangerous parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites to your home and property. Squirrels will also cause a lot of structural damage to your home and destroy personal items that are stored within it.

Damages squirrels cause inside

Squirrels can cause a lot of damage to both the interior and exterior of your home. They will chew through the exterior of your home in order to make their own personal entrance and exit holes. Inside, the damage from chewing persists as they will chew through wires, pipes, drywall, insulation, flooring, and storage boxes. Squirrels can also damage personal items like clothing, and they will help themselves to food stored within your home contaminating it as they feed. Squirrels that enter into garages and sheds can cause damages to vehicles, lawn mowers, and other like items.

Squirrel control

If squirrels are causing problems on your property or have invaded your home, the best way to control them is with the help of a professional squirrel control expert. At Pine State Pest Solutions, our wildlife control services include a thorough inspection, exclusion measures, and humane trapping. We will always follow all Maine regulations when removing squirrels and other wildlife from your property.

If squirrels have decided to ditch the tree and nest in your Maine home, contact the squirrel control professionals at Pine State Pest Solutions today to see how we can help!

Squirrel prevention tips

There are several changes that you can make to your home and property to make it less attractive to squirrels. First, it is very important to not purposely feed squirrels or other wildlife on your property. If you have bird feeders, place them away from your home. Trim back trees and bushes away from the exterior of your home, fix holes and gaps that are found in its exterior, place chimney caps on all chimneys, and repair loose or broken roof shingles. It is also a good idea to make sure that doors to outbuildings on your property like garages and sheds are not left open for long periods of time.