• How to Locate & Detect

• Property Damage

• Human Health Issues

As rodents, squirrels are constantly looking for food and produce many offspring – two litters per year (spring and late summer), with an average of 5-6 per litter. This activity can result in significant damage to buildings and major headaches for business and home owners. They are generally considered to be the most common problem-makers among urban wildlife.

GENERAL BIOLOGY & BEHAVIOUR

• Members of the rodent family

• Eastern gray squirrel is the most common tree squirrel: usually gray or brownish-gray with a white or lighter grey belly, or completely black

• Red squirrel is smaller and has reddish brown fur with white underparts

• Squirrels are active during daylight hours and are primarily herbivores, feeding on roots, stems, bark, shoots, leaves, fruits, nuts, seeds, fungi, flower bulbs, and occasionally insects

• They have rootless teeth that keep growing; they must gnaw continuously to wear them down

• Although they do not hibernate, they will spend long hours in their nests during winter

• Red squirrels will stay in their nests for days since they have food stored, whereas grays will go out of their nests every day.

• Babies (pups) do not venture out of the nest until seven to eight weeks and are not weaned until 10 to 12 weeks

• Their average life span is five to eight years

• Red squirrels can enter a building at ground level and work their way up to the attic where they will build their nests

• Gray squirrels usually enter from the roof or higher up the building, often through chimneys, unscreened vents or openings left by loose or rotten boards

• Squirrel nests are usually made out of leaves, grass, shredded bark and insulation

• Entrance holes are usually very hard to find as they can be as small as a golf ball

• Look for gnawing on the soffit, vents, siding, roof trusses and electrical wires

• Red squirrels can enter a building at ground level and work their way up to the attic where they will build their nests

• Gray squirrels usually enter from the roof or higher up the building, often through chimneys, unscreened vents or openings left by loose or rotten boards

• Squirrel nests are usually made out of leaves, grass, shredded bark and insulation

• Entrance holes are usually very hard to find as they can be as small as a golf ball

• Look for gnawing on the soffit, vents, siding, roof trusses and electrical wires

• Squirrels attract ticks and fleas, especially in warmer weather. If the squirrels leave the nest for an extended period, these ticks and fleas will look for new hosts (i.e. people and pets).

• Although usually frightened of people, a mother squirrel can be quite aggressive if she perceives danger or is separated from her babies

• Squirrels are very swift and can move or attack quickly if threatened