The following article When Squirrels are Being Pests is republished from Phoenix Pest Pros Blog. There are four types of squirrels commonly found in Florida - the Southern Flying Squirrel, Mexican Gray Squirrel, Fox Squirrel, and the Eastern Gray Squirrel. They're also called tree squirrels and because they typically spend most of their time in trees. It doesn't matter which type you see around your house, all of them can become a pest that you may need to deal with. Some of the more common problems with squirrels are that they like to get into bird feeders, go down chimneys, and nest in attics or anywhere in a building they can get into. Once inside you'll probably have to call for a wildlife removal specialist to get them out. The best thing is to plan ahead and cover any areas where they can potentially get in. If a squirrel gets into your chimney and can't get out, you may have to open the flue so it can drop down into the fireplace. Before you do, have a plan for getting it your of your home. Or, if you can get on the roof,
Tips to prevent squirrels from becoming a problem:Don’t feed squirrels. Tree squirrels that are hand-fed may lose their fear of humans and become aggressive when they don’t get food as expected. These semi-tame squirrels also might approach a neighbor who doesn’t share your appreciation of the animals, which would likely result in them dying. Eliminate access into buildings. Repair or replace loose or rotting siding, boards, and shingles. When inspecting a building for potential access points, use a tall ladder to view areas in shadows. A pair of low-power (4x) binoculars can be a helpful inspection tool to use before making a dangerous climb. Inspecting the attic or crawl space during the day may reveal light shining through otherwise unnoticed cracks and holes. Native squirrels chew holes 2 inches in diameter; Eastern gray and fox squirrels chew open baseball size holes. Cover the dryer vent with a commercial vent screen designed to exclude animals without lint clogging. Other vents can be covered with ¼-inch hardware cloth. Some roof-vent caps contain a flimsy, lightweight inner screen that a squirrel can easily penetrate. If the screen has been penetrated, it may be better to replace the whole vent cap with something stronger. Because squirrels are excellent leapers, keep tree and shrub branches 10 feet away from the sides and tops of buildings. To prevent squirrels from climbing a tree to access a building, install one of the barriers shown in Figure 6. Remove vines that provide squirrels a way to climb structures and hide their access points. Prevent squirrels from accessing buildings via utility wires by installing 3-foot sections of 2- to 3-inch diameter plastic pipe barriers. Carefully split the pipe lengthwise with a saw, tin snips, or a sharp utility knife, spread the opening apart, and place it over the wire. The pipe will rotate on the wire and the squirrel will tumble off. Do not attempt to install pipe over high-voltage wires. Contact your local electricity/utility company for assistance. Squirrels in the AtticIf a squirrel gets into your attic, you'll want to have it removed.
Squirrel Removal and Control
The best choice is to call Phoenix Pest Management & Wildlife Control, who is trained in trapping and removal, and abides by the state and local laws and restrictions regarding squirrel relocation or elimination. Information sourced from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
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