Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

Squirrel
Genus Sciurus

Where public opinion has been polled, squirrels generally rank first as problem makers. Regardless, they possess many traits that engage and fascinate wildlife observers.

Habitat: Tree squirrels depend on trees, especially oak trees, for habitat. They have begun to adapt to environmental changes, however, by making use of pilings at marinas and nest boxes set up for other animals.

Diet: The diet of the squirrel includes acorns, nuts, flowers, fruits, wild berries, and growing buds on the terminal ends of branches.

Public Health Issues Associated with Squirrels

· Squirrels can carry disease organisms of potential threat to humans, but squirrels have rarely been documented as transmitting these diseases.

Problems Associated with Squirrels

• Squirrels often cause damage by nesting in buildings, digging in lawns, eating ornamental plants and bulbs, and stealing food from birdfeeders.

Solutions

• Inspect attics to find openings, find where the nest is, and determine whether there are babies. If the squirrel has left and there are no babies, seal up the hole using one-quarter to one-half inch mesh hardware cloth. Extend the metal patch six inches beyond the hole so that the squirrel cannot gnaw its way back in.

• Install a one-way door so that squirrels can exit but have no way to re-enter.

• Do not try to smoke a squirrel out of a chimney.

• Include bafflers on birdfeeder poles to discourage squirrels from raiding birdseed in feeders.

• Hang feeders from tree branches on an eight- to ten-foot line. Squirrels will have a harder time raiding these feeders.

• You can protect small fruit and nut trees by netting the entire tree for a short period of time.

• If you have squirrels in an attic or garage, obtain dried ferret fecal matter (Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center can often provide this), put it in small netted sacks, and place it around the area.