EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL:

While many types of squirrels can cause nuisance problems, from red squirrels to flying squirrels, the Eastern Grays are the most common. They love to live in the attics of buildings, usually in the winter and later summer, when females give birth to their bi-annual litter of young. They are expert chewers, and will chew their way into your home, as well as chew on wires once inside. They primarily eat nuts and grains, and will store these in the attic or walls, along with nesting debris. They are most active in morning and early evening times. These squirrels typically only live a few years in the wild.

Interesting Gray Squirrel Facts:

• Gray squirrels are active from dawn to dusk, with most feeding occurring in the early morning, and then again in the mid-late afternoon. These tree squirrels usually feed on fruits, nuts, and other vegetation.
• Squirrels breed twice a year (usually around January and June) and have a 42 – 45 day gestation. They usually have 2 – 4 young that are weaned at 10 – 12 weeks and can live up to 4 years old in the wild.
• These rodents nest in tree cavities, leaf nests, and attics. Common entries to the home are roof vents, gable vents, soffit vents & gaps, construction gaps, eaves, and rotten fascia boards.
• While most trespassing animals are merely a nuisance they can pose a real threat to humans. It is estimated that 25 – 50% of all fires of unknown origin or deemed “accidental” are caused by all rodents gnawing electrical wires. Squirrels are known carriers of encephalitis and typhus, although they are generally not carriers of rabies.

Squirrel Damages & Exclusion Repairs

• Damage concerns include squirrels: chewing bark off trees and shrubs, raiding crops and bird feeders, and shorting out transformers while traveling power-lines, as well as exterior & structural damages to the home or building.
• In the fall and winter months squirrels enter dwellings for shelter, and in the spring they enter to raise young.  Attic damage can include heavily soiled (with squirrel feces & urine) and compressed insulation as well as damaged attic vents, fans, & electrical wiring.
• Wildlife technicians at Perimeter Wildlife Control utilize trapping techniques that include cage traps for live humane trapping and removal along with proper baiting for the type of squirrel & season. Live traps are set in the line of travel outside the den entrance, or inside the attic area after exclusion has been completed.
• Squirrels inside the home almost always come in through the fireplaces, chimneys, eaves, or rooflines and should only be removed by Georgia DNR certified personnel with the proper safety equipment & credentials.
• Poisons & Toxicants are illegal and are not to be used in squirrel control (animals may die in wall voids and cause odor problems). There may also be secondary poisoning hazards to pets (e.g. dogs that eat sick squirrels) and children may be bitten trying to assist sick animals.
• Trimming trees back 10-15 feet from the structure can help to prevent roof access, but is not a permanent solution. Perimeter Wildlife Control’s repair technicians use sheet metal, hardware-cloth, or wood to seal and close up entry holes to prevent future access. For chimney exclusions Perimeter Wildlife’s technicians install only NFPA 211 and BOCA approved chimney screens and rain-caps to prevent squirrel entry & fire hazards.

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