While squirrel kitten season may sound like the next adorable television program for kids, it can actually be quite a nuisance for New England residents. Squirrels do not hibernate through the winter like some animals, but they become much more active when the spring comes around and the weather starts to warm up. Breeding occurs most frequently during the spring and late summer and then baby squirrels, called kittens, are born. During this squirrel season, squirrels look for shelter to nest and nurse, so they may be more likely to move into attics and crawl spaces that are easily accessible.
Squirrel Kitten Litters
Squirrels generally have litters of about five, but these small litters can add up quickly! The two most common New England squirrels are eastern gray squirrels and flying squirrels. Eastern gray squirrels nurse their young for about ten weeks, flying squirrel for about three months. The young squirrels typically do not venture far from the nest while nursing.
Dangers of Squirrel Infestations
Squirrel season infestations can cause excessive noise that can be frightening and annoying. However, squirrels can pose real dangers to homeowners as well. Squirrels can chew through electrical wires and utility cables, causing residents to get shocked. Squirrels have to chew continually to wear down the teeth, so squirrels may also cause damage that can make sheds, ceilings, and walls structurally unsound. Additionally, squirrels can carry parasites and diseases that can endanger home residents and pets.
Squirrel Trapping and Removal
Home residents should not attempt to remove living squirrels from a home, especially during mating seasons. Squirrels may defend their nest and young, injuring residents. Residents may also cause harm to the squirrels and their young. Pest control professionals understand the best ways to capture and remove squirrels to protect the squirrels, residents, and the environment as much as possible while eliminating infestations once and for all.
Dead Squirrel Removal
One of the worst side effects of a squirrel season infestation is having a squirrel die somewhere in the home. Dead squirrels can cause a terrible smell and can be difficult and messy to remove. Home residents may also have difficulty actually locating and removing the squirrel, as squirrels can tunnel through walls. Pest control professionals will be able to locate and remove dead squirrels, cleaning and sanitizing the area so that home residents are kept safe and comfortable.
Squirrel Prevention
Squirrels can gain entry into a home through holes as small as a thumbnail. Pest control professionals can help home residents to locate and seal all possible entry points so that squirrels are not able to enter the home. Pest control professionals may also use special methods to keep squirrels out of the home, depending on the characteristics of the home.
Some methods that home residents can use to keep squirrels out of homes include:
- Keeping doors and windows shut in the spring unless there are screens
- Installing chimney caps
- Replacing torn and broken screens
- Placing bungee cords over trash cans to limit food sources for wildlife
- Sealing holes in outside walls