Squirrel Identification & Prevention

What are squirrels?

Squirrels are a type of rodent, and like all rodents, they have large, sharp front incisors that grow continuously throughout their lives. Fox squirrels and Eastern gray squirrels are the two species most common throughout the state of Texas. Both species are a type of tree squirrel and, therefore, are commonly found in wooded areas or suburban and urban areas where trees are present. The squirrel’s most well-known physical feature is its long, bushy tail used for balancing, as they leap from tree branch to tree branch. Squirrels have dark eyes and ears that stand up off of their heads, and depending on their species, the fur covering their long bodies ranges from light gray to a dark-reddish brown in color. Dallas, TX wildlife experts can help you keep squirrels out of your home.

Are squirrels dangerous?

There are several reasons why squirrels are dangerous and should not live in large numbers on your property or inside your home. Squirrels are wild animals; when threatened or cornered, they will defend themselves or their young by scratching or biting. Squirrels are hosts for disease-transmitting parasites like fleas and ticks. When living inside a home or other structure, they will contaminate surfaces and food sources with their saliva, urine, and excrement.

To prevent their teeth from overgrowing, squirrels chew on almost anything they come across. Inside a home, this means they will chew through and damage wires, pipes, flooring, and sheetrock. Damage that squirrels cause in or around your home may trigger fires or cause water damage. In your yard, they will become a nuisance as they dig through trash, compost bins, and gardens foraging for food.

Why do I have a squirrel problem?

Yards with trees or close to wooded areas will have squirrels scampering around. As our habitats have merged, squirrels have become comfortable living near and sometimes even with us. While they are mainly outdoor pests, they sometimes move inside, seeking refuge from very hot or cold weather. They usually find their way inside after gaining access to the roof by a tree branch or utility line.

Where will I find squirrels?

Outside squirrels prefer to nest up high in trees to stay out of view of predators. They create their nests in tree voids or on trees branches. Squirrels also find their way inside sheds and garages, nesting up high in the eaves. Inside homes, squirrels nest in upper levels, usually in chimneys, walls voids, or in attic spaces.

How do I get rid of squirrels?

For Texans looking for exceptional pest control services, turn to the locally owned and operated experts at Lonestar Safe Pest. We take pride in offering our residential and commercial pest control customers excellent customer service; customer satisfaction is our number one goal. Our experienced professionals understand the pest pressures Texas home and business owners face each day.

At Lonestar Safe Pest, we will work with you to eliminate pests from your property once and for all, using our modern pest control solutions. If you would like to learn more about our home pest control or commercial pest control services, reach out to Lonestar Safe Pest today!

How can I prevent squirrels in the future?

Protect your Texas property from squirrels with a combination of our professional wildlife control services and these helpful prevention tips:

• Harvest fruits and vegetables from garden areas, remove bird feeders from your property, and never feed squirrels.
• Cut tree branches back away from your roof.
• Keep tight-fitting lids on compost bins and trash cans.
• Place caps on chimneys, repair holes along the roofline, place mesh covers over vents, and replace loose window screens to keep squirrels out of your home.