Serving Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky

Squirrels

The squirrel is a small or medium-sized rodent. They cannot digest cellulose and must rely on foods rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Early spring is the hardest time of year for squirrels since buried nuts begin to sprout and are no longer available for the squirrel to eat, and new food sources have not become available yet. During these times squirrels rely heavily on the buds of trees, mainly those of the Silver Maple. Squirrels are omnivores (consume both plants & animals). They eat a wide variety of plant food, including nuts, seeds, conifer cones, fruits, fungi, and green vegetation. They also eat insects and an occasional dead carcass. Ground and tree squirrels are typically most active during the daytime. Adult squirrels normally live alone but will share their nest with other squirrels in severe cold weather to conserve body heat. Once the temperature rises, the guests will be on their way.

Squirrels communicate through a series of chirps. The frequency and the duration of the notes communicate everything from laughter to alarm. These sounds, when used in conjunction with tail gestures, form the basis for squirrel communication.

Squirrels are generally clever and persistent animals. In residential neighborhoods they are notorious for eating out of bird feeders, digging in potted plants either to bury or recover seeds, and inhabiting sheltered areas including attics and basements. While many companies sell bird feeders which are supposedly "squirrel-proof", very few of them really are. Although expert climbers, and primarily spending most of their time in trees, they thrive in urban environments that are largely free of trees.

Squirrels are considered pests because of their propensity to chew on various edible and inedible objects. This characteristic trait aids in maintaining sharp teeth and because their teeth grow continuously, prevents over-growth. They are often the cause of electricity outages. The animals will enter transformers or capacitors looking for food. The squirrels are then electrocuted and cause a short circuit that shuts down equipment. They are one of the number causes of house fires due to them chewing on wires in attics.

Urban squirrels have learned to get a great deal of food from over-generous humans. Hand feeding is not recommended, however, because squirrels may carry plague or other animal-borne diseases. Even if they do not carry disease, they often have a hard time telling fingertips from food, and bites are painful.

Squirrels are the most active when the mating season begins (one in January, and a second in late May and early June). The males chase after females and after other males. This takes place through trees at top speed. They perform some of the most breathtaking acrobatics imaginable.

After a gestation period of 40 – 45 days females give birth to a litter of normally four (4) babies. This can vary with climate and location.

Common characteristics of Squirrels (Gray Squirrel) in our area:

They are most successful wild urban animal and the cleanest of all rodents. They range in size from 16 – 20 inches long and weigh up to 1 ½ pounds. Squirrels are a mixture of brown, black and white - belly fur is white or light gray.

Adult Squirrel

BugBusters has fixed prices to trap and remove Squirrels:

$300.00 for one week.

$200.00 for any additional weeks.

Prices subject to change without notice.