SQUIRRELS           

IDENTIFICATION:  There are 2 different types of tree climbing squirrels  found in Illinois.  They are the fox squirrel and eastern gray squirrel. While the gray squirrel tends to be a little smaller than the fox squirrel they both can weigh about 1-3 pounds.  The fox squirrels name is derived from its color that resembles a red fox.  Its fur is a mixture of grizzled gray and reddish orange in color with an  underside that is a solid color that ranges from bright orange brown to a pale yellow color.  The eastern gray squirrel is named after its color and has a paler gray or whitish underbelly.  They both have a large bushy tail with yellow or silvery-tipped hairs.

BEHAVIOR:  Squirrels are active between sunrise and sunset.  Their peak activity is the morning and late afternoon, looking for food and burying nuts that they locate during the winter months with their sense of smell.  They eat mostly hickory nuts, seeds, and acorns but will eat buds and flowers as well as tubers, bulbs, roots, insects, bird eggs, fruits, berries, and corn.  Fox squirrels become noticeably more active in September and October when they start burying food.  A single squirrel may bury thousands of nuts, acorns, and other food items.  Each squirrel will build and maintain 3 to 6 active nests and have a home range of about 5 acres in suburban locations.  Squirrels can jump distances up to 18 feet because of the force exerted by their strong rear legs.

DAMAGE CONCERNS:  Squirrels damage lawns by digging to bury or retrieve nuts, acorns, seeds, or other foods.  They can ruin flowerbeds, trees, and shrubs through their foraging.  They will chew holes in the roof or soffet areas looking for new dens.  Squirrels can ruin insulation and chew electrical wires, causing fires, in attics.  They become very aggressive when defending their nests especially when there are young present.  They will take over bird feeders and live on birdseed.  Squirrels will travel on power lines and short out transformers interrupting electrical power to large portions of a community.

REPRODUCTION:  2 year old squirrels breed twice a year between December and January and again in April through June.  Their gestation period is 45 days with litters of 2-5 young being born.  Males do not help with the raising of the young.  Babies are born pink, blind, deaf, hairless and weighing a little under ½ an ounce.  They are weaned at about the same time their eyes open which is 9-12 weeks.  They are mature and ready to breed at 10-11 months of age.  Typically about 60% to 70% of all squirrels are killed in their first year.  Each year after that about half of the survivors are killed.  Only one percent of squirrels will live to reach an age of five years. 

DISEASES:  Squirrels can carry several species of ticks, mites, lice, or fleas.  Because a squirrels eyes are located on the side of their head they can’t concentrate their eyesight on the food that is being eaten.  This makes them more likely to bite if trying to feed them by hand.  All wild animals have bacteria and germs in their mouth.  If bitten seek medical help immediately.

T&C Trapping, Inc. offers complete home and business inspections that are guaranteed to help minimize any future animal problems or to help solve any existing wildlife conflicts.  We have over 16 years experience in installing animal prevention devices, trapping nuisance wildlife, and repairing homes due to animal damage.  Please feel free to contact us anytime for advice, instructions, or estimates.

815-467-4039

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