Squirrels
Solving an infestation problem involving squirrels is complicated at best and since
the rodents have managed to adapt to and overcome each and every new
technology found to combat them, the control methods we use must reflect an
understanding of the squirrel's habitat requirements, reproductive capabilities,
food habits, life history, behavior, senses, movements, and the dynamics of its
population structure. Without this knowledge, both time and money are wasted,
and the chances of failure are greatly increased.
The 2 arboreal (adept at living in trees) rodents most responsible for infestations
and the accompanying damage found in the Central Florida metropolitan areas are:
Squirrels came over to the United States as stowaways on the ships of early English
settlers and have since boomed across the country due to their adaptive nature,
and the varying terrain and climate. Today, squirrels are found in large number in
every corner of the country, causing such worries as overpopulation in the
midwest to an estimated one power outage a day minimum in New York City.
Habitat
Squirrels are comfortable occupying both leaf nests and voids in trees (including
palms) and are amazingly adaptive to any arboreal habitat that can provide
sufficient harborage and food. Once squirrels find an entry point into homes,
businesses, or multi-unit buildings and become established, they readily breed and
thrive.
Food Habits
Contrary to popular belief, squirrels are omnivorous and will feed on insects, bird
eggs, lizard eggs, nesting birds, lizards and other animal material (flying squirrels are
voracious consumers of animal materials) as well as the usual acorns, nuts, seeds
and palm berries, oranges and other citrus that make up over 85% of their diets.
Reproduction and Development
Squirrels are rodents, and like their cousins rats and mice, are very successful
reproducers. A squirrel becomes sexually active and breeds in the first year. They
will produce offspring in December/January and again in June/July. The young are
born about 45 days after mating and the female usually gives birth to an average of
3 babies. At birth they are hairless, blind, and their ears are closed. Newborns
weigh about 1/2 an ounce at birth and 3 to 4 ounces at 5 weeks. Young begin to
explore outside the nest at about the time they are weaned at 10 to 12 weeks. At
weaning they are around half of their adult weight.
Foraging Behavior
Squirrels usually start foraging shortly after sunrise. Food items that are too big to
be eaten on the spot are carried to a protected location for consumption and
when food is plentiful some food is stored in caches near the squirrel's nest.
This hoarding behavior is why squirrels can survive in a sealed up home or business
for a surprisingly long time. They have a strong tendency to avoid new objects in
their environment and this neophobia can influence control efforts, for it may take
a few days before they will approach a trap. Since they have access to hoarded
food, traps with food bait are much less attractive unless properly placed.
When necessary, squirrels will travel considerable distances. They may live in the
landscaping of one residence and feed at another. In times of dire need, squirrels
can range up 50 miles in search of a good habitat.
They can often be seen in the mornings and evenings running along fences, roof
lines, patio screens and running along overhead utility lines. They may live in trees,
such as palms, or in attics, and travel to a food source. Traditional baiting or
trapping on the ground may intercept very few squirrels unless bait and/or traps
are placed at the very points that the squirrels traverse from above to a food
resource on the ground.
Squirrel Senses
All five of a squirrel's senses are in tune to enable a high chance of survival in a
world where it resides very low on the food chain.
The squirrel is well-equipped to survive in any location here in Central Florida,
rural or urban. Although the dangers may be different, the escape methods are
similar and the food sources are just as plentiful.
Signs of Rodent Infestation
There can be no doubt that rodents are one if not the most costly of pests that
affect greater Orlando and Central Florida. They cause damage into the tens of
millions of dollars and as we grow as a state their commensal nature will allow them
to grow right along with us.
Diseases
Although squirrels are not considered a great threat as a vector for disease, there
have been cases of squirrel droppings transmitting leptospirosis and salmonella.
There are also rare cases naming squirrels as carriers of rabies and the West Nile
Virus, although neither have ever been proven to have been transmitted to
humans. Typhus, on rare occasion, has been reported as being associated with
flying squirrels in the United States.
Solving an infestation problem involving squirrels is complicated at best and since
the rodents have managed to adapt to and overcome each and every new
technology found to combat them, the control methods we use must reflect an
understanding of the squirrel's habitat requirements, reproductive capabilities,
food habits, life history, behavior, senses, movements, and the dynamics of its
population structure. Without this knowledge, both time and money are wasted,
and the chances of failure are greatly increased.
The 2 arboreal (adept at living in trees) rodents most responsible for infestations
and the accompanying damage found in the Central Florida metropolitan areas are:
- The Eastern Gray Squirrel (sciurus carolinensis) measures 16 to 20 inches
and weigh from 1 1/4 pounds (567 g) to 1 3/4 pounds (794 g). They vary
widely in color but here in Florida, they are a grayish brown with darker fur
on the feet and muzzle and are a light brown to cream color on their
underbellies. The Eastern Gray is the primary culprit at work in home
damage in this area of Florida. - The Southern Flying Squirrel (glaucomys volans) is 8 to 10 inches long and
shades of gray or brown above and lighter below. A sharp line of
demarcation separates the darker upper color from the lighter belly. The
most distinctive characteristics of flying squirrels are the broad webs of
skin connecting the fore and hind legs at the wrists, and the distinctly
flattened tail.
Squirrels came over to the United States as stowaways on the ships of early English
settlers and have since boomed across the country due to their adaptive nature,
and the varying terrain and climate. Today, squirrels are found in large number in
every corner of the country, causing such worries as overpopulation in the
midwest to an estimated one power outage a day minimum in New York City.
Habitat
Squirrels are comfortable occupying both leaf nests and voids in trees (including
palms) and are amazingly adaptive to any arboreal habitat that can provide
sufficient harborage and food. Once squirrels find an entry point into homes,
businesses, or multi-unit buildings and become established, they readily breed and
thrive.
Food Habits
Contrary to popular belief, squirrels are omnivorous and will feed on insects, bird
eggs, lizard eggs, nesting birds, lizards and other animal material (flying squirrels are
voracious consumers of animal materials) as well as the usual acorns, nuts, seeds
and palm berries, oranges and other citrus that make up over 85% of their diets.
Reproduction and Development
Squirrels are rodents, and like their cousins rats and mice, are very successful
reproducers. A squirrel becomes sexually active and breeds in the first year. They
will produce offspring in December/January and again in June/July. The young are
born about 45 days after mating and the female usually gives birth to an average of
3 babies. At birth they are hairless, blind, and their ears are closed. Newborns
weigh about 1/2 an ounce at birth and 3 to 4 ounces at 5 weeks. Young begin to
explore outside the nest at about the time they are weaned at 10 to 12 weeks. At
weaning they are around half of their adult weight.
Foraging Behavior
Squirrels usually start foraging shortly after sunrise. Food items that are too big to
be eaten on the spot are carried to a protected location for consumption and
when food is plentiful some food is stored in caches near the squirrel's nest.
This hoarding behavior is why squirrels can survive in a sealed up home or business
for a surprisingly long time. They have a strong tendency to avoid new objects in
their environment and this neophobia can influence control efforts, for it may take
a few days before they will approach a trap. Since they have access to hoarded
food, traps with food bait are much less attractive unless properly placed.
When necessary, squirrels will travel considerable distances. They may live in the
landscaping of one residence and feed at another. In times of dire need, squirrels
can range up 50 miles in search of a good habitat.
They can often be seen in the mornings and evenings running along fences, roof
lines, patio screens and running along overhead utility lines. They may live in trees,
such as palms, or in attics, and travel to a food source. Traditional baiting or
trapping on the ground may intercept very few squirrels unless bait and/or traps
are placed at the very points that the squirrels traverse from above to a food
resource on the ground.
Squirrel Senses
All five of a squirrel's senses are in tune to enable a high chance of survival in a
world where it resides very low on the food chain.
- sight- the placement of a squirrel's eyes allows it a wide range of view
without turning its head, so wide, in fact, that a squirrel can clearly see
something directly behind it.
- smell- the nose is used to determine a safe nesting area or territory, find a
way back to the nest, distinguish other squirrels or possible mates, find
suitable food sources, and return to food hoarded or hidden away, even
when buried underground.
- hearing- an excellent sense of hearing is used to quickly and safely elude
would-be predators.
- touch- general, a safe nesting area is going to be dark and secluded, tactile
hairs on the face and paws are used to explore and travel safely in such
areas.
- taste- squirrels have a strong sense of taste and, although omnivorous, they
normally seek out nuts, vegetables or berries.
The squirrel is well-equipped to survive in any location here in Central Florida,
rural or urban. Although the dangers may be different, the escape methods are
similar and the food sources are just as plentiful.
Signs of Rodent Infestation
- scratching or chewing noise in areas of the attic.
- smudge marks, the result of oil and dirt rubbing off of their fur as they
brush up against objects as they move from one place to another). - dogs or cats paying undue attention to the attic, wall voids and crawl
spaces - droppings, urine, or tracks on the floor
- chewed through food containers or water bottles
- actual damage (i.e. water leaks from gnawed plumbing, loss of cooling in
certain rooms and/or insulation being found blowing out of air vents, lights
& electrical sockets not working etc.) - chewing on citrus and other fruit and vegetable plants
- flu and/or allergy like symptoms including asthma, bronchitis & other
respiratory ailments. - recurring parasitic infestations of the home or business ( primarily fleas and
ticks.
There can be no doubt that rodents are one if not the most costly of pests that
affect greater Orlando and Central Florida. They cause damage into the tens of
millions of dollars and as we grow as a state their commensal nature will allow them
to grow right along with us.
Diseases
Although squirrels are not considered a great threat as a vector for disease, there
have been cases of squirrel droppings transmitting leptospirosis and salmonella.
There are also rare cases naming squirrels as carriers of rabies and the West Nile
Virus, although neither have ever been proven to have been transmitted to
humans. Typhus, on rare occasion, has been reported as being associated with
flying squirrels in the United States.
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