Squirrels are one of the wonderful creatures that look cute enough. They are enjoyable while playing with each other, but these little creatures can spoil your living environment. Squirrels are known to steal food products and will stay in your house if it seems to be the best place to live. Unfortunately, having these creatures in your home will bring uninvited guests like snakes because squirrels act as prey for snakes. Though they are not harmful to human health, avoiding them inside your living area is better. In this article, we will discuss why getting rid of American Red Squirrels is hard.
What are American Red Squirrels?
The American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), sometimes known as the pine squirrel, is one of three tree squirrels now included in the genus Tamiasciurus. These species are also known as North American red squirrels and chickarees.
The squirrel is a tiny, diurnal animal weighing 200–250 g (7.1–8.8 oz) that guards a year-round private territory. However, except for the Pacific coast of the United States, where its relative, the Douglas squirrel, is present, it is extensively spread worldwide anywhere conifers are plentiful.
Why is it Hard to Get Rid of the American Red Squirrel?
Red squirrels are primarily active during the day but occasionally up at night. Their peak activity times in the spring and summer are in the mornings and afternoons. Still, as fall approaches and they begin to prepare for the winter food shortages, they become extremely active throughout the day. Both male and female squirrels will fiercely protect their territories from rivals. American red squirrels are solitary animals, except for mothers and their young. They talk constantly and emit shrieking, growling, and chattering noises.
Red squirrels are herbivores who consume hazelnuts, acorns, seeds from other deciduous trees, mushrooms, sprouts, berries, and fruit. Conifer cones are stripped for the seeds inside, and occasionally tree bark is stripped to get the sap. Additionally, American red squirrels will eat mushrooms, willow leaves, poplar buds and catkins, bearberry blooms and berries, and animal products like bird eggs or even young snowshoe hare leverets.
With their lifestyle, a home will be the perfect place for them to stay safe for a long time. But unfortunately, these creatures are intelligent and are difficult to get rid of squirrels once infested.
How to get rid of Red Squirrels?
- Naphthalene, the active component in mothballs, is an excellent natural squirrel repellent that doesn’t result in injury, and the aroma is identical to that of cigarette smoke.
- There are various varieties of squirrel traps, both lethal and non-fatal ones. Most large agricultural supply or hardware stores carry single and numerous animal traps.
- Squirrel bait can help you eliminate red squirrels, including woodchucks, rats, and squirrels. Be sure to store poison for squirrels out of children’s reach because these pest chemicals are poisonous to pets, kids, and other small animals.
Conclusion
The above listed are the best methods to get rid of squirrels. I hope this article will help find out why getting rid of American red squirrels is hard. If you cannot eliminate these species using these methods, hire a professional pest control service. The experts will help you eliminate all the species in your place.