The Secret Life of Squirrels: What You Didn’t Know About Them

Squirrels are often seen darting around your yard, chattering from tree branches, or scurrying across power lines. Though we may think of them as cute and harmless, these furry little creatures have a secret life that many of us don’t fully understand. Far from just being playful park residents, squirrels can actually cause significant damage to your property and even put your home at risk. In this blog post, we’re going to dive into some fascinating squirrel facts, uncovering the behaviors and traits of these seemingly innocent creatures. You’ll learn how they manage to sneak into your attic, why they’re so drawn to your garden, and how to protect your home from their unpredictable antics.

The Squirrel’s Mysterious World: What Are They Really Up To?

Squirrels are most commonly seen in parks, backyards, and wooded areas, but their secret lives are far more complex than simply foraging for food. Here are some squirrel facts that may surprise you:

1. Squirrels Are Excellent Navigators Squirrels are known for their ability to leap from tree to tree with impressive accuracy. But did you know that they have a remarkable memory when it comes to locating food? They store nuts and seeds in multiple locations throughout their territory to ensure they have a food supply for winter. However, squirrels have been known to forget where they buried some of their food, which often leads to the accidental planting of new trees!
2. They Can Cause Serious Damage to Your Home While squirrels may look harmless, they can be incredibly destructive. These rodents often seek out attics and other hidden spaces in homes, especially when the weather turns cold. One of the most surprising squirrel facts is how adept they are at getting into your home. They can chew through wood, wires, insulation, and even vents to gain access. Once inside, they may build nests that can lead to further damage. If you have noticed squirrels around your home, especially during colder months, it’s important to act quickly before they make themselves too comfortable.
3. Squirrels Have a Surprisingly Active Social Life Though they’re often seen alone, squirrels are highly social animals, especially when it comes to mating season. Male squirrels will chase females and compete with each other for their attention. This competition is intense, with some squirrels engaging in mid-air chases that look almost like aerial acrobatics. Interestingly, squirrels communicate with each other through tail movements, and they use different tail flicks to signal alarm or warning to others nearby. They may also use their tails as a tool to help balance when jumping from tree branches or running across power lines.

Squirrels and Your Garden: The Dangers Lurking Right Under Your Nose

Gardens and yards are often the prime targets for squirrels, especially in the fall when they’re preparing for winter. The damage they can cause in your garden is often underestimated. Here are some squirrel facts about their gardening habits:

1. Squirrels Love to Dig Squirrels dig up garden beds looking for buried food, and unfortunately, they don’t always cover up their tracks. If you have a garden, you may have noticed small holes or patches of dug-up dirt in your flower beds. This is often a sign that a squirrel has been busy searching for its next snack. Not only do squirrels uproot plants, but they may also gnaw on roots or chew on seedlings, stunting the growth of your plants.
2. Fruit Trees Are a Squirrel’s Playground Squirrels can be especially troublesome for homeowners with fruit trees. They love to eat fruits, especially when they’re at their ripest. Apples, pears, peaches, and plums are some of their favorites. A squirrel will climb up a tree and eat the fruit, sometimes taking a bite or two and then dropping it, leaving the rest to rot on the ground. This not only wastes the fruit but can also lead to the spread of diseases among plants.
3. Bird Feeders Aren’t Safe Either If you’ve ever tried to feed the birds in your yard, you’ve probably noticed squirrels taking over your bird feeders. These sneaky creatures are experts at reaching even the most challenging bird feeders. Squirrels will chew through plastic or metal to get to the seeds, making a mess and sometimes even damaging the feeder in the process.

Squirrel Infestations: How to Protect Your Home from the Hidden Dangers

By now, you’ve likely learned that squirrels aren’t just cute creatures living in your backyard – they can cause real problems when they decide to call your attic or garden home. If you suspect you have a squirrel infestation or want to prevent one from occurring, here are some important squirrel facts and tips for keeping them away:

1. Seal Entry Points Early One of the most important steps in preventing a squirrel infestation is to seal any potential entry points to your home. Squirrels are notorious for squeezing into small spaces, so it’s vital to check for gaps in your roof, vents, and eaves. Use wire mesh or strong materials to close any openings larger than a half-inch. The more thorough you are in sealing these entry points, the less likely you’ll have a squirrel problem in the first place.
2. Remove Nesting Materials Squirrels will often seek out attic spaces to build their nests. They use a variety of materials like insulation, leaves, twigs, and even newspaper. If you suspect squirrels have made their way into your attic, take immediate action to remove these nesting materials. This will help prevent the squirrels from settling in and reproducing. However, it’s important to call in a professional to remove the squirrels safely and without causing harm.
3. Trim Trees Near Your Home Since squirrels are expert climbers, it’s essential to trim any trees or branches near your home that could act as bridges for squirrels to access your roof. Keeping tree branches at least 10 feet away from your home will make it much more difficult for squirrels to gain entry. This is one of the most effective ways to stop them before they even have the chance to invade your attic.
4. Eliminate Food Sources If squirrels are rummaging through your garden or stealing from your bird feeder, you’ll want to eliminate their food sources. Consider using squirrel-proof bird feeders and remove any fallen fruit or nuts from your garden regularly. Squirrels will move on to greener pastures if they find that your yard offers little to no food.

What To Do If You Have A Squirrel Problem?

Squirrels may be fascinating creatures with some incredible survival skills, but when they decide to take over your home or garden, they can cause significant damage. From chewing through wires to uprooting your plants, squirrels are far more than just playful rodents.