Squirrels: Understanding America’s Bushy-Tailed Visitors

As far as backyard animals are concerned, few animals can command our attention as much as the squirrel. Their adorable antics and bushy tails make these regular guests more than merely a beautiful sight. These social creatures can and do teach us many things about the local wildlife. At other times, they drop by uninvited and, in some cases, become unwanted residents. Are you wondering what are squirrels, researching on squirrel lifespan, or even willing to learn how you can tell the signs of squirrels around your yard? This SayNoPest guide will help you know what it takes about squirrels and how to deal with them effectively, without untold fears or being overwhelmed.

What are squirrels?

Squirrels are an interesting and wonderful animal that leaves one to pose a question as to where they run away. They are small to medium-sized mammals of the family; they have a slim body, a long tail, and long, pointed, curious eyes. Squirrels are mainly quick and nimble, and in consequence of this, should you ever have had occasion to observe how they jump from tree to tree, you will have felt this in demonstration. The family of tree squirrels is also comprised of ground squirrels and the flying squirrels, not to mention the chipmunks, which also carry the cute attribute of the bushy tail that is larger than the one on their body itself.

The majority of the squirrels you are likely to meet in American backyards are the tree squirrels whose soft grey, reddish or dark brown fur immediately identifies them. They are very flexible, so they can live in the forests, city parks, and even in the city neighbourhoods. The word squirrel is based on Greek words meaning shadow tail, a worthy naming after the obvious advertising body part the town has. Those are quick-thinking intelligent mammals that can figure out a puzzle to get to the birds’ seed or nuts, and their communication is a combination of a chip, flick of the tail and running around.

The special thing about the squirrels is that they can feed on several food materials such as seeds, nuts, fruit and fungi, but in case of a lack of these food materials, they can feed on insects or eggs. Squirrels will just adapt to any situation they find themselves in, and one of the factors that makes them fit in this is that they are able to diversify what they eat depending on the seasons.

Squirrel lifespan

As far as squirrel lifespan goes, the scale is quite wide, and when your view is on the young squirrels, chances can be harsh. Most are not able to live past the first year, and this may be due to predation, severe weather, or accidents. But seriously, in ones that do, they live long, depending on the species and conditions. The average life span of the squirrels in the wild is normally 5 to 10 years. The Eastern Grey Squirrel and other species can have a lifespan of 6 and 12 years on average in the wild, but the healthy Fox Squirrel can live 8 to 18 years when in an ideal environment. Some of the squirrels have even lived to 20 years in captivity, where all dangers are nullified.

Preying on wild squirrels by hawks, snakes and domesticated pets, food shortage, and human activities, development among others are some of the major factors that make life difficult for the wild squirrels. These risks notwithstanding, being agile and having great instincts allows them to maximise their lifespan as squirrels.

Are squirrels rodents

One question that many people ask is, Are squirrels rodents? The answer is Yes. Squirrels are also rodents and, due to this placed in the same family as animals like rats, mice, and voles. Having a set of constantly increasing incisors in both upper and lower jaws is one of the hallmark features of this order, excellent instruments to gnaw some nuts, wood and even cable or insulation. The necessity to grind down these teeth constantly is one of the key behaviours you are likely to observe in case squirrels move to the area.

Squirrels behave and play different roles in the environment compared to other rodents. A rat or mouse may well be happy to remain concealed in out-of-the-way spaces, but a squirrel is at home in the world during the daylight hours, and its ability to scale trees and rooftops may see them photographed dashing through trees instead of digging holes. Since rodents are squirrels, it is essential to identify them due to the proper pest control measures and the importance of their place in local ecosystems.

Signs of squirrels in the yards

During those times when you suspect that you are having an increasing squirrel population around your house, read these obvious signs:

• Nest in trees and hollows: these so-called dreys are commonly made of twigs and leaves and consist of nests built in trees or tree holes.
• Squirrels running along wires or rooftops: It is an indication of frequent traffic when you see these bushy-tailed animals rushing on top of fences, wires, or the roof.
• Yard and garden damage: Scrapes around the yard as they dig, nibbled-off garden plants, scraped-off tree saplings, squirrels are having a feast in your backyard.
• Frequent squirrel sightings and chases: Spirited attacks or playfulness mean that there is re large population of squirrels fighting over available space.
• Droppings and tracks: Droppings are small and cylindrical, dark in colour and are confused with other rodents.
• Unusual noises: If you have scratching, hustling or knocking sound coming from behind walls, chimney, attic or wall spaces, it simply implies that the squirrels are making their nest into the home.
• Destruction of property: Bitten wires or insulation, or even stretched holes on the siding, can indicate a possibility of squirrels trying to find warm, coupled-up places to nest inside your home.

Early detection enables a human and efficient way of reinforcement, taking care of your property and preventing the squirrels from feeling too comfortable as unwanted visitors.

Conclusion

At last, squirrels are smart, easygoing, and engaging members of the rodent family. They help to improve our natural surroundings, but at the same time, they can also irritate homeowners when they are in huge numbers. Learning what squirrels are, what their lifespan is, and knowing that squirrels are rodents will help you to understand more about them, but may also understand potential problems they may cause in yards and homes.

If you are suffering from squirrel problems in your yard and home, it is very important to consult an expert in pest control. Because they know how to deal with them in the best possible way and ensure that you and the animal are both safe. To maintain your home safe, your garden beautiful, and the squirrel population to be at line with your living place, SayNoPest is the place to get expert pest control tips and effective pest management to put some control over them. If you simply want to know more about what are squirrels, what the reality is about squirrels and rodents, or what you can do to prolong peace within your home, contact SayNoPest to get quality information and helpful advice to meet the specific needs of the American household.

Imagine a world where we can entertain our friends (and squirrels) in pest-free environments without the worries that they (or the squirrels) will become infested, and that is what SayNoPest offers: clean minds and clean environments!