Squirrels

About Squirrels

Tree squirrels, particularly the eastern fox squirrel, are common nuisance wildlife in Orange County neighborhoods with mature trees. While squirrels are entertaining to watch in parks, they become serious pests when they enter attics, soffits, and wall voids. Squirrels gnaw constantly to maintain their ever-growing teeth, chewing through wood, plastic, and electrical wiring. They create entry holes in fascia boards, roof vents, and construction gaps, then build large nests of leaves and insulation inside attics. Squirrel activity is loudest in early morning, and their presence is often accompanied by scattered droppings and chewed materials. Professional exclusion combined with trapping is needed for lasting control.

How to Identify Squirrels

• Bushy tail, gray or reddish-brown fur, 16 to 20 inches long including tail
• Active during the day, especially early morning and late afternoon
• Loud scurrying, scratching, and rolling sounds in attics and walls during daytime
• Chewed holes in fascia boards, roof vents, or soffits, typically 2 to 3 inches wide
• Droppings are small, oblong pellets similar to but smaller than rat droppings

Lifecycle

Squirrels typically have two breeding seasons per year, in late winter and midsummer. After a 44-day gestation, females give birth to 2 to 4 kits in a nest. Young squirrels are weaned at about 10 weeks and become independent shortly after. They reach sexual maturity at about 10 to 12 months and can live 5 to 10 years in suburban environments.

Health & Property Risks

• Gnaw electrical wiring, creating serious fire hazards in attics and walls
• Damage roofing materials, fascia boards, and attic insulation
• Create entry points that allow rain, other pests, and wildlife to enter the structure
• Accumulate nesting material and droppings that require professional attic cleanup