|
Identify Nuisance Wildlife
|
Squirrels |
|
Description
& Habitat
There are
three types of squirrels found
in Colorado.
Fox
squirrels are the largest tree
squirrels. The fox
squirrel is a large tree
dwelling squirrel with reddish
underpants and rust or brown
colored under parts. Its
tail, a mixture of cinnamon
and black hairs, is generally
about half the length of its
body. They have four
sets of
whiskers.
Abert
squirrels range in weight
from 500 - 800 grams and have
tufts of fur that extend out from the pinnae of their ears.
Their colors change; from gray with a white
ventrum to being all black.
Pine
squirrels are one of the
smallest tree squirrels
weighing between 140 - 250
grams. They are generally
reddish-brown with a greyish- white
belly, and a black lateral
line which runs down their
sides.
Disease
Bubonic
and Pneumonic Plague
- When populations are dense,
small rodents such as rats,
mice, and squirrels are
susceptible to the plague,
which has wiped out entire
colonies. Although rare,
people can contract bubonic
and pneumonic plague from a
bite or scratch from infected
animals. People who handle
tissue from infected animals
or have other exposures to
infected animals are at increased risk.
Fleas that
live on these animals become
infected, too, so people may
get the bacteria from flea
bites. The
only form of this disease that
can be passed from one person
to another is pneumonic
plague.
For
more information on these
diseases contact:
The
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
at 800-311-3435
or e-mail them at:
http://www.cdc.gov/netinfo.htm
Damage
Squirrels will usually nest in
trees, using them for food and
protection from predators and
the elements.
However, oftentimes
they will take up residence in
a building if access to
sheltered areas such as eaves
and attic crawl spaces is
available. Audible gnawing,
scratching, and pattering
sounds, in early morning or
daylight hours, usually signal
their presence. Balls of torn
insulation, cardboard, and
dried leaves and twigs may
pinpoint nests, but nests and
young may be totally concealed
within eaves or wall spaces.
Squirrels in house eaves
and
attics can damage insulation
and electrical wiring and
should be removed. Digging
in lawns, eating
ornamental plants and
bulbs,
and stealing food from bird
feeders are also
common
behaviors of squirrels.
Damage
Control
To
assure that the nuisance squirrels
do not re-open or create new
entry points the
animals causing the problem
should
always be removed, and
then the holes sealed up to
prevent
others from infesting
the structure.
ADC
Solutions
Hearing scratching and
scampering in your attic?
It is not uncommon for a squirrel or family
of squirrels to take advantage of a small opening and make your house their
new home.
If your home has been invaded by these mischievous
creatures........
Call Us, We Can
Help!
A
qualified ADC wildlife
professional we
will find the entry point that
the squirrel is using to enter
the structure. Once the
entry hole(s) are located cage traps will be set in a location most likely to catch only the
nuisance squirrels. We will monitor the traps regularly, however to reduce
the stress on a trapped animal, we do ask that the home or business owner
call ADC if a squirrel gets trapped between our visits. When we are
confident the problem squirrels have been removed the entry
point holes need to be patched. This is a very important step as a new family of squirrels, birds,
or bats might use the holes to enter the structure.
For expert advice and solutions
to nuisance wildlife problems,
Call
Us Now!
Office:
303-884-9100
{TOP OF
PAGE}
|