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Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are medium sized arboreal, or tree squirrels. Their back is grizzled dark to pale gray and may be tinted with reddish coloration on their hips, feet and head. The tail is white to pale gray and as is their stomach. In the north, both their ears and soles of the feet grow heavy fur during winter. Generally, there is no difference between males and females with respect to size or coloration.
Eastern gray squirrels have two breeding seasons per year, and most breeding occurs in December - February and May - June of each year. Females can have two litters per year, one from each breeding season. Average litter sizes range from 2 - 3 individuals; the winter litter is generally smaller than the summer litter. Both sexes remain reproductively active throughout their lives. The squirrel easily adapts to whatever situation confronts him. The secret to his survival is how quickly he learns the ropes around the neighborhood. If there is no food available the squirrel will travel for miles to find it then set up his home nearby. His nest, called a “drey”, is usually built high up in the trees but if no tree is available the squirrel will build it in the next best thing — an attic.
The squirrel is one of Virginia’s most common wildlife pests, and if you hear “noises” in your attic odds are you have a uninvited guest named “squirrel”. The most common noise complaints associated with squirrels in the attic is folks hearing lots of “scratching“, this could be a sign that a female squirrel is preparing to have her young, This situation should be addresses immediately before the young are old enough to cause damage to your homes wiring. It is estimated that more than 40,000 incidents of house fires annually are caused by faulty electrical wiring. As such, it is the leading cause of fire-related casualties, claiming about 500 lives with property losses estimated at over $500 million annually. Out of these 40,000 fires its belived that 40% are caused by rodents chewing on wires. Call us today for a permenant solution to your squirrel invasion problems |
