Squirrel Identification

What are squirrels?

Tree squirrels are the most common type of squirrel living across our Texas service area. As the name suggests, tree squirrels spend a lot of time in trees or other areas that allow them to be up off the ground. While harmless to people when living outside and away from our homes and businesses, squirrels that have adapted to living in urban and suburban areas have become a significant pest problem for home and business owners.

Squirrels vary in appearance, but in general, have a long cylindrical body covered in light whitish-gray to dark reddish-brown fur and ears that stand up off the head. Their most notable feature is their long bushy tail.

Are squirrels dangerous?

Squirrels are a type of rodent and therefore have front incisors that continuously grow throughout their life. To help stop their teeth from overgrowing, squirrels and other rodents chew on almost anything they encounter. When squirrels have taken up residence on our properties, their chewing habits cause damage to wires, cables, ducts, trim, flooring, and insulation – sometimes triggering fires and causing electrical shorts.

Squirrels carry on their bodies and introduce into our yards and homes fleas, ticks, mites, and other parasites that spread diseases to people. Squirrels also spread diseases and bacteria to people they have picked up on their bodies or through their excrement.

Why do I have a squirrel problem?

Squirrels feed on various foods like nuts, fruit, seeds, berries, insects, and bark, all things that are available in most of our yards. Bird feeders, compost, gardens, and fruit trees act as foraging sites for squirrels.

While food will attract squirrels to your property, these curious creatures often look to get into our homes because they provide them with safe nesting spots. Squirrels move inside through chimneys, spaces around windows and doors, damaged siding, or holes along the roofline.

Where will I find squirrels?

Tree squirrels are most problematic on properties with trees or near wooded areas and parks. Squirrels will make themselves at home in a variety of places, both in our yards or inside our structures. Some places include:

• Attics, chimneys, or wall voids
• Garages, sheds, and barns
• Warehouses and food storage facilities

Other favorite nesting spots for squirrels include trees, shrubbery, cardboard boxes, roof eaves, lawnmowers, car engines, and unused grills, which protect them from predators.

How do I get rid of squirrels?

Though squirrels look innocent, we understand that they can be a maddening pest to deal with. At Brinker Animal Removal, we want to help you protect your yard and home from these troublesome pests. Our professionals will come to your property to inspect and perform customized services, exclusion work, and wildlife proofing. We have the experience and dedication needed to work closely with you and remove problematic squirrels.

If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and need help controlling squirrels or other wildlife that have found their way onto your property, call Brinker Animal Removal today.

How can I prevent squirrels in the future?

While you should always allow a professional to handle issues with squirrels, there are things you can do around your property to make it less attractive to these unwanted visitors.

• Keep doors and windows in garages, sheds, and other outbuildings closed as much as possible. Make sure if they are open, secure screens are in place.
• If you have a garage, store lawnmowers and cars inside, preventing squirrels from getting into them to nest.
• Repair gaps around windows, doors, and other openings in the exterior of your home.
• Repair any defects that develop along your roofline, including replacing loose or missing roof shingles.
• Trim back tree limbs from your roofline.
• Remove bird feeders from your yard. Squirrels notoriously forage for food from bird feeders.
• Never purposely feed squirrels on your property.

Learn about our residential animal removal and commercial wildlife services.