Are Squirrels Pets or Pests?

Squirrels are intelligent, cute, acrobatic, and more. They look so furry and soft; animal lovers all over the world want to own a squirrel as a pet. But are squirrels pets, really?

As a general rule, it is best to leave wild animals where they are. At Covenant Wildlife Removal, we know the ins and outs of animal care. We think some of them are really cute as well. But that is not a reason to pick up a baby fallen out of the nest. In most cases, the mother will retrieve the youngster if they are left alone. In other cases, the course of nature should be left alone. After all, it is illegal to own a wild animal as a pet.

Here is what Outdoor Alabama has to say about the matter.

“Possession of live native mammals, even if the intent is eventual release, is prohibited unless done under the authority of a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit issued by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.”

-Outdoor Alabama

So, is it legal to have squirrel pets? If it is a wild animal, then the answer is no, not in Alabama. There may be a loophole when a squirrel is raised from birth as a pet by a breeder. However, that would be a risk. Therefore, it is not recommended. Not to mention, there are a whole lot of disadvantages to having a squirrel as a pet.

The Disadvantages of Squirrels as Pets

The normal rodent one would keep as a pet is much smaller than the squirrel pets. And, they really don’t have a history of being domesticated. So, there is no breed or type you can get that is bred to be better as a pet. Additionally, there are several other disadvantages to having a squirrel as a pet.

1. They are high energy and can be destructive. Since they love to jump from branch to branch in the treetops, they will also jump from appliance to door trim to chandelier.
2. Squirrels like to chew. They will gnaw on anything they want to keep their teeth filed and get that energy out.
3. They have long claws that will tear holes in drapes and furniture and even scratch walls inside the home.
4. Squirrels do not go to the bathroom in their own cage. Instead, they will drop fecal matter wherever they want. And they will even throw it out of the cage and spray.
5. They can and will bite.

Common Squirrel Behaviors in Nature

Squirrels can run, jump, and climb just about any surface, making no wall or roof impossible for them to reach. That is not good news for homeowners. 

Listed below is a brief list of the squirrel habits that squirrel-loving homeowners should be aware of.

• Squirrels will chew and scratch their way into the tiniest opening in your home or roofline.
• They will quickly scale a brick wall up to around four stories.
• Their strong teeth and jaws can chew right through aluminum and more.
• Squirrels are territorial and will fight for their space.
• The females have up to two litters of 4 pups each year.
• Squirrels work together to accomplish their goals and warn one another of danger.
• Chatty and loud in the attic; they will keep you up at night as they enjoy playtime.

Squirrels as Pests

Without a doubt, squirrels in the attic of a home are the most significant concern wildlife removal companies receive. You see, squirrels like the attic because it is dark and secluded and usually has plenty to make a nest up there. If squirrels do get in your attic, you will recognize several different signs.

• If the noises you are hearing are in the daytime, the diagnosis is easy. Squirrels are the daytime pests that love our attics.
• A two-inch hole with chewing marks may be the work of a squirrel.
• While building their nest, a squirrel will chew cables, shred insulation, pick at the walls, pull away shingles, and create holes in the home’s siding.
• Anything stored in the attic is fair game for building materials.
• They urinate and defecate where they please, drop parasites, shed, and leave ticks around. 
• Finally, serious diseases can be transmitted by squirrels as well. 

Keep your family safe by removing squirrels from the attic. Make no mistake, they cannot be taken in as pets if they are wild. And trying to remove them on your own may cause you great harm. Please leave it to the professionals to do the job.

So do you call squirrels pets or pests? If you think they are pesky critters that just happen to be cute, then try the following to keep them out of your yard and home.

Keeping Squirrels Out of Your Yard

Suppose you simply cannot resist a pup fallen from a nest. In that case, you should call for a wildlife removal company to take and rehome the animal. However, if you just cannot… you may want to ensure they do not get into your yard at all. Here is what we suggest.

First, don’t feed the squirrels. Only use squirrel-proof bird feeders in the yard, or eliminate the feeders altogether.

Second, you can remove all attractors to the yard, like pet food bowls, fallen fruits, nuts, seeds, and other things they like.

Next, you can try scaring them off the premises. A pet dog will warn them to stay out. And a motion sensored sprinkler will startle the squirrels and other wildlife.

Now, block all entry points to the home like vents and gutter openings.

Finally, there are certain flowers that squirrels hate. Daffodils have a toxin that makes them inedible, so nothing will try and eat those. Squirrels also don’t like the taste of hyacinth, allium, or snowdrops. Consider planting these spring bulbs around your garden to deter the squirrels from exploring further in.

So, Are Squirrels Pets or Pests?

 That is your decision, but Covenant Wildlife Removal is here to remove squirrels from your home and yard, should they make their way in.

To recap:

1. Yes, squirrels are cute.
2. And they are also destructive.
3. They carry diseases, fleas, and ticks.
4. Squirrels are territorial.
5. They are illegal to own as pets.

Should you have any further questions, take a look at our many posts about squirrels, or give our friendly staff a call. We can point you in the right direction when deciding what to do with a fallen pup or an injured squirrel. And if they should decide to move in with you and your family, please contact us as soon as you think you have any animal in the attic.

Squirrel Removal by Covenant Wildlife Removal

We are professional wildlife removal experts who know how to get the job done safely and humanely. Our team will come out and determine the source of the attic ruckus. Then we will lay a play to get the animals out. Covenant has the proper traps for each type of animal. And we have years of experience with bait for each variety of pests.

When we are called out to do a job, we will then lay the traps, catch the animals, and remove and relocate them. From there, our qualified technician will take the time to clean up the area to make it safe again for you and your family. They will clean and disinfect the areas, deodorize the space, and disinfect it as well. And if they were up there with enough time to do damage, we will remediate the places they caused harm, too.

We are a full-service animal removal company located in Alabama. If you need us to help you figure out what is making all the commotion in your attic, contact our team here. Covenant Wildlife Removal will be right out to help you solve the mystery and get those pests out for good.

Because squirrels are not good pets, and they can be really wild pests!