Did you hear that? During the day, it sounds like little feet running across the roof. Perhaps it sounds a bit closer, like right in the ceiling? If so, you may have a gray squirrel infestation. If you have heard grey squirrels making a place in your home, contact Covenant Wildlife Removal to safely and humanely remove and relocate the grey squirrel.
Grey Squirrel Facts
The grey squirrel is a tree squirrel, able to leap and bound great lengths to reach the nesting place or food source it is after. An interesting fact is noted ion Wikipedia stating the following about the grey squirrel:
“It is native to eastern North America, where it is the most prodigious and ecologically essential natural forest regenerator.”
What that means is the grey squirrel is a large and impressive species that is most integral in the restoration and renewal of the natural forests in North America. Now, that is impressive, but if they are in your home, trying to renew your attic into a nesting place, you may not be so thrilled.
Appearance
Appropriately named, the grey squirrel is just that. It is a squirrel with a majority grey and some brown fur, with a bright white underbelly. An additional point of interest is that the males and females look the same; there is no differentiation between the sexes. Getting to know the grey squirrel, you will identify the following attributes.
- Length: Head and body length can grow up to 11.8 inches.
- Tail length: Just shorter than the head and body length.
- Weight: between 14 and 21 ounces.
These bounding animals have four toes on the front feet and five on the back, making their tracks easily identifiable. Grey squirrels have incisor teeth that will continue growing at a rate of 6 inches per year for life. And that is where homeowners start to have a concern.
If a squirrel is filing its teeth on your home, contact Covenant’s expert wildlife removal team.
Behavior
These acrobatic squirrels can run, jump, and climb just about any surface, which is not good news for homeowners.
Listed below is a list of the various squirrel habits homeowners should be aware of.
- Squirrels will gnaw their way into the smallest opening in your home or roofline.
- They will climb a brick wall up to around four stories.
- Their strong teeth and jaws can chew right through aluminum.
- Squirrels are territorial and will fight for their space.
- The females can have two litters of one to four pups each year.
- Interestingly, they 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.
- Grey squirrels will defecate and urinate in one spot creating a pile and a mess for you.
The Grey Squirrel Diet
Grey squirrels eat a range of foods, including tree bark, blowers, berries, seeds, acorns, nuts, and fungi. They may even raid your garden. Occasionally, they will feast on insects, frogs, birds, eggs, small rodents, and even other squirrels.
Should you have a grey squirrel making piles of nuts in your attic, please call the wildlife removal services of your Covenant Team.
Is the Grey Squirrel Dangerous?
Squirrels are not known to harm humans. However, if you come in contact with one and try to catch it, you may get bitten. Also, they may carry disease with that bite. In addition, they can do considerable damage to your home.
Damage to the Home
Squirrels have a long list of the damage they create. Here are just a few ways they may damage your home or property:
- Stealing bird seed from your yard’s bird feeders.
- Destroying attic and wall insulation to make nests.
- Soiling rooms in your home with their urine, droppings, parasites, ticks, and shedding fur, all of which can be severe health hazards.
- When squirrels die in wall and ceiling voids, soffits, and other inaccessible areas, they may be challenging to locate. And there will be a horrible odor that occurs that is unbearable.
- They will chew on wood, cables, sprinkler heads, and electrical wiring. Stripping the insulation from the wires increases the chances for a short and the risk of fire. Squirrels cause thousands of home fires per year.
- Squirrel’s carcasses become the perfect breeding place for flies and diseases.
- Squirrels are very noisy in an attic and may bite when someone corners them.
- Squirrels dig up gardens and landscapes.
- They strip the bark off ornamental plants and trees on your property.
If these pests are making a mess of your home, contact Covenant Wildlife Removal to remove the squirrels and relocate them where they should be nesting.
Fleas And Ticks
Like any rodent, grey squirrels may have fleas. The ticks associated with this squirrel may, in fact, carry an infectious disease that can be spread to humans. It is called Borrelia bacteria and can cause Lyme Disease. And Lyme disease can affect the nervous system, and joints, and heart.
To avoid damage to your home and family, let the experts at Covenant Wildlife Removal come in and move them out.
Covenant Wildlife Removal Removes Grey Squirrels
Covenant Wildlife Removal comes in to save the daytime from the chatter and scurrying noises in your attic or ceiling. The most common way to remove squirrels is to trap them. Poison is not recommended because the animal can die in the home and create additional issues. What’s more, the poison is dangerous around children and pets.
However, you need not worry about that. At Covenant Wildlife Removal, we will find the entry points and seal them up, remove the squirrels, and clean up after them. We are fully equipped and experienced at getting to the source of the problem and eradicating the wildlife.
Squirrel Removal Service includes:
- Trapping, Removal, and Relocation
- Clean Up
- Disinfection
- Odor Removal
- Repair of the area
Covenant Wildlife Removal is a top-rated local family-owned, full-service wildlife trapping, removal, and repair service. We can remove a grey squirrel or other rodent infestation before it becomes an extensive problem for you and your family.
Contact us or call 205-850-5760 to set up an inspection.