How To Get Rid Of Squirrels In Your Yard

They are small-sized rodents, classified into the family Sciuridae, with more than 200 species that can generally be divided into three main types: tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels.

These are small creatures that fill the forests and have some characteristics, such as bushy tails, sharp incisors, and a good sense of smell. It inhabits forests, savanna, shrubland, and even city environments and their role in an ecosystem is seed predation.

But despite this, they can always come into contact with your property and cause tension by raiding the houses or destroying crops. Here are some more specifics regarding their categories:

1. Ground Squirrels

They are some of the common species include the California ground squirrel which resides in burrows or tunnels in the ground. These squirrels are most populous in rural habitats and open plains where they may dig large burrow systems.

Ground squirrels are social animals and prefer to live in a group to communicate with each other with the help of voices along with some movements.

They are involved in the process of making holes in the soil and breaking it to allow air and nutrient cycling within the soils but at the same time, they are destructive to crops and plants thus making it difficult for farmers and gardeners to manage their invasions.

2. Tree Squirrels

They represent the subclass of tree squirrels and can be considered the most commonly viewed animals factoring in their homes are either urban or suburban areas, respectively. Some well-known types include the Eastern Gray Squirrel, the Red Squirrel, and the Fox Squirrel.

These squirrels basically can be found to be leading their lives in the trees and being excellent climbers. Along with sharp claws, they can climb the trees with tremendous strength. Tree squirrels are most times observed to be in search of food, which includes nuts, seeds, and fruits, which they bury to enable them to make it through the winter seasons.

Thanks to the ability to dwell in human environments they can be met quite close and that can cause interest as well as inconvenience.

3. Flying Squirrels

The flying squirrels are quite different in appearance from other squirrels because of their ability to fly from one tree to another. This is brought about by having a skin membrane called the patagium, running down from the wrists to the ankles.

Although not experienced as often as the tree or ground squirrels, these squirrels are amazing nocturnal animals. Many of them are generally silent fliers making them quite elusive and at times hard to observe.

These tiny squirrels will consume the seeds, nuts, fruits and allow the seed to grow into plants in a new location from the defecation squirrels and hence, play a vital role in the trophic-dynamic role of the forest ecosystem.

Squirrels have diverse diets that may vary depending on the season or time of year and on what is available. So, what do squirrels eat in your home? They mostly feed on the following things:

1. Nuts and Seeds

Squirrels get most of their nutrients from nuts and seeds as they provide fats and proteins. One of the specific foods, that are preferred by squirrels is acorns which they gather and store for the winter months.

Walnuts and pecans are also loved by squirrels but the shells of these nuts are very hard; the squirrels have to crack their teeth to open the shell. They mostly feed on seeds, especially those available in bird feeders such as sunflower seeds and bird seed.

2. Fruits and Vegetables

Particularly, squirrels have a fondness for sweets and frequently forage in gardens for various forms of fruits and vegetables. Apples are produced mid-season and the apples are consumed by the squirrels either by finding dropped apples or fetching them directly from the trees.

Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries also make a nice meal for the squirrels with the most common fruits being eaten being grapes which if available will be stolen from the field or garden. Another often attacked plant is tomatoes which is hardly surprising for gardeners.

3. Fungi

Some squirrels; the ground squirrels for instance feast on fungi. Those grown in the forests or yards are used routinely. Squirrels also feed on other kinds of fungi that are found on the forest floor. This is important because it is a source of food that is easily found in the autumn season.

4. Tree Bark and Twigs

Squirrels undergo a period when they consume hard substances such as tree bark and twigs, especially during the cold seasons with limited other foods. The squirrels feed on the sap and the inner part of the tree by biting on the bark.

Besides nourishment, chewing twigs also acts as a dental floss which assists in shaping the length of the growing teeth of the squirrel.

5. Insects and Bird Eggs

The primary diet of squirrels is plant matter, but they occasionally consume animal products as well. They feed on insects, including caterpillars, beetles, and grubs which are relatively rich in proteins. Occasionally, squirrels also feed on birds and eggs by stealing eggs and nestlings from the nests of various birds.

Identifying squirrels' presence in your yard involves observing both the animals themselves and the signs they leave behind. Here are some key indicators that you can use in order to identify squirrels in your garden or yard:

Visual Sightings

Squirrels are diurnal rodents; that is to say, they will be out of their burrows during the daytime. They can usually be seen in the activity of tree climbing, crossing electrical wires, and running on the ground for food items like nuts, seeds, and fruits.

They are active animals and typically move fast, and during the day, hence, you will not struggle to identify them.

Chew Marks

Squirrels have constantly growing sharp teeth, so they have to gnaw on something, which is why there are scratch marks present. You may notice chip-out patterns on the surface of trees, wooden structures like decks and fences as well as on furniture that is exposed to the outdoors.

It also can gnaw through plastics and metals; garden crops are discernible by the presence of tooth marks left by them.

Tracks and Droppings

The main signs that help identify the presence of squirrels are tracks and droppings found in the area. There are usually four toes on the front feet, and five on the rear feet, with a bounding impression often seen when the squirrel jumps around.

Their feces are small, round, and black in color or sometimes brown, and are usually deposited around feeding sites or nest sites.

Nests (Dreys)

Different races of squirrels have unique nesting styles. Tree squirrels make big round structures for habitation called dreys made out of leaves and twigs, often situated atop branches.

In contrast, ground squirrels dig up holes or some form of tunnels in the soil which can be well concealed under thick bushes or even under tall grasses. These burrows present multiple openings and can extend to generous sizes.

Sounds

Squirrels are noisy animals and sounds produced by them can help in the identification of the animal. They are characterized by making a chattering noise that is high-pitched and repeated when they are scared or signaling to others.

They also create sharp barking sounds to alert other squirrels of threats or danger while creating squeaking sounds which are commonly produced by young squirrels or those in a contest with other adults.

The visual and audible signs such as movement, presence of nests, chew marks, tracks, and droppings are important indications of squirrel's presence in the yard.

Squirrels are cute wildlife that can bring several issues to your lawn or house. Understanding the types of damage they can inflict helps in developing an effective management strategy. Some of the damage that can be caused by squirrels are listed below:

1. Garden Damage

These are known to go for gardens in particular where they dig up bulbs, feed on fruits and vegetables, and also strip the barks of trees and shrubs.

Their feeding habits have the potential of damaging flowers and ornamental plants while they also knock over fruits and vegetables halfway through their consumption and uproot other plants in the process. This can be quite annoying, especially to those who cultivate their gardens and devote substantial time to nurturing them.

2. Bird Feeder Raids

One of the common issues that many bird enthusiasts have with their feeders is squirrels. These resourceful animals can avoid most basic feeder constructions and eat significant quantities of bird seed that were intended for birds.

This contributes not only to extra expenses to bird lovers but also causes the birds to cease visiting feeders because the dominance of the squirrels and their feeding session overshadows the birds.

3. Structural Damage

Squirrels are also known to be potential home destroyers since they tend to chew on wooden structures, sidings, and even electrical wiring. This chewing behavior makes it possible for squirrels to force their way into homes, where they bring in attics their nests.

Squirrels in the attics cause damage to the insulation and contaminate it with their urine and feces, not to mention the electricity issues from chewing through wires.

4. Burrowing

Ground squirrels burrow extensively and may create dangerous structural problems for structures. These burrows can negatively affect the support structures such as the foundations, sidewalks, and driveways requiring repair work.

In addition, the burrowing activity can interfere with landscaping activities due to irregular terrain, increase risks of tripping, and make mowing more challenging.

5. Tree Damage

Another problem associated with squirrel infestation is the damage they cause to trees in the area. They pull off bark and consume young shoots and buds which can hamper the development of the trees or even will kill young or decorative trees.

This behavior can pose a threat to the welfare of trees and consequently result in extra spending on the trees or getting new ones, which isn't ideal at all.

You can manage to get rid of squirrels using a variety of lethal and humane methods. To effectively manage and remove squirrels in attic and yard, consider implementing techniques such as:

1. Exclusion Techniques

Fencing: Harden the garden beds and the flower beds with the use of hardware cloth or chicken wire. Make sure that the fencing is installed to a depth of not less than one foot as a measure against squirrels burrowing under it. This method is more efficient for protecting vegetable patches and areas where plants have recently been planted.

Tree Guards: Place wire or plastic tree protectors at the base of young trees to stop animals from removing the bark which shortens the tree’s life span. These guards are easily installed, and they are available from the garden centers or through the internet.

Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders: Buy special bird feeders that cannot be accessed by squirrels with much ease.  These usually contain mechanisms that respond to the weight applied on top and close entry to the seed as soon as a squirrel attempts to access it. This does not allow the squirrels to have a chance to grab the bird food and also renders them unable to access your compound.

2. Repellents

Commercial Repellents: Spraying plants or the surrounding garden beds with any products having capsaicin, the substance found in chili peppers, would help keep squirrels away. These come from the garden shop and must be applied strictly according to the directions of its manufacturer.

Homemade Solutions: Mix water, dishwashing soap, and hot pepper flakes in a solution. Spread this mixture on plants and garden areas. Redo work after rain or watering since this may reduce the effectiveness of the repellent. This is a cheap remedy that can be prepared in the kitchen using everyday items readily available at home.

Natural Repellents: Squirrels do not like some plants; therefore, placing containers with such species as mint, marigolds, or daffodils around the area can effectively prevent them from coming close. These plants can prove useful to your garden by also providing some aesthetic appeal while discouraging squirrels.

3. Trapping

Live Traps: It is also a good idea to use humane live trap methods for catching and removing squirrels. Take the help of peanut butter, nuts, or seeds as bait. Check traps after a couple of days and do not release the caught squirrel near your house since it will find its way back. Make sure that the release location is appropriate and safe for the squirrels.

Legal Considerations: Familiarize with the local laws relating to trapping and moving squirrels. It is essential to note that there might be certain regional regulations or you might need permits to trap wildlife.

4. Modify Habitat

Remove Food Sources: Clean up the fallen nuts, fruits, and bird seeds frequently. Minimize food sources by storing bird seed, pet food, and other edible items in sealed squirrel-resistant containers.

Prune Trees: Prune the tree branches that directly lead to the roof and attics of your home. This minimizes the chance of having squirrels gaining access to your home. It is also important to note that well-pruned trees will also have better health of trees in general.

Eliminate Water Sources: This can be done by either removing or covering any water sources that may be present in the compound like bird baths and ponds since they attract squirrels. This can also assist in minimizing the incidences of other pests tapping into the area.

5. Predator Decoys

Motion-Activated Devices: Install motion-activated sprinklers or noisemakers to scare the squirrels whenever they come to preferred regions. These devices can give an instant shooing away and will prevent the squirrels from becoming at ease in your compound.

Owl and Hawk Decoys: Install live-looking predator replicas at strategic points in your compound. They should be shifted occasionally to give the impression of movement as the predator. It can be used to chase squirrels away from certain regions since the smell is annoying to them.

However, to avoid squirrels altogether becoming an issue, there really is an ongoing, comprehensive set of squirrel control measures that you can take to discourage the creatures from visiting your yard. Here are a number of tips and tricks that you can use to make sure squirrels never invade your yard:

1. Secure Food Sources

Bird feeders: Having squirrel-resistant feeders and mounting them at spots that are inaccessible to squirrels is always a good idea. Perhaps opt for baffles to exclude squirrels from accessing feeders.

Pet Food: Feed the pets indoors and remove leftovers as soon as possible. Store the food in sealed, squirrel-proof containers.

2. Maintain Yard Cleanliness

Cleaning Regularly: It will be worth removing the fallen fruits, nuts, and other debris frequently enough. This will reduce the quantity of potential food items and ensure that your backyard is less welcoming to squirrels.

Compost Management: Always seal the compost bins tightly, and do not toss leftovers that squirrels are especially likely to crave.

3. Seal Entry Points

Home Inspection: Check your home often for cracks and crevices through which these animals can easily enter eaves vents, and roofing. Use metal flashing or hardware cloth to seal up these gaps.

Attic and Crawl Space Protection: Check that any attic vents or crawl space entries are blocked with stiff wire mesh to discourage squirrels from entering.

4. Tree and Shrub Management

Pruning: Avoid having tree branches touching your house or other structures to eliminate the chances of the squirrels using them as a bridge.

Tree Guards: Provide tree guards on young and susceptible trees to prevent them from being stripped and gnawed.

5. Use Squirrel-Repelling Plants

Plant Selection: Try planting shrubs that squirrels do not like. Some examples of squirrel-repellent plants are daffodils, alliums, or fritillaries in your backyard. These plants can help prevent the occurrence of these problems naturally.

Companion Planting: Planting these deterrent plants near the more susceptible crops will assist in shielding your garden from squirrel damage.