RODENT CONTROL: RATS, MICE, SQUIRRELS
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Flying Squirrels
A frequently asked question is: What can I do to run them out of our attic and keep them out? Answer: To date we have not found anything quite effective in running them out and keeping them out of attics spaces.
If you do run them temporarily(example moth balls), it would run you out as well. Even at that, after sealing up their entry points, they would gnaw inside making another entry point. A trapping program is best.
FLYING SQUIRRELS:
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©Photo courtesy of:
Grolier Encylopedia
Gray squirrels are about 18 inches long, including their 9 inch tails..larger than the flying squirrels.
They weigh about 1-1.5 lbs. as an adult.
Their coloration is usually gray, salt and pepper, but can have tan hairs in the fur as well, white belley.
The winter coat is grey above with a white underside; the suxnmer coat is shorter, sleeker and brownish grey above.
Red squirrels have red/brown upper parts in summer but may show some grey on the back in winter, leading to some confusion.
Red squirrels are smaller, lighter, have ear tufts, prominent in the winter coat and brown on the legs and tail.
Natural habitats are wooded areas in tree cavities, can be found near hardwoods like oaks and hickory trees. Will construct feeding shelters out of leafs.
Generally have 2 litters a year,2-4 youg per litter. They normally breed in midwinter and late spring.
Gestation is about 44 days.
Diet consists of bird eggs, insects, berries, fruit,vegetables, nuts and nestling birds. They like to hoard their food.
Gray squirrels are active during the day, expecting to hear them during the daytime.
Can inhabit the attic areas as well as crawl spaces. They like to enter the attic areas from your gutters and nearby trees and bushes. Installing gutter guards, or down spouts with screen may prevent them from climbing up to the roof through a down spout.
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