Rocklin Squirrel Control 

Serving South Placer County, Sacramento County and the Surrounding Areas

What Are Squirrels, and Why Are They Considered Pests?

Squirrels ーyou’ve probably seen them. They are tiny rodents usually found on trees, scurrying round and round. While they may look cute and harmless at first, they can be such a nuisance in your home or business. But why? How can these little mammals cause significant damage to their surroundings? Let’s find out!

There are two significant classifications of squirrels: the tree squirrels and the ground squirrels. These two types of squirrels look similar. Their main distinction is where they retreat to when threatened. Ground squirrels can climb trees too, but will generally go to their burrows when they sense danger. On the other hand, tree squirrels will always climb up the trees and never go into a burrow. 

Tree Squirrels

Tree squirrels are active during the daytime. They are arboreal creatures, meaning they spend most of their time in the trees. Tree squirrels can be distinguished from ground squirrels and chipmunks by their long, bushy tails that help them maneuver themselves above the ground. They also lack markings such as spots or stripes. Their diet consists of various fruits, nuts, crops, and other plants. They are active throughout the year and do not hibernate during winter.

Tree squirrels nest in tree cavities or enlarged woodpecker holes. They can also construct their own nest high in trees using twigs, leaves, and shredded bark.

The breeding season of tree squirrels occurs in late winter or spring, depending on their species. They can produce up to two litters per year with 3 to 5 young. 

Ground Squirrels

Their burrowing traits can be used to identify Ground squirrels. They can grow from 14 to 20 inches as adults. Their fur is mottled brown, with white and gray markings on the back. Ground squirrels here in California have distinctive white rings around their eyes. Their tails are less bushy than that of tree squirrels.

These squirrels build burrow systems with lengths between 5 to 30 feet. Most of these burrows don’t go deep, though, usually just within 2 to 3 feet from the surface, but some may reach up to 6 feet deep or more. These burrows can be single tunnels or branching systems and may be occupied by a single squirrel or several ones. Ground squirrels use these burrows to sleep, rest, store food, avoid danger, and care for their young.

Ground squirrels are also active during the day. But unlike tree squirrels, most of them hibernate during winter. They also have a period of dormancy during the hottest times of the year, called estivation. In this period, they stay inside their burrows and plug it from the inside.

These squirrels have a long mating season, starting from January until July, but peaks from March to June. They produce one litter per year that have 5 to 8 young.