Squirrel Management for Homeowners

BY:  Caleb Eaton, CEA-ANR

Think about it, who would have thought 30 years ago that a County Agent in Far West Texas would have to write an article on managing squirrels? But over the past 25 years or so, squirrels have become a pretty big nuisance in Monahans. Several folks have taken credit or blame (depends on who you talk to), but by the mid 90’s Gray Squirrels were well established in several neighborhoods in Monahans.

The squirrels have done well living off the steady supply of pecans, acorns and pine cones in our yards and parks, and most folks enjoy watching them scurry from tree to tree. However, squirrels have also created problems damaging landscapes, buildings and our electrical grid. While eradication is a near impossibility, there are some steps you can take to protect your home and landscape from damage.

BIOLOGY

Gray Squirrels are native to the Eastern half of the U.S. Their color is primarily reddish gray, although black squirrels and albino squirrels have been documented.   Gray Squirrels reach sexual maturity at 1 year of age and will mate twice a year usually in summer and winter. Grays have a gestation period of about 45 days and will raise a little of 3-6 young. Seeds and nuts are the primary diet of squirrels and they will scatter their food cache, burying individual nuts/acorns in the ground. Squirrels in captivity have been documented living to nearly 20 years of age, but in the wild the average lifespan of a squirrel is around 10 years. Squirrels are a prey species and their biggest predatory threats include owls, hawks, foxes and bobcats. Domestic cats also predate on squirrels. Squirrels can be very territorial and are known to “bark” to scare off predators or rival squirrels.

DAMAGE

Although squirrels are small, the amount of damage they can cause results in big bucks. Squirrels are notorious for finding entry ways to homes/buildings through vents, chimneys or holes. When they gain access to a building they can cause damage to electrical and plumbing systems, as well as damage insulation. In landscapes squirrels are notorious for destroying Pecan crops before they can be harvested, gnawing bark off of trees, building unsightly nests, and burying their cache in yards/gardens and flowerbeds. When food stressed or water stressed, Squirrels will naw on tree bark and can cause damage to the tree’s appearance. They also are notorious for tearing up bird feeders.

Figure 1: Evidence of squirrel gnawing on oak bark

PREVENTION

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to squirrels. Squirrel proofing homes and buildings is much more efficient than trying to eradicate squirrels and repair their damage. To keep squirrels from accessing a building, try to prune branches out to ten feet from the roofline. Cap chimneys with a chimney cover to keep squirrels from entering your home through your fireplace. Apply a screen vent to all vents that access your home with ¼” hardware cloth or something of similar or stronger material. Do not use chicken wire or any other thin covering that can be chewed through by a squirrel. Be sure to screw in these coverings with washers to secure the edges of the cover.

With the close proximity of trees in town, it is near impossible to keep squirrels from jumping from one yard to another. If you do live on a property that has at least 10 feet of space between tree canopies you can apply an aluminum flashing to prevent squirrels from climbing from the ground. Flashings need to be about 3 feet wide and need to be at least 6 feet from the ground. Remember to include ¼’ shives to space the flashing from the tree. Most folks do not want to have an aluminum belt around their trees, so this is not a very popular option for most urban homeowners.

When trying to protect bird feeders there are three strategies. Strategy #1 is to select an area that will naturally deter squirrels. Pick a spot in the open where squirrels cannot access from trees. Strategy #2 is to utilize baffles in the design of your feeder to exclude squirrels. A baffle is a physical barrier that prevents squirrels from reaching the feeder via climbing. Cone and tube baffles are examples of popular feeder guards. Strategy #3 is to minimize fallen seed. Even if you’ve placed your feeder in an area away from trees and installed baffles, squirrels are attracted to the wasted seed on the ground. Many animals are selective of the seed they consume and will often discard half of the bird seed to pick out their preferred food. Avoid buying mixed seed and instead buy individual types of seed and feed in individual feeders to eliminate waste. Also buying shelled/hulled seeds will eliminate shells being tossed to the ground. Installing a seed catcher below the feeder can also keep the seed from squirrels.

Figure 2: Example of a pipe baffle (left) and cone baffle (right)

CONTROL

When planning a squirrel control regime, you must do so with the understanding that you are not going to eradicate the squirrels and that there are no silver bullets. There are several options available to home owners to control squirrels.

Trapping is probably the most popular and effective tool for controlling squirrels. When trapping it is important to place the traps where squirrels frequent (i.e., tree branches, rooftops, etc.), rather than trying to bait them to an area. There are lethal and non-lethal options for trapping squirrels, but regardless of which option you choose you should consult an expert before implementing a trapping program. If you choose to live trap, it is important that you buy a trap that is large enough and built with sturdy enough material that the squirrel cannot escape or injure itself. Partially covering a live trap will help to keep the squirrel calm and safe from the elements until you have time to check the trap. You should check traps at least daily and try to dispose of squirrels in a sanitary and humane fashion. When using a lethal trap, be sure to use traps rated for squirrels and do not use mouse/rat traps as they can be inhumane to use on a larger animal. If you choose to use a lethal trap try to be mindful of its placement so that you do not upset neighbors or passersby. Tunnel traps tend to be very effective lethal options for squirrels. 

 

Figure 3: Examples of a non-lethal live trap (left) and a lethal tunnel trap (right)

If you do not choose to trap, repellants can be effective if used properly. Noise repellants and false predators (owls) are ineffective and not worth the money and labor. Predator scents such as fox/coyote urine are also usually ineffective. There are several repellants on the market for squirrels in both spray-on and granule form. Havahart, Ropel and Bonide, amongst others are popular repellant brands.  Most repellants only last up to one month, so be prepared to re-apply on a schedule. Rain and weather can also shorten repellant life.

In closing, it looks like squirrels are here to stay in Monahans. With a little bit of prevention, squirrels can be a pleasant part of our landscapes without wearing out their welcome.

SOURCES

Vantassel, S.(2013, August  16). Tree Squirrels [Webinar]. eXtension. Retrieved from  https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/p8tykg57658/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

Pennisi, L. & Vantassel, S. (2012). Selective Bird Feeding: Deterring Nuisance Wildlife from Bird Feeders, EC1783 University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension. Retrieved from http://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/ec1783.pdf

AgriLife Extension Offers Tips to Avoid Zika

BY: Steve Byrns

 

Sonja Swiger, Extension Veterinary Entomologist gives 5 tips on the Zika Virus

The mosquito-transmitted Zika virus is a potential threat to the health of unborn babies in Texas and other states, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has stepped up efforts  to educate the public on ways to protect themselves from this new menace, said agency entomologists.

“While people enjoy outdoor activities and travel this summer, it’s important to remember that our first line of defense against Zika is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes,” said Dr. Sonja Swiger, AgriLife Extension entomologist at Stephenville. “The Aedes aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes that transmit Zika occur commonly in our backyards where their eggs are laid and larvae live in standing water. Like other mosquito species, they are active at sunrise and sunset, but commonly bite throughout the day as well.”

Swiger said it’s important to remember the “Four Ds” as a first line of defense. They are:

               -- Drain: Empty standing water, thus eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

               -- Dress: Put on long sleeved shirts and pants when going outside.

-- Defend: Apply mosquito repellent when going outside.

-- Dusk and Dawn: Avoid outdoor activity during these two most mosquito-active periods.

Swiger said simple steps such as repairing screen doors and window are critically important to keeping mosquitoes out. Managing  landscape water features is another key area in the fight against the spread of the Zika virus. 

“Mosquito dunks, commonly sold in garden centers for mosquito control in home water features, can be used to treat water that cannot be readily drained,” she said. “The dunks contain insect growth regulators or mosquito-specific bacteria to effectively control mosquito larvae. Neither approach is harmful to fish or other aquatic organisms.”

Dr. Mike Merchant, AgriLife Extension urban entomologist at Dallas, said that fighting Zika will be much different than fighting West Nile virus.  Aedes mosquitoes infected with Zika are not easily detected, so health officials have to rely on actual human cases to identify hot spots.

“In addition, city and county truck-mounted sprayers are less effective at killing Aedes mosquitoes, so stopping these mosquitoes in each and every backyard is even more important.  Everyone will need to pitch in,” he said.

“Anything that holds water should be dumped or treated. Breeding areas can include sites as benign as containers under potted plants and bird baths. Other trouble areas are old tires, empty cans and bottles, kiddie pools, buckets, boat tarps and even clogged gutters

.

“It doesn’t take much water for them to reproduce,” he said.  “Small containers can hold enough water to breed mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes don’t travel far from their larval habitat, so if you’ve got them, chances are you unknowingly raised them.”

Swiger said there are many mosquito repellents available, but all approved formulations share two  commonalities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration of these repellent products means first, that the active ingredient has been tested and is safe for people to use, and second, that it’s effective in repelling mosquitoes when used as directed.

“EPA and the Centers for Disease Control have evaluated scientific reports and conclude mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, called IR3535, as active ingredients provide reasonably long-lasting protection from mosquito bites,” Swiger said.

“Users should always read and follow label instructions. Most repellents can be used on children over two months of age, with the exception of those containing oil of lemon eucalyptus, which should not be used on children younger than 3 years old. For babies under two months of age, infant carriers fitted with mosquito netting are recommended. Pregnant and breast-feeding mothers can safely use EPA-approved insect repellents.”

Swiger said constant vigilance is the key to slowing Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus.

“It’s the global world we live in today,” she said. “As people travel and return from areas affected by Zika, some will return carrying the virus. When Aedes mosquitoes bite infected people, they acquire the virus. The mosquito then transmits it to an uninfected person, passing the virus to them.” 

Swiger said that as of this writing, there are 46 recorded cases of Zika in Texas, all travel associated, except for one contracted sexually from their partner who traveled. No Texas mosquitoes have been found to be infected.

“Epidemics are expected as infected people arrive and locally acquired infections occur,” she said. “As the many media accounts report, women infected by the virus while pregnant are known to have babies with severe neurological defects. Aside from mosquito infections, additional cases may occur from sexual transmission of the disease. So at this point, controlling mosquitoes and protecting yourself from infection are the two key factors in the rigorous defense against this new mosquito-borne  virus threat.”

August 2016 4-H FLASH