Squirrel Removal MD

If you have a squirrel problem in Maryland give us a call at
443-417-3137 or 240-599-6815 to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled Wildlife Control Technicians.

EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL  (Sciurus carolinensis)

HABITAT AND HABITS

The Gray Squirrel inhabits every county in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Virginia, and New Jersey.  Their body length is 8” to 10” and their bushy tail is 7” to 10” long.  In the summer the Gray Squirrel has gray fur with a brownish tint on the tips.  In the winter months the Gray Squirrel has a white patch behind both ears.

The reproduction rate and survival rate of the Gray Squirrel depends on the availability of food in the area such as acorns.  Some areas may be hit by extreme drought causing trees to product less nuts, berries and fruit.  In these cases the Gray Squirrel may only give birth to one little that year instead of two or have fewer babies per litter.  Extreme cold and heavy snows force the Gray Squirrel to feed on tree bark and other non-nutritional substances causing high mortality rates during the winter months.  High winds are the cause of death for many baby Gray Squirrels that are blown out of their nest.

During non-breeding periods the male Gray Squirrel also known as the boar, will carry their testicles inside the body during non-breeding periods.  During breeding periods the males testicles will enlarge and drop externally.  Male Gray Squirrels can detect the sent of a female that is ready to breed up to one mile away.  Once females are ready to breed, males will put on quite a show to gain her interest.  Usually the dominate male in the area wins the contest and begins a courtship with the female until she is ready to breed.

The female Gray Squirrel is called a sow and has up to two litters a year (depending on the abundants of food) which consist of  between two to six young per litter.  December through January and May through June are the two primary breeding periods of the year.  Most breeding females are yearlings or adults however some juveniles born in December or January may reproduce their first litter in May to June.  Females are pregnant for  about 44 days.   New born Gray Squirrels are hairless, pink and weigh about a ½ ounce.   Baby Gray Squirrels also called kittens, are born with their eyes and ears closed and no teeth.  The kittens grow about one inch per week, after the first 3 weeks their ears open and the teeth begin developing,  at 5 weeks old their eyes open.  At 8 weeks old the kittens begin adventuring outside the nest chewing on different materials to learn what is eatable and what is not.

Gray Squirrels eat between 1 ½ to 2 pounds of food per week. The Gray Squirrel is a hardy animal that is active year round thriving in areas where trees are abundant.  They feed on a variety of nuts, seeds, fungi, fruit, tree bark, some insects, and bird eggs.  They also gnaw on bones and other hard surfaced materials to keep their teeth from over growing.  Gray Squirrels have a brain that is a little smaller than a walnut.  Like most mammals Gray Squirrels communicate with each other by chirps and squeaky sounds.  They have long sharp claws that aid them when climbing trees, buildings,  and help them accessing foods.

PARASITES AND DISEASES

FLEAS are very common on the Gray Squirrel.  If Gray Squirrels are in your atticfleas will eventually make their way down into the living space of your home.  Once fleas have established their selves and have a food source they will multiple by the hundreds and become a very annoying pest problem.  The most effective way to get rid of fleas is to contact a professional pest control company.  If you have fleas call Mid-Atlantic Wildlife Control at 443-417-3137.

RABIES is not a common disease in the Gray Squirrel.  In 2010 their were a total of 22 rabies cases in Baltimore County and 32 cases in Baltimore City.

SQUIRREL POX  is a viral disease which produces  tumors all over  the skin of Gray Squirrels and Fox Squirrels. Multiple skin tumors on Gray Squirrels in Maryland started being reported in 1953. Since then, reports of squirrels with skin tumors have come from Florida, New York, Virginia, North Carolina, and Ontario. In Michigan, they have been found on both Gray and Fox Squirrels in the lower peninsula.

HOW MARYLANDS GRAY SQUIRRELS ACCESS  YOUR HOME

Gray Squirrels are experts when it comes to accessing rooftops and attics.   Gray Squirrels can jump up to 19 feet from a tree onto a rooftop, in other cases the Gray Squirrel will climb straight up the side of the home or building  especially if the home or building is constructed of brick or stone.  If a home or building has a chimney that is constructed out of brick, stone or any other rough surface material,  then the Gray Squirrels can climb up the chimney to access the rooftop.  Once the Gray Squirrel has an accessible route to your rooftop they will find existing gaps or holes that will allow them to enter the attic.  If there are no existing gaps or holes around the rooftop then the Gray Squirrel will chew through any vulnerable area around the rooftop such as soffits boards, fascia boards, drip edges, and behind gutters that do not have animal proof gutter guards attached.  Gray Squirrels will also enter homes through any vents that have large openings, gaps or vents that are not secure to the home.  They also enter chimneys that do not have animal proof chimney caps on the top.

Once the Gray Squirrel is inside the attic they begin making themselves a home.  They will locate a corner that is most suitable for them to build a nest.  When making a nest they will gather insulation and arrange  the insulation until it’s comfortable to them.  Gray Squirrels will gather nuts and other foods and bring them into the attic.

If you have or have had  Gray Squirrels in your attic then you most likely have a dangerous electrical problem in your attic.  Gray Squirrels are notorious for chewing on electrical wiring in attics which causes a dangerous fire hazard to you and your family.  In many cases people discover that they have a Gray Squirrel problem in their attic when a light flickers on and off or a light simply wont come on at all anymore.   About 25% of all house fires in the United States are caused by Gray Squirrels and other rodents chewing on electric wirers.  Gray Squirrels also cause many power outages throughout the United States.   Gray Squirrels will climb electric poles and chew on  the wiring in the transformers and chew on the electric cables.  Each year Gray Squirrels cause more power outages then lightening and have caused power outages  that have shut down the New York Stock Market twice.   Gray Squirrels cause power outages every day in New York City.  In 2006 they caused over 16,000 power outages in the state of Georgia.  If you have a squirrel problem then you should  have a professional inspect your attic immediately.

Gray Squirrels will make a terrible mess of insulation inside of your attic.  Feces and urine will soak into attic insulation which hinders the soul purpose of the insulation which is to protect your home from the cold weather.   Feces and urine will also stain the sheet rock ceiling that is under the attic insulation and will eventually cause a terrible musky smell in your home.

WHAT WE DO TO RESOLVE YOUR GRAY SQUIRRELS PROBLEM

Mid-Atlantic Wildlife Control uses the most up to date techniques and devices to resolve your Gray Squirrel problems.  Our technicians perform a thorough inspection to locate all entry points, any existing nest site, soiled insulation and any other damage that has been caused by Gray Squirrels.  We combine proven to work techniques to trap and or evict Gray Squirrels from your home and to keep them from re-entering.   If you have a Gray Squirrel problem don’t let the damage accumulate,  give us a call and a technician will assist you.

SERVICES WE OFFER FOR GRAY SQIRREL PROBLEMS

• Inspections
• Live capture trapping
• Attic cleanouts
• Disinfectants and sanitizers
• Oder elimination
• Animal proof vent covers
• Animal proof gutter guards
• Animal proof chimney caps
• Consultations
• Complete damage repair including insurance claims

MARYLAND COUNTIES WE SERVE

• Ÿ  Anne Arundel
• Ÿ  Baltimore City
• Ÿ  Baltimore County
• Ÿ  Calvert County
• Ÿ  Carroll County
• Ÿ  Caroline County
• Ÿ  Cecil County
• Ÿ  Charles County
• Ÿ  Dorchester County
• Ÿ  Fredrick County
• Ÿ  Harford County
• Ÿ  Howard County
• Ÿ  Kent County
• Ÿ  Montgomery County
• Ÿ  Prince George’s County
• Ÿ  Queen Anne’s County
• Ÿ  St. Mary’s County
• Ÿ  Somerset County
• Ÿ  Talbot County
• Ÿ  Washington County
• Ÿ  Wicomico County
• Ÿ  Worchester County