Squirrel Removal and Facts

TREE SQUIRRELS

Squirrels are a common sight throughout California. The Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus) is seen quite often in wooded areas or in parks. They are a wonderful sight to behold, funny and charming. Squirrels in the San Francisco Bay Area range in length from 17 to 28 inches. They can weigh 12 to 38 ounces. The Gray Squirrel has gray fur with a white belly while the Fox Squirrel is much larger and has a rust colored belly. These Squirrels have one litter per year with 3 to 5 young born in March through June after a gestation period of 30 to 44 days.

GROUND SQUIRRELS

The California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) is brownish gray with a bushy tail. They weigh about 9 to 26 ounces and are approximately 14 to 20 inches in length. These Squirrels mate in spring and have one litter each year of 5 to 8 young which are usually born in May. They make many burrows with mounds in open areas of Napa, Sonoma, Marin, Solano, Sacramento, Yolo and other counties we service. Often these burrows are found in our customers backyards. The California Ground Squirrel is active during daylight hours and often hibernates from November through February. This Squirrel eats insects and small creatures but loves plant material such as bulbs, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits and berries. It often does damage to fruits, nuts and grains. Fleas on ground Squirrels can cause bubonic plague.

DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES

We are often called to such cities as Tiburon, Novato, San Rafael, Sonoma, Napa, Vacaville, Fairfield, Danville, Alamo, Davis and Sacramento to trap and remove Squirrels from attics or under floors. These Squirrels can be very destructive to homeowners and businesses. They can easily chew into attics and once inside cause major structural damage. As a former firefighter I can tell you they are often the cause of fires in properties by chewing through electrical wire and they have the ability to do this in a matter of seconds. Squirrels often bring dry grass and leaf material into these spaces for their nests which are also a fire hazard. Squirrels can create issues under homes as well.

SQUIRRELS IN KITCHEN HOODS

Squirrels are very inquisitive animals and we get calls to remove these and other animals that happen to fall into the exhaust pipe above kitchen hoods. Customers hear scratching coming from these areas and it’s always a surprise as to what critter comes out to say hi.