Tree Squirrels Urban Wildlife Damage Control

Kansas has three species of tree pennysylvanicus can be found in the squirrels. Gray squirrels, fox squirrels eastern one-third of Kansas. At 17 to 1 and southern flying squirrels inhabit 19 ⁄2 inches, these squirrels are slightly various areas of the state. Gray and fox smaller than fox squirrels, and weigh 1 3 squirrels are the main nuisance animal 1 ⁄4 to 1 ⁄4 pounds. They are gray with in U.S. urban areas. white underparts and white-tipped tails. Gray squirrels, more than fox Fox Squirrels squirrels, normally prefer heavier The fox squirrel (Scuirus niger oak-hickory woodlots. Although fox rufiventer) is the most common species squirrels are prone to stay on the tail as a rudder. and can be found in most cities or towns ground for extended periods, gray Unlike the fox and gray squirrels, as well as in open woodlots, hedge rows squirrels prefer to spend more time flying squirrels are nocturnal. They and shelter belts of rural Kansas. Fox in trees. use their extremely large eyes and squirrels are the largest of the three Like fox squirrels, gray squirrels keen sense of smell for foraging at species averaging 18 to 27 inches from nest in tree cavities, nest boxes or leaf night. The flying squirrel’s diet is their nose to the tip of their tail and nests. Older females may give birth to 3 1 similar to that of the fox and gray weighing from 1 ⁄4 to 2 ⁄4 pounds. two litters per year while younger ones squirrels: nuts, fruits, berries, and The fox squirrel is so named only produce one. The average litter insects such as moths and beetles. because its color often resembles the size for both squirrel species is three. They readily use bird feeders and are brownish, red-orange of the red fox. Gray squirrels normally eat the same frequently responsible for seeds Not all fox squirrels exhibit this color. kind of nuts, berries, and grains as the mysteriously disappearing overnight. In fact, fox squirrels come in a variety fox squirrel. Both species require open Flying squirrels are shy animals. of colors including black, white and water within their home ranges. Their nocturnal lifestyle keeps them several shades of brown or gray. Southern Flying virtually unknown to many people. Older female fox squirrels may The flying squirrel nests in tree produce two litters of young annually, Squirrels cavities, often in abandoned wood- but young females will produce only The southern flying squirrel (Glau- 1 1 pecker holes. The southern species one litter. They nest in tree cavities, comys volans volans), 8 ⁄2 to 9 ⁄2 inches prefers abandoned orchards and artificial nest boxes and leaf nests. long, is the smallest tree squirrel mature hardwood or conifer woodlots. Fox squirrels can often be seen species found in Kansas. This squirrel They can also be found in parks and foraging on the ground. Occasionally, is a protected nongame species with older suburban neighborhoods with they eat young birds or eggs. Their viable populations limited to the mature vegetation. diet changes with the seasons. In the oak-hickory deciduous forests of six Their large eyes and soft, silky fur spring, fox squirrels feed on elm buds, southeastern Kansas counties. make flying squirrels quite attractive. sprouting oak leaves, wild gourds, It does not fly but glides on broad You can increase your chances of shrubs, fruits and even insects. During flaps of loose skin that extend along seeing them by building nest boxes the winter, they feed on Osage orange each side from the front legs to the and floodlighting bird feeders. seeds (hedge balls), bark and nuts flanks. The flying squirrel moves from Flying squirrels don’t create as buried in the fall. Gray and fox one tree to another, using its broad flat many problems as other tree squirrels, squirrels’ habit of burying nuts is responsible for many tree seedlings. Squirrels need trees for escape, cover Urban Wildlife Damage Control and dens. Unlike gray squirrels, fox Bats, L-855 Skunks, L-862 squirrels can be found in fairly open areas. Although populations are denser Birds, L-856 Tree Squirrels, L-863 in heavier timber, fox squirrels com- Blackbirds in Roosts, L-857 Snakes, L-864 monly inhabit hedge rows, shelter belts Cottontail Rabbits, L-858 Woodchucks, L-865 and urban areas throughout the state. Muskrats, L-859 Woodpeckers, L-866 Gray Squirrels Opossums, L-860 Woodrats, L-867 Two subspecies of gray squirrels, Raccoons, L-861 Scuirus carolinensis Gmelin and S.c.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service 1 closed season the rest of the year. Table 1. Reproduction of tree squirrels in Kansas Because using firearms within city limits generally is prohibited, shooting Species Mating Season Gestation Litter Size squirrels is not recommended in urban First Second Days Range Average areas. But if it is legal and open season, Gray Jan/Feb May/July 44 to 45 2 to 5 3 do not waste animals that have to be removed. They can provide an inexpen- Fox Jan/Feb May/July 44 to 45 1 to 6 3 sive and delicious meal. If squirrels are damaging a house, Flying Feb/Mar May/July 40 2 to 7 3 watch to see how they are getting in and trim tree limbs that are within jumping distance (5 to 6 feet) of the but they move into attics, vacant cabins timber, take care to leave den trees. The house. If squirrels are traveling along or walls and can cause damage. During optimum number of den trees or nest a power, cable TV or telephone line, slit winter, flying squirrels often gather in boxes is two per acre. Squirrels also a piece of plastic PVC pipe, 24 inches communal dens. Woodcutters may find need den trees near open water. Or tree long, and place it over the wire. When a a dozen or more in a hollow tree cavity. squirrels will use artificial nest boxes squirrel tries to cross it, the pipe rotates placed 10 to 20 feet above ground. Mating and the animal loses its footing. Be sure Plans for various nest boxes are to contact the local power company Tree squirrels in Kansas mate in available from K-State Research and before modifying power lines. mid- to late winter and again in early Extension or the Kansas Department of If a squirrel appears in the basement, summer. Litter sizes are similar among Wildlife and Parks. it has probably come down the species (Table 1). Normally, it is not necessary to plant chimney and out the furnace or Tree squirrels develop slowly food plots for tree squirrels, but if you fireplace damper opening. A squirrel compared to other rodents. Young are do, they should be placed close to den in a fireplace or attached chimney born naked and blind, with their ears trees and open water. cannot get out on its own and must be closed. Flying squirrels have the 1 1 Urban Damage removed from above or below. If the smallest offspring, ⁄8 to ⁄4 ounce, and squirrel entered through the chimney fox and gray squirrels the largest, about Although tree squirrels seldom pose 1 a problem in rural areas, this is not the flue, it may have built a nest or ⁄2 ounce. During the first few weeks fur case in urban settings. Occasionally, brought in material. Check for this develops. At about 4 weeks the ears obstruction and remove it. open, and by the sixth week, the eyes fox and gray squirrels enter attics and chimneys, damaging wiring and siding Cover chimneys or attic vents with are open, too. The young are weaned 1 of urban dwellings. ⁄2-inch mesh screen. When restricting and on their own in 2 to 3 months. Squirrels get in by traveling along access, make sure not to trap a squirrel Management electrical lines, cable TV wires, or by inside because of possible damage to the jumping from nearby tree limbs and home’s interior. If you find a squirrel in Tree squirrels provide relaxation and an attic or another part of a house, do enjoyment for the many Kansans who entering holes in siding, unscreened not try to chase it out. Open doors or spend time observing or photographing vents or chimneys. Once inside, they often damage insulation, wiring or windows and allow the squirrel to find wildlife. Fox and gray squirrels are also its own way out instead. If this is popular game animals with hunters. household contents. Most complaints unsuccessful, bait a live or cage trap, at You can improve woodlot habitats involve tree squirrels in attics or adjacent knee-walls. least 9 by 9 by 24 inches, with peanut by planting nut trees, including hicko- butter or nut meats. Once the squirrel is ries, walnuts, oaks or pecans. To protect Squirrels can also damage sweet corn, trapped, release it outdoors. new seedlings and young trees from tomatoes and other vegetables or flower bulbs and freshly planted seeds in urban Nest boxes provide homes for squirrels, place an expandable protective squirrels, reducing their need to enter wrap around their trunks. Use a gardens. They are often a nuisance yours. Nest boxes should be made of commercial wrap or make one from around bird feeders, frightening 1 desirable birds and scattering seeds. untreated wood or metal because ⁄4-inch mesh hardware cloth or hail squirrels often destroy boxes made of screen. Screens or wraps should extend Damage Control plastic plywood or particle board by 18 to 24 inches above the ground. The southern flying squirrel is fully gnawing on them. Extremely dense stands of timber protected in Kansas. Normally, fox and may require selective cutting to open gray squirrels may be legally taken as Tree Squirrels Around Bird Feeders them and enhance the growth of game animals from June 1 through Homeowners sometimes have beneficial trees. When harvesting December 31. They are protected by a problems keeping the squirrels out of

2 bird feeders. Tree squirrels should be 90-degree angle to discourage burrow- There are also squirrel feeders that considered part of the fauna and ing. Set at least two electrified strands, hang or impale cob corn. enjoyed along with the birds. one 2 to 6 inches above ground and the Squirrels are fond of sunflower Squirrels are often distracted by other at fence height, off the fence seeds and nuts, but nuts can get very feeding them ear or shelled corn away about 3 inches. expensive, especially when most end from or on the ground near suspended Protect newly planted bulbs with up buried rather than eaten. Collect bird feeders. Place bird feeders at least 1-inch mesh poultry wire. Dig a trench black walnuts, butternuts, hickory nuts 8 feet away and 6 feet off the ground. slightly deeper than the desired depth or acorns in the fall and store them in Plastic piping offers a new way to of planting and fit the poultry wire in mesh bags to use later. outsmart squirrels. Place this pipe over the bottom. Add dirt and plant the Trapping ropes or wires suspending feeders so bulbs. Place another strip of poultry As with all trapping, be sure it is squirrels cannot get a good footing. wire over the plantings so that the open season and you are not violating You can also use baffles to keep bulbs are completely encased, and any local or city laws. Always take squirrels from climbing on wires finish covering with dirt. precautions to reduce the hazards of leading to feeders. Clear plastic baffles To stop squirrels from stripping the trapping nontarget wildlife or pets. If are available from companies that sell bark off ornamental trees and shrubs, legal, a good trapping program can bird feeders, or you can make your own. wrap trees with metal sheeting or eliminate troublesome tree squirrels Remember, baffles must be big enough protect them with squirrel baffles, as from an area. Several types of traps so squirrels cannot crawl over them. you would a bird-feeder pole. Tree can be used to take tree squirrels. wrap keeps squirrels from gnawing on A modified wooden box-type Exclusion bark by keeping them out of the tree. gopher trap has been used quite Squirrels enter houses through Wrap all trees within branch-to-branch successfully. To modify a gopher trap, many natural or created openings such jumping distance. This method works lengthen the trigger slot with a rat-tail as holes along the soffits where boards well on trees near feeders or around file or pocket knife so the trigger can have rotted out, unscreened attic vents, your house. Prune trees near the house swing unhindered and the squirrel can uncapped chimneys, broken or open that give squirrels access to the roof. pass beneath the swinging loop of the windows and doors, and electrical wire Remember to allow for tree growth unset trap. Remove the back of the and utility pipe openings. when wrapping. If you have a continu- trap and replace it with hardware cloth, Never knowingly tolerate a squirrel ous tree canopy that allows squirrels which allows the animal to see the bait in your house. Preventive maintenance easy movement, you will have to find from both ends, but prevents it from is the best defense against unwelcome other means of control. entering the trap from the back. squirrels and other wildlife. Periodi- Feeding is the easiest way to prevent For a dual-assembly trap, place two cally inspect for potential entrances squirrels from stripping tree bark. box traps back to back and secure and make necessary repairs. Make sure Scatter shelled or cob field corn on the them to a board (Figure 1). Connect squirrels or other animals are out of ground near the trees or bird feeder, or them with a small strip of hardware the attic before sealing entrances place it on a shallow feeding platform. cloth to form the baiting area. Place because if you seal them in the attic, they can do even more damage trying to escape. Cover the insides of attic vents and similar openings with 1 ⁄2-inch hardware cloth; repair rotten boards along soffits or behind eaves troughs; and replace broken windows, cap chimneys and fill electrical-wire and utility-pipe openings. Squirrelproof valuable trees by placing 2-foot wide metal bands around them, 6 feet off the ground. Trim overhanging branches to prevent access. Protect valuable crops by building a fence of 1-inch mesh wire. The fence should be at least 30 inches high and extend 6 inches below ground, with an Figure 1. Dual assembly box-type squirrel trap additional 6 inches bent outward at a 3 bait through a small door cut through tree squirrels. It is important to get the but traps set at entry holes leave the wire or through the open ends. proper size trap, because one that is squirrels no option except to enter. For safety, place the multiple-box too small or too large will either not be Repellants and Poisons trap inside a lidded box. Enclosing the successful or will catch nontarget Some repellants, of questionable trap minimizes the chances of acciden- animals. The proper size cage-type effectiveness, are registered for use on tally catching pets or birds. trap has a 6 by 6 inch opening and is tree squirrels in Kansas. Poisons may A Conibear trap with a jawspread of 24 inches long. One with a door on not be used to kill tree squirrels 4 inches or less, is also an effective each end, so the squirrel can see because they place other wildlife and tree squirrel trap. The wire trigger through the trap, is preferable. pets at risk. permits the trap to be used baited or A baited trap is better than an un- For further assistance contact unbaited. It is best to construct a baited one. Set the bait elevated about Wildlife Damage Control, 131 Call wooden shell and put a No. 110 6 inches off the ground so the scent Hall, Kansas State University, Man- Conibear trap inside. Then set the shell drifts toward the approaching squirrel. hattan, Kansas 66506, (785) 532-5734. with traps inside on a limb used by Peanuts and peanut butter on bread are squirrels. But do not place it in the superior baits for tree squirrels. Other path of pets or other nontarget animals. favorites are nut meats, fruits and Positioning the trap well inside the seeds, including corn and apples. shell reduces the hazard of catching It is a good idea to set the trap pets or birds. Before setting them, directly in the squirrels’ travel lane. It is leave traps in place in the shell until often necessary to build a fence to squirrels freely pass through. funnel the squirrel into the trap. In some The standard cage-type box trap is situations, unbaited traps set directly in the most common trap for catching their line of travel may be successful,

Charles Lee Wildlife Specialist

Brand names appearing in this publication are for product identification purposes only. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not mentioned. Publications from Kansas State University are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu

Contents of this publication may be freely reproduced for educational purposes. All other rights reserved. In each case, credit Charles Lee, Tree Squirrels, Urban Wildlife Damage Control, Kansas State University, October 1992.

Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service L-863 October 1992 It is the policy of Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and materials without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age or disability. Kansas State University is an equal opportunity organization. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, Marc A. Johnson, Director.

4