Am I Dealing With Flying Squirrels or Gray Squirrels?

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Squirrels can be fun to watch from afar, but that is about the only time they are considered to be enjoyable. Once they get inside your home the fun stops and the trouble begins. Squirrels can cause serious damage and are considered to be a health risk for you and your family. If squirrels manage to find their way in, they will usually reside within the walls and attics of houses. This means they have perfect access to electrical wiring, which they won’t be afraid to chew. Any sort of electrical damage poses a serious fire risk. Like most forms of wildlife, squirrels leave behind droppings ruining insulation and posing a sanitary issue. They also can carry parasites into your home, affecting your family and/or pets.

It’s a common mistake to confuse flying squirrels with gray squirrels. So how can you tell the difference between the two? Gray squirrels are frequently found in the New York area. They are gray, have short, thick hair and a bushy tail. They are long, between 6 and 15 inches and are larger in comparison to other squirrels. The key characteristic to focus on is the fact that they are gray from head to toe. Flying squirrels are gray/brown, however, their underbellies are light gray/white. They are smaller than gray squirrels, ranging from 8-12 inches. Another characteristic that stands out is their large, beady, black eyes.

Now that you know the differences, it’s important to prevent either of them from invading your home. Squirrels enter homes and other buildings in search of shelter during the colder months. They aim for attics, walls, and chimneys. There are a few general prevention tips to help keep squirrels out. First, start by eliminating food sources around your home, i.e. garbage cans or bird feeders. Second is to do some home improvement by sealing up any holes on the exterior of your home, especially around the roof area. This includes investing in a chimney cap if you don’t have one and putting mesh over any open vents. You may also need to replace any loose or missing shingles. Lastly, trim back tree branches that are close to your home. These tips won’t guarantee that a squirrel can’t get into your home, but it can certainly help.

If squirrels have already entered your home it is important to contact a wildlife removal specialist such as Thomas Pest. Thomas Pest recommends avoiding do-it-yourself ways to remove wildlife because it can be a long and dangerous process. Thomas Pest is a family owned company and has a highly trained team that will rid your home of squirrels in a humane way. Thomas Pest will leave you feeling satisfied and comfortable enough that you will enjoy watching the squirrels frolic in the woods—far away from your home.


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