They are cute to look at, fun to watch them play, and some are so used to us that they’ll take an acorn out of your hand. However, trap a squirrel in your attic or basement, and you may think a bomb went off. Today, the little fuzz balls are considered a nuisance pest, but it wasn’t always that way. In the 1700s, it was chic to have a squirrel as a pet. Wealthy families lavished their furry pets with gold leashes and custom-made jewelry. They even had portraits of their children commissioned with the family pet. Benjamin Franklin had such fondness that he shipped one back to England for a friend, which, unfortunately, was immediately killed by the family dog. Upon hearing the news, Franklin penned a eulogy for the animal. 

In the 1800s, they were sold in such numbers in pet shops that it would equate to seventy-billion dollars in today’s value. By the 1900s, however, the public view changed, and they became despised pests. In Missouri, they are considered game animals and are hunted during their open season, and an estimated 700,000 are taken annually. However, they can be taken year-round if they are on your property or in your home, causing damage.

In New York, they are considered game animals and are hunted during their open season. With 60,000 small game hunters allowed up to six per day, the number of squirrels taken can be enormous.  However, if they are on your property or in your home causing damage, they can be taken year-round. Three common species call New York home: the fox, the gray, the red, and the flying squirrel. The flying species are nocturnal and rarely seen in the daytime.

Most basic homeowner’s insurance does not cover damages by small animals, their removal, or cleanup from feces and urine. The damage they cause can be extensive, even if it is just one of them. In 2020, a single squirrel fell down the chimney of a Los Angeles home while the owners were on vacation. They returned a week later to thousands of dollars in damages and another $2,000 to clean and sanitize the home. Imagine a whole family living in your attic.

In your attic, they can wreak havoc. Squirrels can chew through the fascia board, creating an opening for the elements and other animals to get in. Once inside, they chew on wood, PVC pipes, and wiring, tear up insulation for nesting, and contaminate the surroundings with their bodily fluids. In 2019, myEnergy of Mississippi reported squirrels caused 15,000 animal-induced power outages. In 2018, The American Public Power Association attributed them to 8% of all power failures. Cruzio Internet has had so many telecommunication cables chewed they double and triple connections.

They also pose a threat directly to us and our pets. While it is rare for them to have rabies, there is a slew of other pathogens they carry. These include tularemia, E. coli, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, and the plague. They also carry parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites.

If one of these pests tries to move in to your home or property, contact Patriot Wildlife. We have been serving the counties of Monroe, Ontario and Wayne, and the surrounding areas for many years. As the top-rated company in the region, we promise an excellent result for a fair price. Contact us today for an estimate for all your nuisance wildlife needs.