I wrote this story for my reporting class. If you have any (and I mean ANY) questions about squirrels, ask me. I probably know. Enjoy.
Memphis’ squirrels coexist with humans, adapt to an ever-changing environment, drive dogs nutty, and continue to thrive.
“Squirrels have been fairly consistent for 20 years,” said Ken Robinson, wildlife removal specialist at Coopertown Chimney Services.
The squirrels Memphians know best are eastern gray squirrels. As their name suggests, these squirrels are predominantly gray in color. They have a white underbelly and a large bushy tail. Native to the East and Midwest of the United States, these squirrels have an average lifespan of five to six years. Their diet consists of seeds, acorns, walnuts, and tree bark. Eastern gray squirrels, also known as grey squirrels, mate twice a year, in mid-winter and late summer, and normally have litters of two to four, though sometimes litters can be as large as six to eight.
As the end of February approaches, many Memphis homeowners will soon find themselves living with a few uninvited roommates. Every January, Memphis’ squirrels search for spots to build nests. While many squirrels settle in trees, others take residence in Memphis homes. They get into chimneys, basements, and most frequently, attics. Squirrels chew through siding on houses to gain entry and upon reaching the attic, they build nests near the edges or crooks of the house. Robinson explains why squirrels invade Memphians’ attics.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time it’s a female,” said Robinson. “They are looking for a dry place, a warm place. They chew their way in January and have their litter in the last part of February.”
Squirrels can cause extensive damage to homes. According to Robinson, they chew through electrical wires and insulation and can bring fleas and ticks into the house. They can also carry rabies. When he removes squirrels from homes, Robinson uses humane traps and sprays.
“We use a non-toxic spray to convince them to leave,” said Robinson. “They think there’s a predator up there.”
Traps similar to one-way doors catch the squirrels when they exit the house. Once deposed from their former residence, the squirrels are relocated to designated areas.
“It’s all very humane,” said Robinson.
Reece Daugherty, animal technician at Lichterman Nature Center, supports humane squirrel removal. He says squirrels aren’t just troublemakers.
“In some ways they’re a nuisance, but in many ways they’re important to the environment,” he said.
Squirrels spend the majority of their time searching for and burying nuts.
“The number one thing they do is look for nuts,” said Daugherty.
However, many times squirrels forget where they buried a nut and it remains in the ground. These “forgotten nuts” then grow into trees. Squirrels help the tree population even though they aren’t doing it on purpose, said Daugherty.
The squirrel is also a key cog in the Memphis area food chain.
“Ninety percent of a hawk’s diet is squirrel,” stated Daugherty.
Daugherty also pointed out that removing squirrels from homes via poison has a negative effect on the food chain. Poison puts the squirrel’s predators, the hawk, dog, cat, fox, and snake, at risk as well. He suggests the best way to control squirrels is through structural devices, such as squirrel guards for bird feeders, and sealing holes and crevices in houses and sheds.
Memphis resident Matt Kelly follows another squirrel prevention method.
“I have a lot of cats,” said Kelly. “They keep the squirrel population in check.”
Besides the fact it is illegal to own a pet squirrel in Tennessee, Daugherty and Robinson both agree that even squirrel enthusiasts should think twice before picking out a new squirrel companion.
“They’ll bite ‘em on the thumb,” said Robinson.
Some pet squirrels run away and later return to nest in its owner’s attic, Robinson added.
Daugherty emphasized that caring for a squirrel is not like caring for a cat or a dog.
“I think they’re pretty high-maintenance,” said Daugherty. “You can’t just give them a big bowl of nuts.”
“Squirrels have been fairly consistent for 20 years,” said Ken Robinson, wildlife removal specialist at Coopertown Chimney Services.
The squirrels Memphians know best are eastern gray squirrels. As their name suggests, these squirrels are predominantly gray in color. They have a white underbelly and a large bushy tail. Native to the East and Midwest of the United States, these squirrels have an average lifespan of five to six years. Their diet consists of seeds, acorns, walnuts, and tree bark. Eastern gray squirrels, also known as grey squirrels, mate twice a year, in mid-winter and late summer, and normally have litters of two to four, though sometimes litters can be as large as six to eight.
As the end of February approaches, many Memphis homeowners will soon find themselves living with a few uninvited roommates. Every January, Memphis’ squirrels search for spots to build nests. While many squirrels settle in trees, others take residence in Memphis homes. They get into chimneys, basements, and most frequently, attics. Squirrels chew through siding on houses to gain entry and upon reaching the attic, they build nests near the edges or crooks of the house. Robinson explains why squirrels invade Memphians’ attics.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time it’s a female,” said Robinson. “They are looking for a dry place, a warm place. They chew their way in January and have their litter in the last part of February.”
Squirrels can cause extensive damage to homes. According to Robinson, they chew through electrical wires and insulation and can bring fleas and ticks into the house. They can also carry rabies. When he removes squirrels from homes, Robinson uses humane traps and sprays.
“We use a non-toxic spray to convince them to leave,” said Robinson. “They think there’s a predator up there.”
Traps similar to one-way doors catch the squirrels when they exit the house. Once deposed from their former residence, the squirrels are relocated to designated areas.
“It’s all very humane,” said Robinson.
Reece Daugherty, animal technician at Lichterman Nature Center, supports humane squirrel removal. He says squirrels aren’t just troublemakers.
“In some ways they’re a nuisance, but in many ways they’re important to the environment,” he said.
Squirrels spend the majority of their time searching for and burying nuts.
“The number one thing they do is look for nuts,” said Daugherty.
However, many times squirrels forget where they buried a nut and it remains in the ground. These “forgotten nuts” then grow into trees. Squirrels help the tree population even though they aren’t doing it on purpose, said Daugherty.
The squirrel is also a key cog in the Memphis area food chain.
“Ninety percent of a hawk’s diet is squirrel,” stated Daugherty.
Daugherty also pointed out that removing squirrels from homes via poison has a negative effect on the food chain. Poison puts the squirrel’s predators, the hawk, dog, cat, fox, and snake, at risk as well. He suggests the best way to control squirrels is through structural devices, such as squirrel guards for bird feeders, and sealing holes and crevices in houses and sheds.
Memphis resident Matt Kelly follows another squirrel prevention method.
“I have a lot of cats,” said Kelly. “They keep the squirrel population in check.”
Besides the fact it is illegal to own a pet squirrel in Tennessee, Daugherty and Robinson both agree that even squirrel enthusiasts should think twice before picking out a new squirrel companion.
“They’ll bite ‘em on the thumb,” said Robinson.
Some pet squirrels run away and later return to nest in its owner’s attic, Robinson added.
Daugherty emphasized that caring for a squirrel is not like caring for a cat or a dog.
“I think they’re pretty high-maintenance,” said Daugherty. “You can’t just give them a big bowl of nuts.”
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