Why Are There So Many Squirrels In My Durham Yard

Summer is a big time for squirrels in Durham. They’re hitting their second breeding season of the year and getting ready for the coming winter. Squirrels have to take advantage of the summer to fatten up and shore up their food stores before the fall. They might not have sufficient stores to get through the winter if they wait until autumn to start stuffing their nests. You see an uptick in squirrel activity as the summer progresses. These rodents don’t have a moment to spare between now and the first frost. This can make them a massive problem for Durham pest control DIYers and professionals alike. 

The Types Of Squirrels That Hang Around Durham Yards

We’ve got five species of tree squirrel in North Carolina: the fox, grey, and red squirrels and the southern and northern flying squirrels. The eastern grey squirrel is the most common pest squirrel you’ll run into, but any other species could also pose problems for your property. These squirrels are all distinct varieties with distinct looks, but they all have many things in common, including their penchant for destroying property and the potential for spreading disease. This is why pest control for squirrels is so vital, though it may not seem that way. 

The Diseases Squirrels Are Capable Of Spreading

Squirrels are cute and fluffy with their big, bushy tails. So a lot of people forget they’re rodents. Though they’re not gross like rats and mice, they can still spread diseases such as leptospirosis, salmonella, and tularemia. You’re less likely to contact squirrel waste directly than you are with that of rats and mice, so you don’t have to worry as much about directly contracting a disease from a squirrel. 

You have to worry about the diseases carried by the parasites that hitch a ride on squirrels. Squirrels are usually covered in fleas and ticks, and they can easily introduce a breeding population of these pests to your property. This can, in turn, expose you to dangerous illnesses like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. 

Effective Squirrel Prevention Tips For Durham Properties

It’s much more convenient to prevent squirrels than to call out wildlife control services to handle them. Unfortunately, squirrels are sometimes harder to repel than rats and mice because they can climb so well and tend to live outdoors. However, there are a few things you can do: 

• Harvest fruits and nuts that fall from trees before squirrels can get them. 
• Keep nets on gutters or clean them frequently to remove food items. 
• Cover holes that lead into attics or other high-altitude areas where squirrels could nest. 
• Plug hollows in trees if you can. 
• Use fake owls or hawks to frighten squirrels away from your yard.

If you go for scarecrow items like fake owls, you’ll need to rotate them every few days so squirrels don’t realize they’re not real. 

The Safest Way To Keep Squirrels Away From Your Property

If you wind up with a squirrel infestation despite your best efforts, the safest thing to do is let the wildlife experts here at The Eco Man Pest Solutions handle it. We’re the best of the best companies for home pest control in Durham, and we can take whatever variety and number of squirrels you’ve got infesting your property. So give us a call or visit our contact page if you’re ready to stop your squirrely problems!