There are some suggestions that the squirrel population in Dallas–Fort Worth is booming. Oak trees in and around DFW are the ideal tree for squirrels. The acorn provide the perfect diet for squirrels, and the large branches create plenty of places to build a nest. Brett Johnson, an urban biologist for Dallas Park and Recreation, speculated as we have planted more trees squirrels were able to thrive in the city (source).
The most common pest squirrel in Dallas is the Eastern gray squirrel.
Types of Squirrels in Dallas-Fort Worth
Tree Squirrels
In Dallas, the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) are the two most common tree squirrels. Both species thrive in urban, suburban, and wooded areas, often nesting in tree cavities or attics. The fox squirrel is larger and more reddish-brown, while the gray squirrel is smaller and gray with a bushy tail. Their strong hind legs make them excellent climbers and jumpers, which is why they frequently access rooftops and chimneys.
Flying Squirrels
The Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) is the only flying squirrel species native to North Texas, including Dallas. Unlike tree squirrels, these nocturnal squirrels are rarely seen during the day. They glide from tree to tree using a special membrane between their legs. Homeowners often first notice them when they hear scratching or movement sounds in the attic at night.
Ground Squirrels
While tree squirrels dominate urban Dallas, ground squirrels are also found in Texas, especially in more rural or open areas. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) is the most common in North Texas. These squirrels live in burrows underground and are active during the day. Their strong claws help them dig extensive tunnels, though they are less likely to invade homes compared to tree or flying squirrels.
Squirrel Problems in Dallas-Fort Worth
The increasing squirrel population with a reduce predator population leads to human-wildlife conflict. This often happens when squirrels build nests (dreys) in your home.
Where Do Squirrels Live in DFW Homes?
Tree squirrels enter homes looking for shelter. Some types of squirrels can give birth to two litters in a year. During their breeding period, female squirrels can build nests (dreys) in attics or wall cavities. Homeowners typically notice these litters during late spring/summer and autumn.
In the winter, they are likely to invade homes and other structures to ride out the harsh winter months. Because they do not hibernate, squirrels build caches of nuts to eat. It’s not uncommon to find squirrel caches inside your home after the cold weather.
- Attics. Squirrels are well known for nesting in attics, as they provide a safe hideaway for squirrels to raise their young. The inside of an attic is also full of things for them to nibble and sharpen their ever-growing teeth on, like wood and insulation. This can create problems—when a squirrel chews the insulation on electrical wiring, for instance, the likelihood of a house fire increases.
- Gutters. Squirrels often choose gutters as nesting sites because they make a good foundation for a nest, and provide ample protection from predators—or at least those without wings. Of course, this superior nesting position comes at a cost—to the homeowner. Squirrel nests in gutters impede water drainage, cause water to back up and spill over onto siding, which can result in water damage over time.
- Ceilings/Wall Voids. Wall voids are, as it happens, a near-perfect location for mother squirrels to nest and raise their young. They are dark, rather warm, and removed from both predators and humans alike.
Squirrel Problems in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Most of the time, squirrels climbing through your trees are not a problem. Squirrels become problematic when they nest inside your house or on your roof. Squirrels damage your home and spread disease.
Squirrels can get into any style of home in any condition. Their sharp incisors can gnaw through most construction materials, and they only need a 1.5-inch gap, about the size of a golf ball.
How Do Squirrels Damage Attics?
Squirrels are always looking for sheltered areas to build nests for their litter. They gain access to attics by chewing holes above gutters or at construction gaps where dormers meet the roofline. Squirrels will also chew corners of trim or any weak area that gives them access to a shelter.
Nest Building. When squirrels take up residence in an attic, their first order of business is to build a nest—and they have no reservations about using your boxes and papers to do so. They commonly use bits of cardboard and paper as nesting material, which can create a rather distressing mess, especially if the items destroyed were of any importance.
Electrical Wire. Squirrels are old pros when it comes to meddling with human electronics (astoundingly, it has been shown that squirrels cause more damage to critical infrastructure than cyber attacks). One of the most dangerous habits of squirrels is their tendency to gnaw on electrical wiring since a frayed or broken wire in an attic full of wood and insulation increases the risk of a fire considerably.
Insulation Damage. Squirrels damage insulation by both using it to build nests, and by using it as a lavatory. As one might expect, this soiled insulation does not smell good and will need to be replaced.
How Do Squirrels Damage Your Walls?
In addition to nesting in attics, squirrels will often set up shop inside the voids of walls. Wall voids are dark, warm, and (hopefully) uninhabited by humans—the perfect place for a mother squirrel to raise her young.
Unfortunately, squirrels do the same damage in walls that they do in attics—gnawing on both wood and wires, building nests, etc.
Squirrels don’t always seek out a wall cavity. There are some materials like drywall squirrels cannot climb up. Baby squirrels can also get stuck inside a wall. If you hear frantic noises, call an expert immediately. You’ll need to remove the squirrels before they die.
How Can Squirrels Damage Your Roof?
Squirrels navigate their way through treetops seamlessly, so the pests have no problem climbing onto roofs or into soffits. Chock full of vents and joints, the roof is perhaps the most vulnerable area of the house to animals who want in. They can damage roofs by doing the following:
Gnawing. Most damage done by squirrels is a result of gnawing. Squirrels tend to focus on the roofline of homes—fascia boards, eaves, and soffits. Soffit vents are particularly vulnerable because they are often flimsy and lead directly to the attic. Squirrels’ razor-sharp teeth can even pierce shingles, which all too easily leads to water intrusion.
Nesting in Gutters. Squirrels are known to construct nests in gutters. This can impede drainage, causing water to back up and spill over onto siding, which can result in water damage over time.
Damaging Vents. Modern homes are full of appliances, many of which require vents to function properly. In their efforts to get into your home, squirrels can wreck appliance vents, further compromising your home’s barrier against wildlife.
Diseases Squirrels Carry
Squirrel damage is limited to the physical damage to your house. Squirrels in your house also introduce health risks. Some of the more common squirrel diseases include tularemia, typhus, plague, and ringworm. Other diseases squirrels transmit to humans come from the various parasites they carry. Rife with parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mites, squirrels living near homes frequently pass these tiny pests on tohumans and pets. Some diseases humans can get from the parasites include Lyme disease, Encephalitis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Squirrel Prevention and Control
Once a squirrel population has established itself, deterrents and repellents will not work! The best DIY squirrel control is prevention.
- Limiting food sources is one of the best ways to prevent a squirrel problem. Bird feeders consistently attract squirrels to your yard.
- Securing any gaps along your roof line, roof vents, or fascia boards can keep flying squirrels and tree squirrels out of your house.
How We Take Care of Squirrel Problems in Dallas-Fort Worth
Our process safely removes the squirrels, repairs the damage, and restores the area. The safest way to get rid of a squirrel is either a cage trap or a one way door. Our squirrel exclusion repair provides the best squirrel control. Our barriers are designed to stop squirrels from gnawing their way back inside. Our attic remediation process restores your home before you had a squirrel problem. It starts with removing squirrel nests, droppings, and food caches. Damaged and soiled insulation is removed. The new insulation will improve the energy efficiency of your home, dampen sounds, and provide pest protection. After our exclusion work, squirrels can be released harmlessly back into the wild.
Squirrels can be very persistent. They are rodents, and they constantly need to chew in order to keep their teeth trimmed. Squirrels can chew through materials like wood, aluminum, plastic, and drywall. For this reason, it is important to maintain a squirrel-free home even after properly sealing a property. For a guaranteed, peace of mind solution, speak with a Trutech Wildlife Professional today.