Those of you who have seen a squirrel run to the other end of your backyard may have asked the question: Are squirrels rodents? Small, intelligent, athletic, they swarm everywhere throughout the United States and take up residence in trees, attics, and even the odd garden shed here and there. In this blog, we will find the answer to a question and explore further details about Are squirrels rodents, what they eat, where they live, and most importantly, how to get rid of squirrels when they become pests. So let’s discuss a few topics that help you.
Why Squirrels Are in the Rodent Family
When people talk about rodents, most think of rats & mice, but squirrels are rodents too. This scientific division occurs due to the fact that all the major aspects of rodents hold true even in squirrels. What is most interesting about them is the fact that they also have two constantly growing incisors in their upper and lower jaws. These are the sharp front teeth that never stop growing, after which they keep sharpening against hard objects with constant gnawing by those squirrels to maintain them. This is a unique feature of all rodents; due to this, it is important to answer the question of are squirrels rodents. The answer to the same is yes.
Squirrels are a type of rodent. The group adds tree, flying & ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots. Which makes them different from rats & mice. Squirrels are small and have special-shaped teeth. They have a long tail, a thin body & strong back legs.
Where Do Squirrels Live?
You can spot them anywhere, but that depends on their type. The tree squirrel is the most common, and it constructs its nest primarily on a tree branch or, hollow trees and empty bird nests. You can frequently see their sl schon nests or crevices, as they call them, in parks, forests and even backyards, where they are placed in the forks of the larger branches.
Chipmunks and ground squirrels burrow complex systems in the open land as well as in grasslands or gardens. Squirrels are very adaptive. In rural areas, forests provide shelter and nourishment, whereas in urban areas, they can decide to live in the attics, roof voids, chimneys or even within the home insulation in case they get inside somehow. The question regarding where do squirrels live has no definite answer since they are mostly everywhere as long as there is a food source, trees or shelter.
What Do Squirrels Eat?
Many people ask what do squirrels eat. The solution is: a piece of everything, but they also have some favourite food items. Squirrels are omnivorous and opportunistic, i.e. they feed on whatever they get, according to time and food that is there. During fall, they feed on acorns, walnuts, pecans, and hickory nuts that give them the much-needed energy over the winter. They also eat throughout the year:
- Berries, grapes, and apples are some examples of fruit.
- Fruits such as corn, carrots and squash
- Seeds, mushrooms, roots, and bulbs
- Sometimes the eggs of birds and the insects are eaten, particularly by flying squirrels
To urban residents, squirrels may be infamous marauders of bird feeders, taking advantage of trash, even gnawing on vegetable garden plants. That is why, although the names of animals may sound close, as in the case of a squirrel question above, the fact is that, in most cases, the answer to the question of what squirrels eat is not always going to include what you had left on your plate.
How to Get Rid of Squirrels
Although it is interesting to watch squirrels but at the same time, they can irritate homeowners and damage their property by eating plants in gardens, chewing wires, and making their homes attics. Some of the major concerns of most homeowners in America on how to get rid of squirrels. These are some of the humane and effective ways of getting rid of squirrels:
- Seal Entry Points: Look around your house and seal off any access point that leads to gaps in siding or holes, particularly around the roof. Close with wire netting or metal cloth vents and chimneys.
- Trim Tree Branches: Removing branches within the 8-10 ft. range of your roof line will make it more difficult to access your home by air using the squirrels’ jumping.
- Use repellents: Utilise products that deter the squirrels, like sprays and traps, fitted with hot pepper, apple cider vinegar or commercial repellents that will make the plants and attics unappealing to the squirrels.
- Remove extra food: Get rid of nuts, fruits, bird feeders, & use squirrel proof bird feeders.
- Motion Deterrents: Use motion products like strobe lights or sprinklers that operate when set in motion, can serve as a deterrent to the squirrels.
- Mulching and Stones: Heavy mulch or decorative stones in garden beds would keep away the people who want to dig deliberately.
- Live Trapping: Use humane traps to transfer squirrels. Were this practice were to be employed, it should be carried out by the local regulations, and animals must be moved a long way away.
Making use of inhuman ways of getting rid of squirrels should always be a last resort. Poison and deadly traps are not only cruel but, most of the time, illegal and dangerous to pets and children.
Conclusion
And then, are squirrels rodents? Absolutely! Squirrels have long-growing, sharp teeth, a distinct classification within the rodent family and an amazing adaptability, which is the epitome of the Rodentia order. Get to know them more through their foods, habitat and behaviours; when the squirrels create a nuisance, you will understand how to drive away squirrels as well. You can have fun watching their acrobatics out the window, or you can keep them out of your garden with their inquisitive nature, but management needs to be done responsibly.
To read further information on pest control tips and remedies, rely on our experts at saynopest who can help you prevent squirrels in your home and garden!
