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Gray Squirrels

Identification
Biology
Inspection
Control
Pro Tips

Identification

  • Gray squirrels are 16 - 20 inches long with gray fur, a white belly and a bushy gray tail fringed with white-tipped hairs.

Biology

  • Breeding period:  December-January and May-June
  • Gestation:  44 days
  • Birth period:  February-March and July-August
  • Litters per year: 1-2
  • Litter size:  2-8
  • Feeding period:  Day
  • Squirrels feed on nuts, acorns, and seeds, as well as tree buds in early spring and berries in summer. They love to raid bird feeders and will take just about any food that is left out for them.
  • Range

Inspection

  • Gray squirrels are the most common type of squirrel we will encounter throughout most of our service territory. 
  • Customers most commonly call because they are hearing are hearing noises in attics, walls, floors, etc.
  • Remember to use the information provided by the customer as a starting point for inspection. This may come from direct communication with the customer or the notes from client service detailed in the work order/proposal.
  • On initial inspection take note that most gray squirrel entry points tend to be at roof level.
  • Common roof level entry points include drip edge fascia gap, roof junctions, dormer corners, ridge vents, hat vents, power fans, gable vents and chimneys.
  • On the exterior look for chew marks and randomly stored walnuts on or around house.
  • When inspecting the attic look for droppings, tunneling in insulation, leaves and sticks and chewed wires. 
Squirrel Entry in the Gutter Line
Squirrel Entry in the Roof Line
Squirrel Droppings

Control

  • Trapping is the most common method of controlling gray squirrels.  Live traps and positive control traps are both frequently used.
  • Lethal traps may be used in some situations.
  • Baits commonly used include peanut butter, shell peanuts, ear corn, sunflower seeds and professional baits (On-Target Squirrel Paste, On-Target Pecan, WCS TreeBerry).
  • Exclusion to prevent squirrels from gaining access to dwellings will also be proposed.  Common exclusion includes: Soffits, roof junctions, dormer corners, fascia gutter line gaps, ridge vents, soffit vents, hat vents, power fan and gable vents.
  • Emergency animal removal can be an option if animal is trapped in a confined area or is inside the living areas of the home and has been seen or heard within 1-2 hours.
  • Prevention through pruning trees may be proposed when branches are providing access to home.
  • Yard maintenance and limiting food sources may be recommended.
Funnel Trap Set in Ridge Vent with Two Passive Baited Traps                    

Pro Tips

  • It is very common to find chew marks around squirrel entry points. Squirrels will even chew around pre-existing entry points.
  •  In winter months, hard to capture gray squirrels can be caught using corn as a visual in the back of the trap combined with a bait such peanut butter.
  • When trapping in the winter, use tracks in the snow to find entry points.
  • Even though red squirrels are more likely to enter at ground level, it may be possible for gray squirrels to do so also.
  • Activity reported as squirrels will often turn out to be mice in the home. Questions to ask include the time of day and what type of noises are being heard.  Squirrels are most active at dawn and dusk while mice are most active at night. Stationary noises are more likely to be mice; if running/scurrying is heard it is more likely to be squirrels.
Squirrel Tracks in the Snow