Pest Control Links Round-Up: New Year Edition
Don’t Let Birds Crash Your New Years Party
There are times and places where you can really appreciate the beauty and playfulness of birds. Unfortunately, your New Years party is not one of them… Read More
Plan for a Pest-Free New Year
Good pest prevention practices should be a year-round effort, and that includes early in the New Year. Efforts taken now can help ensure your pest free come spring and summer… Read More
How to Start the New Year Free of Pests
Pests could be furthest from your minds during the holidays, but they cannot be ignored any further in 2014. If you want the New Year to be pest-free, get rid of the following to prevent pest problems… Read More
How to Use Insect Repellents Safely
Make 2014 the year you don’t get eaten alive by mosquitoes, flies, and other flying pests. For a great article on everything you need to know about insect repellents, including: when should you use insect repellent, which mosquito repellent is right for you, how often should the repellent be applied, how the percentage of the active ingredient relates to its protection time, and other various tips, click here.
4 Lawn Care Resolutions for the New Year
Rather than give into the winter blues, take a few steps to prepare your yard and lawn for a cheerier and happier New Year; including pest inspection and detection… Read More
Bed Bug Check List For Renters
Thinking of renting a new apartment in 2014? Check out this bedbug check list for renters… Read More
Pest Of The Week: Squirrels
When I refer to squirrels, I’m referring to a huge family (Sciuridae) of rodent pests. Some of the most common squirrels found in the United States include: the Eastern Grey Squirrel, tree squirrels, ground squirrels, flying squirrels, woodchucks, marmots, chipmunks and prairie dogs.
These squirrels become pest control problems when they enter our homes, garages, and sheds. They build nests, birth their young, eat our food, and damage our property. The squirrels nesting behavior can cause significant damage to property, and even damage electrical equipment. These pests can be dangerous at times, and are known to bite if they feel threatened. Bites can result in rabies and other diseases. In fact, you don’t have to be bit to contract a disease from a squirrel pest; their urine and droppings can also spread disease. Additionally, some of these pests can spread fleas to you, your family, and your pets.
Most human encounters with squirrel pests occur in the spring months. These pests run low on the nuts and seeds they store and eat throughout the winter. Some of these have begun to sprout into plants and trees and are not available for consumption. Until replacement food options are found by the squirrel pests, they may become aggressive and even enter our homes and garages looking for food.
The rest of the year, squirrels will eat nuts, seeds, plants, cones, fungi, fruits, and other various types of vegetation. When times get dire, squirrels will also eat meat, other rodents, birds, snakes, and insects.