On the surface, squirrels seem friendly. You’ve seen people feeding them in New Jersey parks, sometimes right out of their hands, giving you the impression that these critters are cute and harmless. However, despite their adorable appearance, squirrels are still rodents and considered pests if they begin to hang around your property.
Squirrels can chew through various materials; if they get into your home, you expect them to cause damage. They love creating holes in siding and insulation and can mess up heating and air conditioning systems by gnawing through electrical wiring. Squirrels are destructive, and homeowners in New Jersey should approach them the same way they would any other rodent.
Read on to learn more about the different types of squirrels in New Jersey and how BHB Pest Elimination can help get them off your property.
The Types Of Squirrels That Hang Around New Jersey Yards
Even though you may not be able to tell the difference at first glance, there are many different species of squirrels in New Jersey. The most common types of squirrels that frequent the New Jersey area include:
- Eastern Gray Squirrels -These squirrels are notorious for going after backyard bird feeders.
- American Red Squirrels - Mainly inhabiting forests, these squirrels are more aggressive than most other species when visiting parks and urban areas.
- Fox Squirrels - Are the largest tree squirrel species in New Jersey and thrive around people, scrounging for food in parks and neighborhoods.
- Southern and Northern Flying Squirrels - Nocturnal and rarely seen, both these species have a membrane under each arm, a patagium, that allows them to glide from tree to tree when extended.
Although it may be entertaining to observe these animals, it is not a good idea to allow—much less invite—squirrels to wander close to your property.
The Diseases Squirrels In New Jersey Are Capable Of Spreading
While squirrels don’t have the reputation of being dangerous to human health like mice and rats, they do carry a few diseases transmittable to humans, such as:
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme Disease
- Rabies
- Salmonellosis
- Tularemia
Humans can catch these diseases through a squirrel bite or scratch or by coming into contact with their feces. In addition, squirrel urine and feces have an unpleasant odor and can ruin the outside of a property.
Effective Squirrel Prevention Tips For New Jersey Properties
If you don’t want to deal with these destructive rodents, here are several preventative pest control measures you can take to try and keep squirrels from accessing your New Jersey property:
- Install screens in vents and chimney openings.
- Seal any cracks or holes around windows and doors.
- Cut tree limbs back six to eight feet away from your roofline.
- Remove garbage off your property regularly, storing any waste in sealed containers.
- Keep food in airtight containers.
- If you have fruit trees on your property, dispose of ripe fruit immediately.
Squirrels are clever rodents, and in their quest to attain food, they will search high and low for ways into your property. Following the tips above should have them giving up on your home.
The Safest Way To Keep Squirrels Away From Your New Jersey Property
No matter how hard you might try to keep these pests from wreaking havoc on your New Jersey property, some things can go beyond your control. That is when placing a call to BHB Pest Elimination will be the best choice you can make.
With over 50 years of experience in New Jersey, the experts at BHB Pest Elimination are efficient at squirrel control. We will diagnose your squirrel problem, safely eliminate them off your property, and stop them from coming back. Contact us today and take this first step in getting your property pest-free.