Squirrel eviction Services

Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

The Gray Squirrel is native to eastern North America and the most common squirrel species found in New Hampshire - often competing with and successfully dominating the smaller American Red Squirrel. The Gray squirrel is a common fixture in urban parks and at residential bird feeders, where it takes full advantage of food sources available and present. A prolific and adaptable species, the eastern gray squirrel has also been introduced to, and thrives in the western United States as well as portions of Europe, and is characterized primarily by its bushy tail and gray/brown coat. Gray squirrels can be a nuisance when they nest and harbor inside homes, and actively gnaw on a variety of structural items.

Gray squirrels are a scatter-hoarder species; meaning it hoards food in numerous small caches for later recovery. Some of these caches are temporary, and can be retrieved within hours or days for reburial in a more secure site. Others are more permanent and are not retrieved until months later - if at all. This cache behavior promotes forest and tree regrowth in the wild, but may produce lawn damage in urban spaces.

• Size (adult): 9.1 to 11.8 inches

• Weight: 14 and 21 oz

• Lifespan (wild): 1-3 years

• Commonly Found: Throughout New Hampshire in all habitat forms.

American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

The American red squirrel, also known as the pine squirrel, North American red squirrel, or chickaree is common throughout dense forests of New Hampshire. Smaller than the Gray Squirrel, the Red Squirrel voraciously defends its exclusive territory and feeds primarily on the seeds of conifer cones. The red squirrel can be very vocal, especially when defending territory, and is known for being very destructive to insulation and other building materials when the animal finds its way inside homes. In addition to gaining access via rooflines and soffit gaps, the red squirrel is also commonly found accessing older homes via gaps in stone foundations and dirt floor crawlspaces.

• Size (adult): 11–14 inches

• Weight: 7.1–8.8 oz

• Lifespan: 3-5 years

• Commonly Found: Dense Forests, pine & hemlock groves.

Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus & Glaucomys volans)

New Hampshire is home to two species of Flying Squirrel - The Northern Flying Squirrel, and the Southern Flying Squirrel. Short of variable size and color phases, the two species are very similar and can be found throughout New Hampshire. A cryptic species among most New Hampshire residents, flying squirrels are nocturnal, and as such are not observed by the public as readily as other squirrel species. Flying squirrels are the smallest of the common squirrel species in New Hampshire - ranging about the size of a chipmunk.

Flying squirrels do not actually fly, but rather glide using a fold of skin between their front and rear limbs. From atop trees or a stationary position, flying squirrels can initiate glides by bringing their limbs under the body, retracting their heads, and then propelling themselves off the tree. It is believed that they use triangulation to estimate the distance of the landing as they often lean out and pivot from side to side before jumping. Once in the air, they form an "X" with their limbs, causing their membrane to stretch into a square-like shape and glide down, maneuvering with great efficiency in the air. Although graceful in flight, flying squirrels tend to be clumsy walkers and if they happen to be on the ground in the presence of danger, they will prefer to hide rather than attempt to escape. A major food source for flying squirrels are fungi, lichens, mushrooms, most wild mast-crop nuts, tree sap, insects, carrion, bird eggs and nestlings, buds, flowers, and, occasionally, each other.

Flying squirrels become a nuisance inside homes when their small size and knack for sailing onto rooftops allows them entry into attic spaces and wall voids. Structural damage in the form of waste deposits - known as latrines - can be immense as flying squirrels will often congregate in colonies inside homes; particularly females during the winter months. Incessant noise as a result of their nightly activity is also a common indicator of flying squirrel presence inside the home.

• Size (adult): 25 to 37 cm long

• Weight: 110 to 230 grams

• Lifespan: 3-5 years

• Commonly Found: Tree hollows, forests, and attics or soffits of human dwellings.