Squirrels are members of the rodent family. The Eastern Gray Squirrel is the largest of all tree squirrels found in Nassau County, Long Island and is the most frequently seen squirrel. As the name suggests, the gray squirrel has predominantly gray fur, but it can be brown or black in color. Gray squirrels build nests in tree hollows and in the forks of trees, consisting mainly of dry leaves and twigs. They also nest in attics of Nassau County, Long Island homes, where they may be regarded as pests, and a fire hazard due to their habit of gnawing electrical wires. On Long Island, gray squirrels breed twice a year, in the Spring and again in the Fall. Normally, squirrels give birth to four to six pups, but this number can be as high as eight. The baby gray squirrels are weaned at seven weeks of age and leave the nest after 10 weeks. These squirrels can start breeding as early as five and a half months old and have a life expectancy of about 13 years in the wild. These squirrels have very few natural predators, which include raccoons, red fox, owls, hawks and snakes. It has a varied repertoire of sounds that it makes, including a squeak, a low-pitched noise, a chatter and a raspy to communicate with other squirrels. These squirrels are active during the day and if they have made their home in your attic, they can be heard scampering around in the attic at dawn and again at dusk. These squirrels are omnivorous and feed on tree bark, seeds, berries, nuts, acorns, apples, caterpillars, baby birds and insects. This rodent hoards huge quantities of food for future consumption. The gray squirrel does play an important role in reforestation, by hiding nuts and seeds in hundreds of different locations, which is called scatter hoarding. Scatter hoarding ensures that even if some of the food is found and eaten by other animals, enough will remain for the squirrel. Several of the squirrel caches are never found and sprout, growing into trees.
Long Island is home for Southern Flying Squirrels. Flying squirrels are nocturnal and are most active at night. This squirrel is a mouse-like gray color and has big black eyes. Flying squirrels do not actually fly, but rather glide, by extending their feet, they cause the large flaps of skin found along the sides of their bodies to stretch tight, forming a wing-like structure. Flying squirrels are omnivorous and will eat seeds, nuts, berries, lichens, leaves, flowers, birds, eggs and carrion. Averaging only about two ounces, they are the smallest squirrels found on Long Island. Flying squirrels make their nests in trees, woodpecker holes, nest boxes, abandoned bird nests and the attics of Nassau County, Long Island homeowners. These rodents can be heard scratching and scurrying about in the attic at night. Like grey squirrels, flying squirrels will also gnaw on electrical wires in the attic. Flying squirrels small size allows them to squeeze through the smallest openings in your Nassau County, Long Island home. Long Island homes in close proximity to wooded areas are most susceptible to inhabitation by flying squirrels.
Nassau County Animal Control squirrel removal wildlife trappers at DQ Pest Control remove squirrels from Nassau County, Long Island residences and businesses. Our rodent control wild animal removal experts use humane animal trapping techniques in the removal of grey squirrels and flying squirrels from your home, or business. Squirrels are considered to be nuisance wildlife, once they have taken up residence in an attic, chimney, garage, or shed in Nassau County. Squirrels will dig up flower bulbs, raid bird feeders and steal garden vegetables. Squirrels will gnaw holes in fascia board and soffits to enter the attics of Nassau County, Long Island residences. Squirrels in the attic of your home, gnaw on beams, ceilings and remove insulation from the attic. The most serious threat that squirrels in the attic pose is gnawing on electrical wires, which could result in a fire. Nassau County property owners, should contact the squirrel removal animal trappers at Nassau County Animal Control when they hear scratching, running, chirping and jumping noises coming from above their attic. Squirrels enter homes in Nassau County in search for a place to den and raise their young. Squirrels will also den in your chimney and sometimes come down an uncapped furnace flue and end up in the basement. Once inside your Nassau County residence, a squirrel will gnaw everything causing a great deal of damage. If you suspect that squirrels are living in your attic, chimney, garage, or shed, contact Nassau County Animal Control immediately for humane squirrel removal and humane squirrel trapping services. Initially, our nuisance wildlife rodent control operators will due an inspection of your dwelling to determine how the squirrels are entering the premises. Our animal control experts will humanely trap the squirrels in the attic. We will then send a licensed Nassau County contractor out to you, to give you a free estimate on any repairs that may need to be done to your Long Island home, or business as part of our wildlife control services. Nassau County Animal Control does Long Island squirrel removal and humane squirrel control, including Rockville Centre squirrel removal and Locust Valley squirrel trapping.
