Squirrels, Those Loveable or Rascally Rodents
Squirrels. People love them for their cute faces and adorable antics. People also abhor their marauding and pilfering ways in a precious garden. It seems that there is no in-between opinion.
There are five squirrel species native to Wisconsin: gray, fox, red, and two of the flying variety. Because of their nocturnal habits, the two protected species of flying squirrels are rarely seen.
The flying squirrels (Southern Flying Squirrel: Glaucomys Volans, Northern Flying Squirrel: Glaucomys Sabrinus) are the smallest of the species. The northern species weigh 4-8 ounces, but the southern species are only 2.5-3.5 ounces. They don’t actually fly, but glide from place to place. Their shy habits make them less of a nuance than the other species.
Gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are larger (16-28 ounces) and live throughout Wisconsin. They prefer mature hardwood forests where they feed on acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts. However, they are opportunistic feeders and will adapt to almost any environment, including urban areas, feeding on birdseed, garden vegetables, flower bulbs, berries, and other fruits. The infrequently seen black squirrel is simply a variation of a gray squirrel.
Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) are the largest of the tree squirrels (24-32 ounces). They are similar in appearance to gray squirrels, but the rusty fox-colored fur and larger size makes it easy to distinguish the two. Fox squirrels are common in southern Wisconsin, but are not as well adapted to urban areas. They can frequently be seen in fence rows and roadsides.
Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are a smaller (7-10 ounce) species more common to the northern pine forests of Wisconsin. They are a noisy, scolding, sassy squirrel that announce the presence of intruders to their territory repeatedly. They appreciate a good bird feeder and because of their small size can defeat almost any attempt to keep them out.
Many people enjoy watching squirrels dart from place to place and play with one another leading them to want to attract them. Be aware, that like any rodent, tree squirrels are prolific reproducers. They mate once in mid to late winter, then again in early summer, producing on the average 3 young per litter.
The best way to attract squirrels is to feed them. There are a wide variety of squirrel feeders, including ones that require the hungry squirrel to perform acrobatics to get the food.
Squirrels can be a nuisance if they enter structures. They chew the insulation off wiring, creating havoc in electrical systems and vehicles. They make a mess of housing insulation, using it for nesting insulation. Cover any small opening to the structure with one half inch hardware cloth and repair any rotted soffits or other entry points to keep these pests at bay.
Keeping squirrels out of a garden can be a never-ending task. Freshly dug soil is like putting up a sign that says “All Squirrels Come to This Location.” They enjoy unearthing the seeds and eating them. They take a bite out of apples, tomatoes, beans, squash, cucumbers, and other vegetables. They dig up freshly planted bulbs, dig up containers, and nibble seedheads. Putting some mesh over items to temporarily exclude the varmints until the plants have a chance to survive is an effective method. Unfortunately, most repellents are not effective. However, having a dog or cat around can do the job.
Ultimately, you must find a way to live with these lovable, pesky, and prolific creatures!
Carol Shirk
Certified Master Gardener