Gray Squirrel

Sciurus carolinensis

Facts About Gray Squirrels

Gray squirrels are found all across North America and are the most common species of squirrel. Mating occurs from December through January. Gray squirrels typically live for 12 months, though some have been know to live up to 10 years. Unlike some of their hoarding cousins, Gray squirrels are opportunistic feeders and will take whatever they can get. They love nuts like acorns, walnuts and hickory nuts, along with fruit and bird seed. They might also feed on insects, bird eggs, mushrooms and other crops.

Damage Caused By Gray Squirrels

If these rodents are inside your home, barn, or garage, the noises and odors they create can become annoying. If they are nesting in vents, the blockage may create a fire hazard. It also becomes dangerous when they chew through electrical wires, as electrical appliances may short-circuit. They will also help themselves to crops in vegetable gardens, as well as freshly planted seeds. If a Gray Squirrel has a sweet tooth, it’ll strip the bark off of trees to taste the sap.

Squirrels can potentially carry diseases. Some of these include: mange, a disease caused by parasitic mites that leads to the deterioration of their coat; cat scratch fever, a disease that affects the lymph nodes; typhus, a condition that causes rashes and delirium; and rabies (although rare), a disease that causes severe damage to the nervous system.

Signs of Gray Squirrel Infestations

You might hear a chucking sound in your attic as they chase each other around during the mating season. Chewing, scampering, scratching -- you name it. These are common sounds you might hear. Droppings can be found where they enter and exit structures like your house, barn or shed.

Gray squirrel nests are made of leaves they find in trees during the summer and fall. They also nest with gnawed nuts, discarded shells, nipped twigs and sticks. Gray squirrels can cause damage to crops and vegetation as they are opportunistic feeders and will resort to eating anything they can get their hands on. Look for claw marks on siding, tunnels in insulation, or damage to stored goods from their urine or feces.

Identifying Gray Squirrels

Gray Squirrel Identification

A gray squirrel measures between 18 and 20 inches long with gray, white, or even black bodies.

Gray Squirrels In The Walls & The House

Most likely. You’ll not only find these rodents scurrying from tree to tree, but you’ll also find them hiding in rock crevices, burrows, brush piles, deserted buildings, chimneys, attics, and barns. This is an adaptable species, so it has become accustomed to living close to people. It’s not uncommon to find them strolling the suburbs or hitting city streets.

Frequently Asked Questions