Researchers estimate that squirrels recover 85% of nuts they bury, mainly by smell. More....

A gray squirrel eats about 2 lbs. a week.  Put pole mounted bird feeders at 5-6 feet off the ground and 10 feet from the nearest jumping off spot.

Did you know that:

• The gray squirrel is Connecticut’s most frequently observed mammal.
• 66 squirrel species are native to North America.  Connecticut has six “squirrels”: the woodchuck, Eastern chipmunk, red squirrel, Eastern gray squirrel and both Northern and Southern Flying Squirrels.  All are active in daytime except the flying squirrel, which is nocturnal.
• Squirrels have a sweet tooth. For example, red squirrels may bite into the bark of sugar maples to start sap flowing.
• Flying squirrels are found in Woodstock.  They can cover 80-150 feet in a single glide. 
• In the original folktale, Cinderella’s slippers were made of squirrel fur, but a mistaken translation turned them to glass.
• A squirrels leafy bed is called a drey.
• Researchers estimate that squirrels recover 85% of nuts they bury, mainly by smell.
• Gray squirrels live 7-8 years, and up to 20 years in captivity.
• Squirrels can eat a variety of poisonous plants and mushrooms (like amanitas) without getting sick.
• Red squirrels hoard food like cones and twigs in huge piles called middens.  Some have been measured at 20 feet x 12 feet x 3 feet deep.
• Female red squirrels tolerate the presence of their mate for just one day in late winter. Maybe that’s because male squirrels take twice as long to groom themselves as a female.
• Flying squirrels will eat insects, birds and eggs, and may nest in bluebird boxes.
• Chipmunk burrows are typically 20-30 feet long, with a master bedroom, storage areas and separate escape tunnels.
• Squirrels use their tails to communicate, for balance, and to shade out sun or shed rain.
• A camel’s hair brush is really made out of squirrel fur.

Squirrel-Proofing

• Squirrels can inflict considerable damage to structures, gardens, insulation, and electrical wiring, and may leave fleas behind.  Never attempt to pet or feed a squirrel by hand.  They are wild animals, and will bite with their razor sharp teeth.
• A gray squirrel eats about 2 lbs. a week.  Put pole mounted bird feeders at 5-6 feet off the ground and 10 feet from the nearest jumping off spot.  Use a baffle on the pole/above a tree hung feeder.  If you have a second story house, put feeders on a pulley system. Use a cube within a cube suet feeder.  Offer nyger (thistle), or safflower seeds which squirrels don’t prefer. 
• Trim back tree limbs within 20 feet of your roof.
• Put “Ropel” (a nasty tasting contact repellant) on feeders or structures squirrels are gnawing on.  “Hinder” is a repellant approved for use on food.  Old timers used to grind dried hot peppers mixed with mineral oil and paint it on corn silk to deter squirrels.
• To keep squirrels out of attics and eaves, seal them with strong ½” wire mesh (making sure no squirrels are inside first!)  Squirrels may be repelled by the smell of mothballs.   
• If a squirrel gets in the chimney, drop a thick rope in to help it climb out.
• Put a pile of bricks or cinderblock in a water trough to keep squirrels from drowning.
• Wire mesh fences around gardens need to be two feet high and buried one foot underground.  Mixing blood meal with the soil may deter squirrels.
• Hunting gray squirrels is legal from Jan 1 - Feb 28, Sep 1 - Sep 30, Oct 15 - Dec 31.
• Trapping has limited effectiveness.  If you do trap, relocate squirrels 3-7 miles away.  A Havahart or Tomahawk trap is best, and can be baited with shelled pecans, peanuts, peanut butter or apple slices.  

For more information on how to manage problem squirrels or for a referral to a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator, contact the CT DEP Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3011.

Source:  Squirrel Proofing Your Home & Garden by R.M. Hart