SQUIRRELS

Squirrels – Order Rodentia. The gray squirrel is the most common species found in the Southeast United States. It inhabits both rural and urban areas. Some color variations appear but most are very similar in appearance. They can be quite numerous in some areas due to the over abundance of food and shelter. In these cases, they can pose quite a nuisance to people by raiding bird feeders, pet food bowls and gnawing on structures to gain entry to live, especially into attics and eaves. Trapping and exclusion repairs are then needed to eliminate the squirrels from these structures.

Tree Squirrels – Tree squirrels are common throughout the United States and can be found in both rural and urban areas. Gray squirrels, fox squirrels and red squirrels are the most common squirrels, but the color variations are numerous even within the same species. Squirrels typically feed on nuts and seeds and can be a serious invader of bird feeders where they tend to rake the unwanted seeds onto the ground looking for the desired sunflower seeds. They make nests of leaves in the forks of tree limbs high in trees but may also make nests in attics and crawlspaces of structures. When they invade these areas, trapping is typically needed to remove the squirrels and then exclusion repairs to keep them from returning are necessary.

Flying Squirrels – Flying squirrels are smaller squirrels than tree squirrels and are very seldom found on the ground. Flying squirrels are named for their ability to “glide” from tree to tree because of the fold of loose skin that runs from the front legs to the back legs on each side of the body which acts as a “sail” when the feet are spread out as they jump from a tree. They feed on nuts, fungi, fruits and bird eggs. They are only active at night. They will invade structures, usually the attic, where they will nest and raise their young. Trapping and exclusion repairs are necessary to remove these animals from structures.

CHIPMUNKS

Chipmunks – Order: Rodentia. Chipmunks are closely related to squirrels and can be found in the same areas as squirrels. Keeping to the ground instead of the trees, chipmunks feed on a wide range of food materials such as nuts, berries, bird’s eggs, frogs, insects, worms, and occasionally small animals such as young mice. They possess pouches inside their cheeks which they use to stuff and carry food items to their burrows found in the ground.

OPOSSUMS

Opossums – Opossums are common throughout the Southeastern United States. Adapting to any habitat, they can be found in both rural and urban areas. It is the only marsupial in the states. Marsupials are animals that rear their new born young inside a pouch of the females. When the young is old enough to come out of the pouch, they ride on the backs of their mothers until they grow old enough to keep up with her. Most opossums have gray fur and white faces, although the fur color may vary with different shades of gray. They can become invaders of homes looking for suitable food, water or shelter.

SKUNKS

Skunks – Skunks vary in size and markings within the same area. White and black are the colors most closely associated with skunks, but brown and white, gray and white and cream colors can be found. They feed on a wide variety of food items such as worms, insects, lizards, snakes, birds and frogs. They will also feed on human garbage where allowed to do so. They have the ability to “spray” a very foul-smelling liquid from glands in the rear near the tail, which they use to defend themselves from predators. They will typically “warn” of their being bothered by stamping their front feet on the ground. If this doesn’t work, they will turn around and lift the tail as the last chance to “get away”.

Coyotes

Coyotes – Canis latrans. Coyotes are found in rural, urban and metropolitan areas. They typically dig burrows or use the burrows of groundhogs or badgers as dens in which to raise their pups and to rest in during most of the daylight hours. They are mostly active at night but may adapt to daytime activities if necessary. Coyotes take a variety of food items such as mice, rats, birds, squirrels, chipmunks and food left around dumpsters, garbage cans, picnic tables and other such areas. They have been known to breed with domestic dogs, especially in Texas and Oklahoma. Coyotes are more common in areas where the wolf is not present as wolves, being a much larger animal, will readily kill coyotes. Only qualified people should handle coyotes. Trapping is typically needed to remove coyotes from an area where desired.

Beavers

Beavers – Castor canadensis. Beavers are the largest native rodent in North America. The adults are quite large with some weighing close to 75 pounds. They have large front teeth, both top and bottom, which they use to chew down trees used for food and lodge building. They are considered a pest when they destroy desirable trees and dam up streams which creates flooded areas that may not need to be flooded. Once an area is sufficiently flooded, the beaver will build a “lodge” in the middle which is used as living quarters. Trapping is usually necessary to remove beavers from an unwanted area and should only be done by qualified people.

Foxes

Red Foxes – Vulpes vulpes. Foxes are found throughout the United States where they feed on live prey such as mice, squirrels, chipmunks and birds as well as other food items such as fruits, berries, insects, lizards and snakes. They vary in size from 10 to 15 pounds as adults. The red fox is the most common fox in North America. They are found in rural and urban areas. They may form small family groups of less than half a dozen adult individuals. Most are solitary. Foxes can be a serious vector of the rabies virus and only qualified individuals should handle or trap foxes when necessary.

Feral Dogs and Cats

Feral Dogs and Cats. When domesticated dogs and cats escape their owners and live on their own without the need to rely on humans for survival, they are considered “feral”. These animals go to great lengths to not interact with humans and can actually pose a threat to people who approach too close or try to catch them. They will reproduce, with their offspring also becoming feral. Large groups of feral animals can become quite destructive to other populations of animals. Feral cats can become quite a serious threat to native bird populations by feeding on bird eggs, baby birds in the nests and catching adult birds. Feral dog packs will kill domestic dogs and cats, poultry and other small animals that they can catch, as well as attack the occasional human. If they attack a small child, they can actually kill them. Trapping by qualified people is the most effective way to control these animals.