What to Do If a Baby Squirrel Has Bugs?
What to do if a baby squirrel has insects? If you have a baby squirrel in your yard, there are a few things you can do to help it. First, you can feed it, clean it, and keep it warm. Once night falls and you don’t see its mother for at least half an hour, you can bring the baby inside. If you notice bugs, however, you need to bring it to the vet immediately.
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Keeping a baby squirrel warm
Keeping a baby squirrel warm if there are bugs is not as difficult as you might think. A heating pad or a plastic bottle of hot water placed under the squirrel’s body provides a consistent source of warmth. If a heating pad is not available, chemical hand warmers or microwaveable heat bags are good alternatives. You can also place a Q-tip in the genital area to stimulate urination.
Feeding a baby squirrel
If you think your baby squirrel might have bugs, it may be because it has not been properly cleaned. The first step in cleaning a baby squirrel is to make sure it does not have a scab blocking its mouth. If you see a scab, you can use a warm, wet cotton ball to mimic a mother squirrel’s tongue. You should also observe the squirrel frequently to see if it is hungry. If you notice it is not peeing, it is likely dehydrated and needs more water. If you notice any of these symptoms, take it to the veterinarian immediately.
Cleaning a baby squirrel
Oftentimes, fleas and other bugs infect babies, and fleas are the most common cause for baby squirrels to suffer from respiratory infections. To treat flea infestations, you can use a flea and tick medication or dip to kill these pests. Flea medication comes in powder, spray, dip, and shampoo forms, which you can apply on the animal’s fur and wash away with warm water.
Treating a baby squirrel with bugs
First, make sure to check for injuries. Next, thoroughly clean the squirrel with a no-rinse formula like blue Dawn soap or Instant Shampoo. This will loosen dirt, dissolve oils, and deodorize the squirrel’s fur. Check for parasites and other problems and take it to the vet. If it does not pee or urinate, it may be dehydrated. If this is the case, you should try to warm up the squirrel with water.
Keeping a baby squirrel out of a cage
The first thing to keep in mind is that a baby squirrel does not generate its own heat. Therefore, you will have to provide it with a heat source. The best way to provide this source is with a heating pad or a liquid heater that recirculates water. The temperature must be around 99 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also use a thermometer to create this environment.
Protecting a baby squirrel from a bite
When you first see a baby squirrel, you must assess its health. If you notice that it is unwell, take it inside right away. If possible, wear gloves and never handle wildlife without protection. Wild animals can carry zoonotic diseases and ectoparasites, so you must exercise extreme caution when handling them. Once you see that the baby squirrel is healthy, you can try protecting it from the bite by preparing a warm source of water or rice inside a protected area.
Reuniting a baby squirrel with its mother
First of all, if you find a baby squirrel, it is best to get it back to its mother as soon as possible. If it is cold, the mother squirrel will not take it back. It will think that it is sick or is dying, so she will not accept it back into the nest. Unless the baby squirrel has been injured, you should try to find its mother before touching it. The mother will probably not reject the baby unless it has been bitten by bugs.
How can you tell if a baby squirrel has bugs?
If the baby squirrel is scratching itself frequently has bald spots or has scabs and lesions it may have bugs.

Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.