Which Squirrel is More Destructive? 
The debate is on over which squirrel is more destructive – the Gray or the Red? While both species are small, and often harmless, there are some key differences between them. Gray squirrels gnaw on trees and homes, while Red squirrels eat nuts, burrow holes in turf, and bury seeds. Both species are pests around structures. Tree squirrels can gnaw through telephone wires, chew into wooden buildings, and invade attics. They may also carry diseases that are transmissible to humans, and they are often infested with parasites.
Gray squirrels are smaller
The gray squirrel is one of the most common mammals in the United States, with a range of 0.4 to 2.4 square kilometers. It is smaller than its northern cousin, the red squirrel, but still highly destructive. These two species live in close proximity and have very similar habitats. While the male is larger than the female, the latter defends small territories around nests and dens. Gray squirrels’ home ranges overlap, with the males’ home ranges being larger. The size of each individual squirrel’s home range varies according to food availability, ranging from 0.4 to 2.4 ha. Adult gray squirrels are promiscuous and the females usually nest alone when they are pregnant. These associations are strong, lasting into the winter, when females are especially destructive.
This is not to say that you should not try to eliminate gray squirrels from your home. There are a few ways you can get rid of these animals. First, keep your trees and overhanging branches away from your structure. Secondly, keep your roof and soffits in good condition. This will help prevent gray squirrels from nesting in your building. Once inside, they’ll begin to cause damage to your home.
Red squirrels are more aggressive
A red squirrel infestation can cause a lot of damage. These rodents are known to make nests in your home and can chew on your electrical wires. If they become a permanent resident of your home, they may also start attacking pets and children. In addition to chewing on wires, red squirrels can also ruin your garden by robbing bird feeders, making holes in your lawn, and feeding on your plants. These animals are protected by law, so you can’t just shoot them or kill them.
Red squirrels’ reproduction cycle is based on where they live. In cold climates, females breed only once a year. Male red squirrels chase females in their territory and then return to their ranges to mate. The gestation period of red squirrels is approximately 38-39 days. Female red squirrels give birth to one to eight babies at a time. The baby red squirrels start growing hair about 40 days after birth and take a full 125 days to mature into an independent adult squirrel.
Gray squirrels damage trees
Grey squirrels damage trees in many ways, but one of their most damaging ways is through gnawing. The animal will strip the bark from trees and feed on the sap. The damage done by grey squirrels can kill trees, but milder cases can cause ugly scars that can serve as entrance points for other tree pests. The most common type of damage done by grey squirrels is ring-barking, which will ultimately kill the tree. These rodents are most likely to cause problems for young trees. They prefer to attack broadleaved trees and will gnaw on their bark. In some cases, this process will even stunt the growth of trees.
Other damage caused by gray squirrels includes eating song-bird chicks and eggs. Their presence reduces the fledging rates of song-birds by 15 percent. They also damage fruit and maize crops. They also eat seeds, which are commonly sown in orchards. And, of course, the gray squirrel is a major nuisance for homeowners and landowners. They can also damage telephone wires and enter roof voids. Moreover, grey squirrels are carriers of the lethal squirrel pox virus.
Red squirrels are hoarders
It’s not clear why red squirrels are hoarders, but scientists have found that they do. The behavior is related to survival, as squirrels are more likely to survive times of food scarcity. Hoarding behavior should also improve fitness. The same holds true for birds. Hoarding activity in red squirrels resulted in higher body mass, which may lead to better reproduction. However, red squirrels are not as effective as gray squirrels when it comes to regeneration of forests.
The types of foods that red squirrels eat are not the same for all species. In the spruce-dominated forest, the species hordes seeds in scattered piles. In the Arolla pine-dominated forest, however, the pattern is different, with an average of six seeds per cache. In addition to nuts, red squirrels also consume a variety of fruit and seeds, including pine cones. They also feed on insects and eggs. They will also eat mice, baby rabbits, and cast-off antlers.
Grey squirrels are invasive pest species
There are several reasons why humans consider grey squirrels as an invasive pest. These animals outcompete native red squirrels for food, space, and habitat. Additionally, they carry diseases that kill red squirrels but not grey ones. These reasons are the reason why eradication programs are necessary in areas where red squirrels already exist. Furthermore, humans are helping grey squirrels spread to new areas and displacing red squirrels.
While gray squirrels are beneficial to the environment, they can be quite destructive when they enter homes. These animals can chew electrical wiring and destroy important wood beams. These animals can also carry multiple parasites, threatening the health of humans and domestic pets. To keep gray squirrels away from your property, you should seal entryways to prevent them from making nests. You can also restrict their nesting sites by topping trees and pruning back overgrown branches. While noise deterrents may help control grey squirrel activity for a short period of time, they lose their effectiveness over time.
Controlling squirrels
Managing your pet’s behavior towards squirrels can help you control these pests. If you notice that they have begun chewing up things in your yard or causing a large amount of damage, you may want to consider trapping them yourself. Trapping squirrels can be a simple process, but it is important to understand state and local laws before taking this step. Moreover, traps need to be made especially for squirrels in order to reduce the risk of harming non-target wildlife. If you do decide to try trapping, use a peanut butter-based bait instead of a live animal.
Trapping is the most effective way of controlling squirrels. You can use live traps or cage traps, baited with peanut butter or other nutmeats. Once you catch a squirrel in the trap, release it outdoors. You must remember that squirrels have strong personalities, so it is not a good idea to chase them away. Instead, try to trap the animal and release it to its natural habitat.
1.
What are the two most destructive squirrel species in the United States?
Answer: The two most destructive squirrel species in the United States are the eastern gray squirrel and the fox squirrel.
2.
What kind of damage can destructive squirrels cause?
Answer: Destructive squirrels can cause damage to trees shrubs and gardens.
They can also damage houses and buildings by chewing on electrical wiring and insulation.
3.
How much damage do destructive squirrels cause each year in the United States?
Answer: Destructive squirrels cause millions of dollars in damage each year in the United States.
4.
Why are destructive squirrels so destructive?
Answer: Destructive squirrels are so destructive because they are looking for food and shelter.
They also like to chew on things.
5.
What can you do to prevent damage from destructive squirrels?
Answer: To prevent damage from destructive squirrels you can remove food and shelter sources from your property.
You can also keep them away from your house and buildings by trimming trees and shrubs around your property and repairing any damage they have caused.
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.
