You might expect to see squirrels scampering through parks, but in New Zealand, you won’t find a single one living wild. No squirrel species are native or established here, and bringing them in is banned to protect the country’s unique wildlife. If you’ve traveled to other countries and enjoyed spotting squirrels, you’ll definitely notice their…
Ever watched a squirrel at your feeder and wondered if it might go after baby birds? Yeah, squirrels can and sometimes do eat bird eggs or nestlings if they get the chance. Still, they usually go for nuts and seeds. Nest raids mostly happen when food is hard to find or an easy opportunity pops…
You can keep squirrels out without hurting them. There are actually some pretty effective squirrel repellents, and you’ve got options—natural scents, sprays, motion sprinklers, or good old-fashioned barriers—so you can pick what fits your yard, budget, and comfort zone. Let’s talk about how these repellents work, which ones actually help your garden or bird feeders,…
You can usually spot the difference between a squirrel and a rat pretty quickly if you know what to look for—size, tail, when they’re active, and the kind of mess they leave behind. Squirrels are those bushy-tailed climbers you see during the day, living in trees or burrows and leaving round, brown droppings. Rats, on…
Squirrels chew on wood because their teeth never stop growing. Gnawing helps keep those teeth the right length. They’ll also chew wood to make nests or hunt for food. Once you know this, it’s easier to figure out why your deck, fence, or siding has bite marks—and what you can actually do about it. Most…
You probably spot squirrels every day. Still, have you ever wondered if they could disappear for good? Most squirrel species aren’t teetering on the edge of extinction, but a handful do face real threats—mainly from habitat loss and a few other pressures. As you read on, you’ll see which squirrels are thriving and which ones…
Ever watched a squirrel zip across your yard and wondered if it’s a boy or a girl? Honestly, the fastest way to know is by checking anatomy during breeding season—males often have a swollen scrotum, while females might show off enlarged teats. But there are other hints too: size, behavior, and social habits can help…
Ever spot a squirrel with weird bald spots and wonder what’s going on? Usually, it’s a skin issue—mites (mange) or a fungal infection break the hair or make it fall out, though sometimes genes or other health problems are to blame. Let’s dig into why mites and fungi leave squirrels looking patchy. Weather and stress…
Ever notice squirrels chattering, barking, or even screaming around your yard? You might wonder what all that noise means. Most of the time, they’re not just making a racket for fun—those sounds have a purpose. Squirrels use their voices to warn each other about danger, defend their turf, and chat during mating or play. Basically,…
If you’re hearing scratching above your ceiling or noticing droppings in the loft, you’ll want to act quickly to avoid damage and extra stress. Check for runs, holes, and any odd noises to confirm if squirrels have moved in. You can set up humane traps or just call a professional to handle things safely. Seal…