Is that a bird’s nest in your tree, or a squirrel nest? If there’s a big, bushy nest in your tree’s canopy, it may in fact be home to a family of squirrels. Squirrels have engineered nests that can withstand the elements and keep their babies safe several stories up above the ground. If you think there’s a squirrel’s nest in your home, or you want a squirrel’s nest removed from a tree on your property, contact Pest Control Kitchener.
The most common species of squirrel in North America is the grey squirrel. The grey squirrel is an omnivorous rodent that feeds primarily on buds, seeds, nuts, and berries. It grows up to a maximum of 30cm in length and has a big bushy tail. Grey squirrels are either fully black or grey-brown in colour. Like other squirrels, greys have litters of two to five babies twice a year, once in early spring and again in late summer. Female squirrels build nests in anticipation of these litters. They will, on average, build as many as five nests during the year so that they can relocate if they no longer feel safe. Squirrels not only nest to raise their young, however. They also build them to hibernate and stay warm during the winter.
Like birds, squirrels like to nest in trees. They either build their nests in tree cavities or high up in the branches. The nests you are most likely to notice are those in the branches, called dreys. Dreys are made of carefully woven twigs, grasses, and leaves, layered together in a particular fashion for insulation and stability. Stability is an important feature considering that squirrels like to build them 60 feet above ground. Dreys are bushy and round in appearance. They look like large clumps of leaves that have loosely been woven together.
If you’re interested in removing a squirrel’s nest, it is best that you leave it alone because you risk harming some baby squirrels. You also risk being injured – squirrels will bite or scratch you if they feel threated. The animals must first be evicted before you touch the nest. If there is a nest in your home, you can make the squirrels leave by installing a one-way door to the entrance the squirrels are using to get inside. A professional can install this for you, or you can buy one from a hardware store and install it yourself. Once the animals are out, you can carefully remove the nest yourself while wearing a thick pair of gloves. If there are babies in the nest, gently place them in a cardboard box, and leave that box just outside the nesting site so that their mother can get them and relocate. For nests outside in the trees, you will want professional help to reach the nests safely.
The best way to get rid of squirrels is to hire a professional for help. A certified wildlife removal technician will have the tools and know-how required to safely and effectively remove any squirrel’s nest. The crew members at Pest Control Kitchener have experience in removing squirrels and know what to do in any situation. Call Pest Control Kitchener now for any squirrel concerns.