Versus its gray squirrel counterpart, the red squirrel is half the size and probably twice as noisy. Even though they are small, red squirrels are very aggressive and territorial, commonly chasing gray squirrels out of their nests and territories. Red squirrels are quite common in Michigan homeowners’ yards.

They are approximately one foot long with tails four to five inches long. They typically weigh about seven to nine ounces. They have white bellies and change color depending on the season they’re in, reddish gray in the summer and orange red in the winter.

Most complaints from homeowners come from when they make their way into houses and burrow. They like to go into attics and wall sxpaces, building nests to stay warm. If a red squirrel is in your home, you’ll likely hear scratching and gnawing sounds beginning early in the morning and. They are early risers and very active during the day.

Red squirrels will mate in late winter and the female will give birth to up to five babies in the spring. They are born without hair and only weigh about an ounce. After 12 weeks of staying with their mothers, they leave on their own and become completely independent.

Red squirrels’ foods of choice include fruits, seeds and nuts; pine cones and their green seeds are preferred. They are commonly caught scaling bird feeders for seeds, aggravating birds and homeowners alike. Since they are territorial, they can scare birds or any other nature from coming near the feeders.

If you have a red squirrel terrorizing your home or yard, contact the professionals at Solidified Pest Control. We have the experience to locate, humanely trap and remove them, ensuring that they won’t return.